
What is a Trailing Stop Order? How to Use It Effectively in Crypto Trading
1. What is a Trailing Stop Order?
A Trailing Stop is a dynamic stop-loss order that moves with the asset's price in a favorable direction. Unlike fixed stop-losses, the stop price of a Trailing Stop adjusts based on a percentage or value set by the trader.
2. How Does a Trailing Stop Work?
As the asset's price increases, the Trailing Stop "trails" behind, locking in potential profits. If the price reverses and falls to the trailing stop price, the order is triggered to sell, protecting gains.
Example:
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You buy BTC at $50,000
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Set a 5% trailing stop
→ If BTC rises to $60,000, the stop price adjusts to $57,000
→ If the price drops from $60,000 to $57,000, the sell order is triggered
3. Benefits of Using Trailing Stop
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- Locks in profits automatically
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- Reduces risk of sudden reversals
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- No need for constant monitoring
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- Best used in trending markets
4. Potential Drawbacks
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- Can be triggered by short-term volatility
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- Not available on all exchanges
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- Requires proper setting of the trailing range
5. How to Set a Trailing Stop Order
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- Choose your trading pair
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- Set the trailing percentage or value
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- Confirm the order and monitor performance
Exchanges like Binance, Bybit, and some trading bots support Trailing Stop features for crypto traders