Introduction

As many of you will know, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and an increasingly wide range of other cryptocurrencies have become one of the most closely followed asset classes globally by investors and traders alike. This, combined with the ability to trade these assets using CFDs, has simply added not only to their popularity but also provided you, as a trader, the potential to add something new on top of what you already trade.

Its rise to a multi-trillion-dollar asset class has captured the attention of traders, investors, institutions, and even governments, as evidenced by daily updates within mainstream financial media.

Crypto’s appeal lies not just in its potential for speculative gains, but in its revolutionary structure, which means you are potentially trading a decentralised and borderless asset that operates outside traditional finance. Whether seen as digital gold, an inflation hedge, a future payment system, or simply a volatile trading opportunity, Bitcoin and its peers continue to attract attention.

As stated before, more than ever, traders can access Bitcoin and other cryptos easily through a variety of instruments, including crypto CFDs. These allow participation without needing to open dedicated wallets or directly handle tokens, particularly convenient for those already using MetaTrader platforms (MT4/5), where Bitcoin CFDs and other crypto products are increasingly available. GO Markets is leading the way, adding to its crypto offering and as with an asset class, we aim to provide not only the products themselves but also some assistance to those looking at these either for the first time or to expand their exposure into some of the lesser-known cryptocurrency CFDs.

As with any new instrument, there are essential things you must know, such as what moves the market, how the product is priced and traded, and how to manage the unique risks that crypto trading brings.

On a point of definition, it is worth referencing the term “Altcoin”. This simply comes from combining “alternative” and “coin”, and essentially groups together a broad and diverse group of cryptocurrencies with varying functions, technologies, and market purposes.

So, whether you’re just getting started or reassessing how you trade Bitcoin and crypto, this article aims to provide practical tips, insights into trading system development, and helpful resources to approach crypto markets with more clarity and control.

Cryptos versus Crypto ETFs, or Crypto CFDs – Why Trade CFDs?

So now onto market issues that may mean CFDs could be for you.

Extended Trading Hours: The crypto market on the GO Market MT5 platform is open 24/7, unlike traditional markets, there’s no downtime. Trading crypto CFDs lets you access this round-the-clock action without needing to hold the actual coins or use crypto exchanges. Importantly, with CFDs, your trading platform can be your single point of access for not only what instruments you trade already, but you can add crypto CFDs to your toolbox as easily as trading an FX pair or Share CFD.

Direct Exposure to Price Action: Unlike ETFs or crypto-themed stocks, which are influenced by broader market factors or business performance, crypto CFDs allow you to trade the price of the asset directly. You’re trading exposure to Bitcoin or Ethereum itself, not a blockchain company’s management effectiveness or an ETF’s structure.

Short and Long with Ease: Crypto CFDs allow you to go long or short easily. For traders looking to take advantage of changes in trader sentiment in EITHER DIRECTION, this is a major advantage of CFDs.

Lower Capital Requirements: CFDs offer fractional trading, so you don’t need to buy a full Bitcoin (or even a whole altcoin token). You can start small, even at a 0.1 lot size and scale your position as your strategy begins to show positive outcomes and confidence grows. Your leverage and margin requirement will be dependent on account type, and it is worth emphasising that, as with any margin trading, the risks are exaggerated as well as the opportunity. As with any trading, capital protection and appropriate trade position sizing must remain at the forefront of any trading approach.

What Moves the Price of Cryptos?

As with gold, which we covered in a recent article, understanding what drives crypto prices helps you trade proactively rather than reactively, with the ability to perhaps see the potential for risks and opportunities early so you can be ready if a set-up or time to exit may be imminent.

Before going into the major factors that move cryptos, it is worth briefly looking at the relationship between Bitcoin and altcoins generally, i.e. does a movement in Bitcoin necessarily mean a move in Altcoins?

As a rule, most altcoins are positively correlated with Bitcoin (BTC), meaning when BTC goes up, altcoins tend to go up too, and vice versa.

There may be a delay in altcoin movement, with BTC leading the way, especially in sharp market moves, although such moves may differ in relative % terms, particularly in lower-cost Altcoins.

Additionally, it is worth referencing the potential for changes in specific Altcoins should there be regulatory or protocol-specific news (e.g., an SEC intervention or reports of hacking, for example).

It is worth pointing out that some research should be undertaken on individual coin types prior to trading (as arguably you should ALWAYS do with any asset that is new to you).

The key factors are as follows:

1. Macroeconomic Sentiment: Bitcoin has increasingly behaved as a “risk-on” asset. It tends to rise when confidence returns to markets and fall during macroeconomic fear or liquidity stress. In good economic times, when perhaps investors have more available liquid cash and are happier to speculate, this could be a good time for cryptos. Also, in certain conditions such as increased inflationary concerns, Bitcoin as like gold, may be seen as a potential hedge. These narratives can shift quickly, but being in tune with financial news as well as what you are seeing on a chart may give clues as to how the market is viewing cryptos at any time.
2. Regulatory Headlines: As referenced above, Bitcoin and altcoins are highly sensitive to regulation. News from the SEC, European Commission, or Asian regulators can trigger massive market moves as the perception of risk changes. A single statement from a central bank, policymakers or rulings on ETF approval (As we saw with recent increases in crypto ETF offerings) can spark short-term volatility.
3. Institutional Adoption and Rejection: Any announcements of crypto being added or removed from payment platforms, ETF funds, or treasury holdings by major companies such as Tesla, BlackRock, or PayPal can sharply influence price in the short term.
4. Network Activity and On-Chain Data: Particularly for altcoins, rising transaction volumes, developer activity, and user adoption can signal health and long-term viability. These metrics are often used by crypto-native traders to assess potential.
5. Government Sentiment and Narrative: Clearly, and as seen since the inauguration of the recent US change in Government, any change in policy or inferences that regulation may be changed be whether tightened or relaxed, is likely to impact investor sentiment.

5 Practical Steps to Ease into Crypto CFD Trading

1. Start with a Demo Account: Just like with gold CFDs, crypto’s volatility is real and fast. Use a demo account to observe how Bitcoin or Ethereum behaves during major market sessions and how CFD pricing reflects this.
2. Start Small on Live Trades: Begin with minimum lot sizes. Crypto price moves can be significant even on small trades. Slippage, spread widening, and gaps (especially over weekends or during system upgrades) are not uncommon.
3. Understand Crypto-Specific Risk: Unlike gold, cryptos are (albeit rarely) vulnerable to hacks, chain outages, and delisting. While less relevant for CFDs, sharp price action can still result from these risks.
4. Watch the Clock Differently: Crypto doesn’t sleep, but some hours are more active than others. Overlaps of US and European sessions, as with many asset classes, tend to see higher volumes. Major moves will often happen around US economic data as overall risk-on, risk-off sentiment shifts.
5. Evaluate Altcoins Cautiously: If trading lesser-known coins, you need to be aware that these are often more volatile and news-driven. Lower liquidity and more retail speculative exposure can contribute to this, which can, of course, work both positively and negatively on price. Mitigate for this in your trading plan and intra-trade management.

Strategy and Risk Management Considerations

Define Your Strategy: Are you trend-trading based on technical levels or swing-trading based on macro narrative shifts? Crypto, of course, may suit, but trading consistency ALWAYS requires clear entry and exit criteria as well as discipline in the execution of your plan.

Adjust for Volatility: Use tools like ATR to set more realistic stops and targets. Bitcoin, for example, can EASILY move 3–5% in a standard day even without a major headline. Your system needs to reflect this.

Incorporate Trailing Stops: Once in profit, use volatility-based trailing stops to protect from profit risk. i.e. giving too much back to the market with a successful trade.

Use Breakout Confirmation: Altcoins, especially, are prone to false breakouts—often pumped and dumped quickly. Use volume, RSI/MACD divergence, or candle confirmation before acting.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Overleveraging: The temptation to “bet big” on a small move is real. But the reality of a 10% intraday swing should be enough to convince any trader to manage size carefully, as of course, risks are magnified with leveraged trading as stated previously

Chasing Hype Coins: Many traders lose by buying at the peak of any ‘hype cycle’. If you see price trending for some time or just hit a MASSIVE gain, you could be too late to the party. Have a plan to manage this potential risk.

Ignoring Broader Markets: Bitcoin does not exist in a vacuum. Its correlation with Nasdaq, yields, and USD strength is growing. Don’t ignore these intermarket relationships.

Trading Every Coin You See: Focus on 1–3 cryptos, learn what they are, what specifically moves them and anticipated usual price action. Once you have mastered these them perhaps add one at a time. Random entries based on “this coin might go to the moon”. This is not a strategy, it is a gamble.

Summary and Final Thoughts

Crypto CFDs offer exciting opportunities, but they also demand discipline, structure, and adaptability to manage risk effectively. The lessons from other markets still apply, including knowing what moves your market, having an unambiguous plan, and building confidence slowly as you execute both entry and exits.

Whether you’re trading Bitcoin or branching into altcoins, the goal isn’t just fast profits, but consistent, well-managed decisions over time with consistency in action so you can see what is working and what perhaps isn’t. As with all trading, performance evaluation is critical; only through effectively doing this can you refine what you are doing to move towards the crypto trade you can become.

Ready to start trading?

Try free demo Open account