How does AVL judge the top and bottom divergence? How long will it take to reverse after it appears?

AVL helps identify market tops and bottoms; top divergence signals weakening momentum, while bottom divergence indicates fading selling pressure.

Jun 02, 2025 at 04:56 am

Understanding AVL and Divergence

AVL, or Average Volume Line, is a technical indicator used in the cryptocurrency market to analyze trading volume trends over time. It helps traders identify potential tops and bottoms in the market by comparing the current volume to an average volume calculated over a specified period. Divergence, on the other hand, occurs when the price of an asset moves in the opposite direction of a technical indicator, such as the AVL. Top divergence is observed when the price reaches a new high, but the AVL fails to confirm this high, suggesting weakening momentum. Bottom divergence happens when the price hits a new low, but the AVL does not follow suit, indicating potential exhaustion in selling pressure.

Identifying Top Divergence with AVL

To identify top divergence using the AVL, traders should follow these steps:

• Monitor Price Highs: Keep track of the price highs on the chart. A new high indicates a potential top.
• Compare with AVL: Simultaneously, observe the AVL. If the price reaches a new high, but the AVL does not, this indicates a top divergence.
• Confirm with Other Indicators: To increase the reliability of the signal, use additional indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) or Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) to confirm the divergence.

An example of top divergence could be when Bitcoin reaches a new high of $60,000, but the AVL remains below its previous peak, suggesting that the upward momentum is weakening.

Identifying Bottom Divergence with AVL

Bottom divergence with the AVL can be identified by following these steps:

• Track Price Lows: Monitor the price lows on the chart. A new low suggests a potential bottom.
• Compare with AVL: Observe the AVL. If the price reaches a new low, but the AVL does not, this indicates a bottom divergence.
• Use Additional Indicators: Confirm the divergence with other technical indicators like the RSI or MACD.

For instance, if Ethereum drops to a new low of $1,500, but the AVL stays above its previous low, this could signal that the downward momentum is fading, potentially indicating a bottom.

The Timing of Reversal After Divergence

The timing of a market reversal after the appearance of divergence can vary significantly. Several factors influence this:

• Market Conditions: Bullish or bearish market sentiment can affect how quickly a reversal occurs.
• Volume Confirmation: A significant increase in volume following the divergence can accelerate the reversal.
• Time Frame: Divergence on shorter time frames may lead to quicker reversals compared to longer time frames.

Generally, a reversal might take anywhere from a few days to several weeks after the divergence is spotted. For example, if a top divergence is identified on a daily chart, a reversal might occur within a week if volume confirms the signal. However, on a weekly chart, it could take several weeks for the reversal to materialize.

Practical Example of AVL Divergence

To illustrate how AVL divergence works in practice, consider the following scenario:

• Bitcoin Price Action: Bitcoin's price reaches a new high of $65,000, but the AVL does not confirm this high, staying below its previous peak.
• Trader's Action: A trader notices this top divergence and decides to take a short position, anticipating a reversal.
• Volume Confirmation: A few days later, trading volume spikes, and Bitcoin's price starts to decline, confirming the reversal.

In another example:

• Ethereum Price Action: Ethereum's price drops to a new low of $1,400, but the AVL remains above its previous low.
• Trader's Action: A trader identifies this bottom divergence and decides to enter a long position, expecting a reversal.
• Volume Confirmation: Over the next two weeks, Ethereum's price begins to rise as volume increases, validating the reversal signal.

Using AVL Divergence in Trading Strategies

Incorporating AVL divergence into trading strategies requires a systematic approach:

• Set Clear Entry and Exit Points: Determine specific price levels for entering and exiting trades based on the divergence signals.
• Risk Management: Use stop-loss orders to manage potential losses if the expected reversal does not occur.
• Combine with Other Indicators: Use other technical indicators to confirm the divergence and increase the probability of a successful trade.

For example, a trader might set an entry point for a short trade when a top divergence is confirmed by the RSI and a stop-loss order above the recent high to limit potential losses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can AVL divergence be used on all cryptocurrencies?

A: Yes, AVL divergence can be applied to any cryptocurrency that has sufficient trading volume and price data. However, the reliability of the signals may vary depending on the liquidity and market conditions of the specific cryptocurrency.

Q: How does the choice of time frame affect the interpretation of AVL divergence?

A: The choice of time frame can significantly impact the interpretation of AVL divergence. Shorter time frames, such as hourly or daily charts, may provide more frequent but potentially less reliable signals compared to longer time frames like weekly or monthly charts, which offer fewer but more significant signals.

Q: Are there any specific tools or platforms that are recommended for analyzing AVL divergence?

A: Many trading platforms and charting software support the AVL indicator, such as TradingView, MetaTrader, and Coinigy. These platforms allow traders to customize the AVL settings and combine it with other indicators for comprehensive analysis.

Q: How can traders differentiate between a false divergence and a genuine one?

A: Differentiating between false and genuine divergence involves using multiple indicators and waiting for volume confirmation. A false divergence may not be supported by other indicators or may lack a significant increase in volume, while a genuine divergence is often confirmed by additional technical signals and a clear volume spike.