Is it credible to break through the intraday high point with large volume at the end of the trading day?

A breakout above the intraday high with strong volume signals potential upward momentum, especially if confirmed by technical indicators and institutional activity.

Jul 07, 2025 at 01:35 pm

Understanding the Concept of Breaking Through the Intraday High

In cryptocurrency trading, breaking through the intraday high refers to a situation where an asset's price surpasses its highest recorded value within a single trading session. This phenomenon often occurs when there is a surge in buying pressure near the close of the day's trading window. The significance of such a breakout increases when it is accompanied by large volume, suggesting strong market participation and potential continuation of the upward trend.

Large volume at the end of the trading day indicates that significant orders are being placed just before the 24-hour mark resets for most crypto exchanges. This can be interpreted as institutional or algorithmic traders positioning themselves for the next trading period.

Why Volume Matters in Intraday Breakouts

Volume plays a crucial role in validating any price movement, especially when it comes to breakouts. A breakout with low volume may suggest a false move or a trap set by market makers to lure retail traders into positions that will soon reverse.

• High volume during a breakout confirms strength — more participants are entering the market, which increases the likelihood of sustained momentum.
• Volume spikes at the end of the day could indicate accumulation by whales or bots preparing for the next session.
• Low volume breakouts are often rejected quickly, leading to sharp reversals that can cause losses for inexperienced traders.

Technical Indicators That Validate the Breakout

Traders should not rely solely on price action and volume to assess the credibility of a breakout. It’s essential to use technical indicators to filter out noise and identify genuine moves.

• Moving Averages (MA) — If the price breaks above a key moving average like the 50-period MA and stays above it, it reinforces the validity of the breakout.
• Relative Strength Index (RSI) — RSI values above 70 suggest overbought conditions, but if the price continues to rise with increasing volume, it might signal strength rather than exhaustion.
• Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) — A breakout that coincides with a VWAP cross can provide additional confirmation.

How Institutional Activity Influences Late-Day Volume Spikes

Cryptocurrency markets operate 24/7, but certain times of the day tend to see increased activity due to overlaps in major financial centers' trading hours or scheduled data releases.

End-of-day volume surges are often linked to institutional investors adjusting their portfolios before the daily settlement or rebalancing index components. These actions can create artificial demand that pushes prices higher temporarily.

• Index rebalancing — When crypto assets are added or removed from indices like the CCI30 or CoinMarketCap listings, large inflows or outflows occur.
• Futures contract settlements — Expiry of weekly or monthly futures contracts can lead to volatility and price manipulation around strike prices.
• Algorithmic trading strategies — Some trading bots are programmed to execute trades at specific times, potentially creating fake breakouts.

Practical Steps to Confirm a Genuine Breakout

To determine whether a late-day breakout with high volume is credible, traders must follow a structured approach:

• Check multiple timeframes — Look at the 1-hour and 4-hour charts to confirm consistency in direction and strength.
• Wait for a pullback test — After the initial breakout, observe whether the price revisits the breakout level and holds as support.
• Monitor order book depth — Analyze the bid-ask spread and liquidity levels to detect real buying interest versus wash trading.
• Use candlestick patterns — A bullish engulfing pattern or a strong hammer candle at the breakout zone adds confluence.
• Compare with broader market sentiment — If other major cryptocurrencies are also showing strength, it supports the legitimacy of the move.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes sudden volume spikes at the end of the trading day?

Sudden volume spikes at the end of the trading day can result from several factors including institutional portfolio adjustments, automated trading algorithms executing scheduled trades, or anticipation of upcoming news events. Additionally, some exchanges experience increased activity due to overlapping global trading sessions.

Can a breakout at the end of the day be trusted without confirmation from the next session?

A breakout occurring at the end of the trading day should be treated with caution until confirmed in the following session. Traders often wait for the next candlestick to close above the breakout level before considering it valid, reducing the risk of false signals.

How does one differentiate between organic volume and wash trading during a breakout?

Differentiating between organic volume and wash trading involves analyzing trade size distribution, exchange-specific anomalies, and blockchain transaction flows. Wash trading typically shows up as repetitive small trades between known wallets, while genuine volume appears more random and distributed across many participants.

Is it better to enter a breakout trade immediately or wait for a retest?

While aggressive traders may opt to enter immediately upon breakout confirmation, conservative traders usually prefer waiting for a retest of the breakout level. The retest acts as a second confirmation and provides a better risk-reward ratio by allowing tighter stop-loss placement.