Bitcoin Trading 2024 – Tutorial and Platforms
Bitcoin trading has seen a huge surge. With plenty of volatility and price movements, it’s an enticing day trading market with huge trading volume per day.
This guide will help beginners learn bitcoin trading, outline bitcoin strategies and tips, plus highlight why a day trader looking for profit should delve into the BTC world. Use the list below to compare the best bitcoin exchanges 2024 and learn how to trade bitcoin.
Bitcoin Platforms
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1
Interactive Brokers
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$0$1001:50FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFMStocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, CryptocurrenciesTrader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentralCheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF -
2
eToro USAInvest $100 and get $10Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk. https://www.daytrading.com/ is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD.
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$100$10SEC, FINRAStocks, Options, ETFs, CryptoeToro Trading Platform & CopyTraderACH Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire TransferUSD -
3
NinjaTrader
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$00.01 Lots1:50NFA, CFTCForex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, CryptoNinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignalACH Transfer, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, ChequeUSD -
4
OANDA USCFDs are not available to residents in the United States.
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$00.01 Lots1:50NFA, CFTCForex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartistWire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, ACH TransferUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD -
5
UpholdTerms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$0$1CryptosDesktop Platform, Mobile AppWire Transfer, ACH Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Debit Card, Credit Card, Mastercard, Visa, Ethereum PaymentsUSD, EUR, GBP -
6
IQCent20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$250$0.011:500IFMRRCBinary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, CryptoOnline Platform, TradingViewCredit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments, Visa, MastercardUSD, EUR -
7
IGForex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$00.01 Lots1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFMCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread BettingWeb, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentralPayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD -
8
xChief$100 No Deposit Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$100.01 Lots1:1000ASICCFDs, Forex, Metals, Commodities, Stocks, IndicesMT4, MT5Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Credit Card, UnionPay, Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney, Perfect Money, Debit Card, Ethereum Payments, FasaPay, VoletUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF -
9
Capitalcore40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$100.01 Lots1:2000IFSAForex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures IndicesWebTrader, ProEthereum Payments, Mastercard, Visa, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Debit Card, Credit Card, PayPalUSD -
10
Plexytrade120% Cash Welcome Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$500.011:2000CFDs, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, CryptoMT4, MT5Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum PaymentsUSD, EUR
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- Interactive Brokers - IBKR lets you purchase and hold Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin at competitive commission rates and without needing a crypto wallet. Additionally, there is a range of other diverse assets to explore, such as crypto indices like the NYSE Bitcoin Index, as well as futures contracts like the BAKKT Bitcoin Futures.
- eToro USA - eToro US offers 24 tradeable cryptoassets, with just a 1% buying/selling fee added to the spread. Additionally, there are 80 different coins available through the broker’s proprietary wallet service. You can also practice your crypto strategies easily by switching between live and demo mode. Crypto asset investing is highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.
- NinjaTrader - You can get exposure to micro Bitcoin futures through the CME Group’s centralized exchange, which is highly regulated by the US CFTC. Micro contracts allow you to trade a fractional size of one Bitcoin, giving you more risk control and order flexibility.
- OANDA US - Cryptocurrency trading is offered via Paxos, a separate entity from Oanda. You can speculate on the world’s biggest cryptos by market cap. Commissions are lower than many peers starting at 0.25%. Through the broker’s partnership with Paxos, clients can spot trade cryptocurrencies on the itBit exchange through the OANDA native platform.
- Uphold - You can buy and sell 250+ crypto assets with fiat currencies or in crypto pairs using the straightforward mobile app or through Uphold's browser-based account homepage. This is significantly more than many rivals. You can also earn up to 16% APY by staking one or more out of 32 valid tokens, or send tokens to an external wallet.
- IQCent - IQCent offers 17 crypto pairs through its proprietary terminal, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Leverage on crypto CFDs is capped at 1:10, whilst binary options payouts vary by token but remain competitive. OTC assets, for example, pay out up to 95%.
- IG - IG's modest selection of 11 crypto CFDs trails top crypto brokers like Vantage which offers 40+ tokens. That said, it stands out with its crypto index, which tracks the value of the top 10 digital currencies by market cap and provides a holistic way to speculate on the value of the crypto market.
- xChief - xChief’s range of 5 cryptocurrencies paired with USD is smaller than most competitors. In addition, the average BTCUSD spread of 30 pips is not the cheapest. That said, the broker does offer some useful crypto trading guides for beginners.
- Capitalcore - Capitalcore allows traders to speculate on the price movements of just five cryptocurrencies through CFDs. Popular options like Bitcoin (BTC/USD), Ethereum (ETH/USD), and Litecoin (LTC/USD) are available. However, unlike competitors like eToro, you cannot purchase the underlying crypto directly.
- Plexytrade - Plexytrade lets traders capitalize on the inherent volatility of the cryptocurrency market by offering leveraged trading on 5 popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. However, the threadbare offering of digital tokens seriously trails leading brokers like Eightcap with its 100+ crypto derivatives.
Interactive Brokers
"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Interactive Brokers Quick Facts
| Coins | BTC, LTC, ETH, XRP |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | 0.12%-0.18% |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Regulator | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF |
Pros
- The TWS platform has clearly been built for intermediate and advanced traders and comes with over 100 order types and a reliable real-time market data feed that rarely goes offline.
- The new IBKR Desktop platform takes the best of TWS while adding bespoke tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to create a genuinely impressive trading experience for day traders at every level.
- IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.
Cons
- IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
- Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.
- You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
eToro USA
"eToro remains a top pick for traders looking for leading social investing and copy trading services. With a low deposit, zero commissions and an intuitive platform, the broker will meet the needs of newer day traders."
eToro USA Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | Invest $100 and get $10 |
|---|---|
| Coins | BTC, ETH, BCH, DASH, LTC, ETC, MIOTA, XLM, EOS, NEO, ZEC, XTZ, MKR, COMP, LINK, UNI, YFI, DOGE, AAVE, ALGO, MANA, ENJ, BAT, MATIC, FLR, SHIBxM |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | BTC 0.75% |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Platforms | eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Regulator | SEC, FINRA |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- The low minimum deposit and straightforward account opening process means beginners can get started quickly
- The online broker offers an intuitive social investment network with straightforward copy trading on cryptos
- A free demo account means new users and prospective day traders can try the broker risk-free
Cons
- There's a narrower range of day trading instruments available compared to competitors, with only stocks, ETFs and cryptos
- There's no MetaTrader 4 platform integration for traders who are accustomed to using third-party charting tools
- Average fees may cut into the profit margins of day traders
NinjaTrader
"NinjaTrader continues to meet the demands of active futures traders looking for low fees and premium analysis tools. The platform hosts top-rate charting features including hundreds of indicators and 10+ chart types."
NinjaTrader Quick Facts
| Coins | BTC |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | Floating |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Regulator | NFA, CFTC |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- Low fees are offered, with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract
- Traders can get free platform access and trade simulation capabilities in the unlimited demo
- NinjaTrader is a widely respected and award-winning futures broker and is heavily authorized by the NFA and CFTC
Cons
- Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
- The premium platform tools come with an extra charge
- There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods
OANDA US
"OANDA remains an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."
OANDA US Quick Facts
| Coins | BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, PAXG, LINK, UNI, AAVE |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | $100 |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Platforms | OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Regulator | NFA, CFTC |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- The proprietary OANDA web platform continues to deliver a highly competitive charting environment, including 65+ technical indicators powered by TradingView
- The broker offers a transparent pricing structure with no hidden charges
- The broker's API facilitates access to 25 years of deep historical data and rates from 200+ currencies
Cons
- There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported
- The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
- It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends
Uphold
"Uphold remains a top choice for crypto investors looking for a one-stop-shop solution to accessing the markets. There are over 250 tokens to buy, sell and trade through flexible platform options."
Uphold Quick Facts
| Coins | BTC, BTCO, AAVE, ALCX, DYDX, INH, XYO, API3, GHST, LSK, AUDIO, GLMR, NMR, CAKE, GODS, REQ, CHR, TRB, DAO, ROOK, XRP, ETH, BAT, ADA, ALGO, ATOM, AVAX, AXS, BCH, BAL, BTG, CSPR, COMP, CRV, DASH, DCR, DGB, DOGE, DOT, EGLD and many more |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | Up to 1.5% |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | Yes |
| Platforms | Desktop Platform, Mobile App |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- Fees are competitive based on tests, with 26 underlying platforms helping to source the best prices
- Two-step authentication bolsters user security
- Uphold continues to remain ahead of the industry, often being one of the first platforms to list new crypto tokens
Cons
- The charting analysis features on the platform trail specialist exchanges
- There is a 2.49% fee if you want to use debit or credit cards
- Customer service is slow based on tests, with limited contact options
IQCent
"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "
IQCent Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| Coins | BTC, ETH, LTC, ETC, DOGE, MATIC, QNT, SOL, XRP, USDT, XMR, BNB |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | Variable |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Platforms | Online Platform, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $250 |
| Regulator | IFMRRC |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- There's an accessible $0.01 minimum stake for new day traders with a small budget
- The proprietary terminal offers TradingView-powered charts which deliver dozens of technical indicators and studies
- IQCent is one of the few binary options brokers that also offers a copy trading service for hands-off traders
Cons
- The broker is not overseen by a respected regulator, though this is common among binary options firms
- There's no automated trading support for algo traders
- The market analysis is very basic with limited technical summaries and insights from analysts
IG
"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform, best-in-class education for beginners, advanced charting tools bolstered by its recent TradingView integration, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
IG Quick Facts
| Coins | BTC, BCH, LTC, ETH, ADA, DOT, DOGE, LINK, UNI, XLM |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | Variable |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Platforms | Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- The proprietary web-based platform continues to caters to traders of all levels, with advanced charting tools and real-time market data useful for day trading, while IG has also added TradingView integration.
- IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis.
- The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met.
Cons
- IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.
- IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
- Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests.
xChief
"xChief continues to prove popular with investors looking to trade highly leveraged CFDs on the popular MetaTrader platforms. The broker's rebate scheme and investment accounts will particularly appeal to seasoned traders. However, the lack of top-tier regulatory oversight is a major drawback."
xChief Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | $100 No Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| Coins | BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC, XRP |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | Variable |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Regulator | ASIC |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF |
Pros
- The low minimum deposit of $10 will appeal to beginners, as well as the beginners’ guides in the Library
- The broker offers a turnover rebate scheme geared towards active investors, as well as trading credits and several other occasional bonuses
- xChief delivers a high-quality day trading environment via the MT4 and MT5 platforms, with market-leading charts, indicators and tools
Cons
- xChief is an offshore broker with weak regulatory oversight from the VFSC, so traders will receive limited safeguards
- The broker trails competitors when it comes to research tools and educational resources
- The Classic+ and Cent accounts provide access to fewer instruments than the other account types, at 50+ and 35+, respectively
Capitalcore
"The major selling points of Capitalcore are its high leverage options up to 1:2000 and zero commission or swap fees. However, its weak regulatory oversight from the IFSA and non-existent education place it far behind the top brokers."
Capitalcore Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500 |
|---|---|
| Coins | BTC, ETH, BCH, XRP, LTC |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | $45 |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Platforms | WebTrader, Pro |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Regulator | IFSA |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- The support team are available 24/7 and responded within minutes during testing with helpful responses.
- Unlike most brokers, Capitalcore offers an unlimited demo account that takes under 5 minutes to open.
- Capitalcore is one of the only brokers to charge zero swap fees, which may appeal to Islamic traders looking to comply with Islamic Finance.
Cons
- Capitalcore’s threadbare education and research seriously trail category leaders like IG, making it less suitable for aspiring traders.
- Capitalcore is not regulated by major financial authorities and has an unproven reputation, raising concerns about the safety of client funds.
- The web platform was inconsistent during testing, with occasional technical glitches that meant the trading platform wouldn’t load.
Plexytrade
"Plexytrade is a newcomer in the brokerage scene with attention-grabbing features like 1:2000 leverage, zero spreads on select instruments and fast execution speeds of less than 46 milliseconds. However, the absence of regulation is a significant concern, while the non-existent research and educational tools place it far behind industry frontrunners."
Plexytrade Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 120% Cash Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|
| Coins | BTC, ETH, LTC, SOL, XRP |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | 1.1 |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- There are various VPS packages starting from $50 per month, but they become complimentary once specific deposit thresholds are reached.
- Despite lacking regulation, Plexytrade provides negative balance protection and reinforces safety protocols by holding client funds in segregated accounts.
- Plexytrade accommodates a range of trading methods and short-term strategies, including scalping, hedging, and automated trading.
Cons
- Plexytrade lacks regulation in major jurisdictions, significantly increasing the risks of opening an account and depositing funds.
- There are no social or copy trading features for inexperienced traders to replicate the trades of more experienced investors, trailing category leaders like eToro.
- There are no research and educational materials, falling short of alternatives like IG, while access to the economic calendar is restricted to clients with balances of $500.
What Is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is part of the emerging cryptocurrency market. Whilst cash is made of paper, bitcoins are basically clumps of data. Scrapping the bank or governmental middle man that act as an intermediary for your money, cryptocurrencies enable the transfer of money directly between individuals, utilising secure blockchain technology.
The blockchain is a secure ledger of transactions. Digital coins can be mined by processing complex mathematical algorithms.
The blockchain network records each transaction, securing the entire process – but crucially – speeding it up. Charges are made per transaction.
Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency to utilise the technology, and subsequent growing pains have led to ‘forks’ in the process. This resulted in the introduction of Bitcoin Cash. Other currencies then tried to improve the process, both in terms of speed, but also, costs and energy requirements. Ripple, Ethereum and Litecoin all claim to be superior to Bitcoin.
The vast wealth of bitcoins are held in the hands of a few, so bitcoin is bought in fractions as low as one-hundredth of a million, which equates to just less than one-tenth of a cent currently.
This means anyone can dabble and explains the boom in bitcoin trading volume per day.
The current cryptocurrency market is estimated to be worth around $1.7 trillion, down from almost $3 trillion at the top. The market cap of bitcoin is $900 billion. This makes day trading bitcoin an appealing proposition.
Bitcoin makes up half of the cryptocurrency market and Roger Ver, Bitcoins CEO, believes ‘it’s the dawn of a better, more free world’. Whilst that remains to be seen, it does have certain attributes that make it tempting for those looking to make money day trading bitcoin.
Why Day Trade Bitcoin?
- Never a dull moment – With swings of over 10% in a matter of hours, this volatile market should give you the chance to find traceable action, and a potential profit for a savvy bitcoin day trader. Put simply – it’s an exciting market to day trade in. So unless you hand over your trust to a day trading bitcoin bot, you’ll have fun glued to the screen.
- Ideal for those comfortable with Forex – You don’t need to understand the complex technical world of cryptocurrencies and bitcoin. It’s basically a currency, enabling you to apply the same thought processes when you’re day trading bitcoin as you would when you’re day trading Forex.
- Potential for leveraged trading – Some bitcoin exchanges offer leveraged trading, which could give you greater exposure to upside and downside price risk than your trading budget may normally allow.
- Universal access – You can start day trading bitcoins anywhere on the planet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You simply need an internet connection. Plus, because you’re day trading you don’t need to have a long term view about whether cryptocurrencies will succeed. In addition, whilst the stock market can be a pricey place for normal investors, with Facebook and Apple shares costing around £110 per share, you can dive into the cryptocurrency market with just a dollars or pounds.
- Low day trading bitcoin fees and taxes – Compared to many traditional exchanges, bitcoin focused exchanges offer low fees and minimums.
- Go Long or short – Each day is different, you can be bullish and bearish the same week.
Bitcoin Wallet
To actually own bitcoin (rather than speculate on the price), you need a digital wallet to store your cryptocurrency. There are a whole range of wallet providers out there, but we like Coinbase. It offers higher levels of security than most and is backed by large, regulated brokers.
What You’ll Need To Start Trading
So you want to make money day trading bitcoin? Now you understand why to trade and what you’re trading, but here’s a bit more detail on the how – it’s a “Trading Bitcoin For Beginners” step by step guide:
How To Trade Bitcoin Step 1 – Find out the price
One of the first things you’ll need to know is what the price is. To do that you’ll need to head over to an index or exchange to see the latest traded value. You can also use orders – open orders or limit orders – to enter the market at the point you want to.
Step 2 – Pick an exchange
One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is which exchange or brokerage to deposit funds with. Day trading bitcoin on Bitmex or Coinbase has become particularly popular in recent years. However, there are other choices too, including:
- Bitfinex
- Bitstamp
- Kraken
- BTC-e
- GDAX
- Luno
Away from the direct exchanges, there are also firms that will allow you to trade the underlying asset of Bitcoin, without actually owning it. It can for example, be traded within a forex pair against the US dollar. Other exchanges, such as IQ Option, will also allow you to speculate on bitcoin via CFDs or spread bets. Our list of top Bitcoin brokers will show which firms offer one-click trading of BTC.
It’s also worth considering brokers that accept Bitcoin payments. These firms offer the seamless management and funding of BTC trading portfolios by reducing transfer charges and processing efforts.
Step 3 – Capital
Before you can make money day trading bitcoin you’ll need some capital to start with. The internet is packed full of warnings about losing all your money so let’s keep this brief.
Whilst you find your feet, using a small amount is advisable. It’s also worth highlighting that you should never trade more than you’re willing to lose. Be strict and regimented with what you can and can’t afford to lose, and you’ll never need to worry about losing out to the cryptocurrency market.
Useful tip – If you’re using credit cards, you may get charged up to 3.99%, so keep an eye out for credit cards that offer 3% cash back so you can negate part of the cost.
Step 4 – Bitcoin strategies
Rodger Federer doesn’t step onto the tennis court without a clear strategy for how to beat his opponent, and you shouldn’t start day trading Bitcoin without one either. Some people seek the assistance of a Bitcoin day trading bot; others rely on their technical analysis and judgement.
Nearly all Bitcoin day trading tutorials will suggest you utilise price charts and have an effective money management strategy. This will help you keep losses at a minimum and profits high.
Reading the charts
Whilst you will find an abundance of line and bar charts, don’t make them your bread and butter. Candlestick charts offer you the most information in the smallest amount of space. From them you can learn several essential bits of information:
- What was the price when it opened and closed.
- How high the price got during the time frame, as well as how low it dropped.
- If the candlestick is green, then you know the price closed higher than when it opened.
- When it’s red, it tells you it closed lower than when it opened.
- If the chart is mostly green and heading upwards, you’re in an upwards trend.
- You know if the chart is mostly red, you’re in a downwards trend.
When using your chart ensure you have the right timeframe settings. For day trading bitcoins you want charts that are between 1-30 minutes.
If you want to make money day trading bitcoin you’ll need to get familiar with candlesticks and their indicators (see example below). It isn’t uncommon for bitcoin to fall into a repetitive trend for months on end. If three of the last four candlesticks have been red, then there’s a good chance it’s going to carry on heading that way, unless the RSI suggests it’s been seriously oversold.
On Balance Volume Indicator
Whether you were day trading bitcoin in 2015, or day trading it now in 2024, consider using the on balance volume (OBV) indicator. It utilises an intelligent combination of price and volume activity to tell you what is the total money flowing in and out of the market currently.
How do you apply it to Bitcoin? If bitcoin trading is on the rise whilst the OBV trading is heading south, then you know people are selling into this rally, however a move to the upside would not be sustainable. The same logic can be applied in reverse.
News
Another one of our top tips – It is imperative you utilise multiple news sources. Bitcoin value is extremely reliant on public perception, so news events can trigger spikes. Some of the most useful and user friendly news sources out there are:
- CryptoCoinsNews
- Bitcoin Magazine
- Coindesk
- The Street
- Coin Telegraph
- Business Insider
- Brave New Coin
- CNBC
When it comes to useful bitcoin day trading tips, many suggest that if there is zero negative news about bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general, then it could well be the right time to sell. On the flip side, if there’s positive news then it could be time to buy.
Use this is a broad guide for day trading bitcoin and you’ll avoid some pitfalls and utilise some opportunities, hopefully making for a substantial bitcoin day trading profit.
Risks
Trading bitcoin for beginners introduces numerous risks – traders must be aware of them before putting money on the line. Learning bitcoin trading can involve expensive mistakes, so this list of risks with hopefully offer new traders some tips to avoid the pitfalls:
- Regulation – Bitcoins and cryptocurrencies are relatively new, making their future somewhat uncertain. People don’t know how governments will react further down the line and how stringent regulations will be. Could regulations cripple the market entirely?
- Dangers of volatility – Bitcoin is the most volatile of all assets, including the stock and gold markets. Whilst volatility brings with it opportunity to day trade bitcoin for a profit, it also brings with it doubt and unpredictability. For example, in June 2017 bitcoin was being traded at $2,983. It then lost 30% in value and crashed down to $1,992, only to climb up to $4,764 in September, boasting a 139% gain. You must ensure your bitcoin day trading strategies take into account the uncertainty.
- Exchange risk – Whilst your Bitcoins can’t disappear, the transactions you do are permanent and only the recipient can refund them. This means you must only do business with those you either know, trust or are widely reputable.
- Fees / Charges – If buying and selling Bitcoin directly, transactions costs can vary wildly. This can be a wider complaint with the concept as a whole, but for intraday traders making multiple trades, it is a significant risk. CFDs and binary options (or any derivative) can mitigate this risk.
- Margin Trading – Derivates can often be traded on margin. While this can increase profit potential, it also increases the risk. Losses can exceed deposits when trading on margin.
Last Words
The cryptocurrency market and bitcoin, in particular, are an exciting market for the aspiring day trader. Whilst there is understandable uncertainty, fortune favours the brave, and with these day trading bitcoin tips at your disposal, there’s serious potential profit to be made. Demo Accounts offer a risk free way to learn how to trade Bitcoin.