Is it dangerous if the volume continues to be lower than the 5-day average volume line after breaking through the previous high?

A cryptocurrency breaking out to new highs with volume below its 5-day average may signal weak institutional support and a higher risk of false breakouts or sharp reversals.

Jul 03, 2025 at 12:22 am

Understanding Trading Volume and Its Significance

Trading volume is one of the most important metrics in technical analysis, especially in cryptocurrency markets where volatility is high. It represents the total number of assets traded over a specific period. A rising price accompanied by increasing volume often confirms the strength of the trend. Conversely, when prices rise but volume remains low, it may signal weakness or lack of conviction among traders.

In the context of this article, we're exploring what happens when a cryptocurrency breaks through its previous price high, yet the volume remains below its 5-day average volume line. This situation raises concerns about the sustainability of the breakout and whether such a pattern indicates potential danger for traders or investors.

What Does It Mean When Price Breaks High But Volume Lags?

When an asset's price moves above a prior resistance level or all-time high, it typically attracts attention from both bulls and bears. However, if this breakout occurs on lower-than-average volume, it suggests that institutional buyers or large holders are not participating actively. Retail traders might be pushing the price higher without substantial support.

This kind of scenario can lead to false breakouts or whipsaws, where the price briefly surpasses a key level only to fall back shortly after. Such patterns are common in crypto markets due to their speculative nature and thin liquidity at certain price levels. Traders should closely monitor these signals to avoid getting caught on the wrong side of a move.

How to Identify the 5-Day Average Volume Line

To analyze this pattern effectively, you need to understand how to calculate and display the 5-day average volume line on your charting platform:

• Open your preferred trading platform (e.g., TradingView or Binance’s native tools).
• Navigate to the volume section of the chart.
• Add a moving average overlay to the volume bars — usually found under indicators.
• Set the period to 5 and apply it to volume.
• You’ll now see a smoothed line representing the average daily volume over the past five days.

Once this line is plotted, compare it with the volume during the breakout candle. If the volume bar is shorter than the 5-day average line, it signals weak participation. This discrepancy between price movement and volume is a red flag worth noting.

Potential Risks of Low Volume After a Breakout

There are several risks associated with a breakout occurring on low volume:

• Lack of confirmation: Technical analysts rely on volume to confirm breakouts. Without strong volume, the breakout lacks validation.
• Profit-taking pressure: If whales or big players pushed the price up without significant follow-through, they might sell off quickly, causing a sharp reversal.
• False signals: Low-volume breakouts often result in fakeouts, where the price appears to break out but then reverses direction.
• Reduced liquidity: Lower volume can mean fewer buyers in the market, making it harder to exit positions without slippage.

These factors combined make low-volume breakouts potentially dangerous for traders who enter based solely on price action.

Historical Examples in Cryptocurrency Markets

Looking at past market behavior helps illustrate the importance of volume during breakouts. For instance, during Bitcoin’s rally in late 2020, there were multiple instances where the price attempted to break above $19,000. However, only those breakouts supported by rising volume led to sustainable rallies.

Similarly, altcoins like Ethereum and Litecoin have shown similar patterns. In early 2021, some altcoins broke out above previous highs but failed shortly afterward because the volume didn’t support continued buying pressure. These examples highlight the importance of watching the volume line alongside price movements.

How to Trade or React to This Scenario

If you encounter a situation where the price has broken out but volume remains below the 5-day average, consider the following steps:

• Avoid immediate entry: Wait for confirmation that the breakout is valid. Jumping in too soon could expose you to sudden reversals.
• Monitor subsequent candles: Watch the next few candles after the breakout. If volume picks up and the price holds above the breakout level, it might still be valid.
• Use volume filters: Incorporate volume filters into your trading strategy. Only take long positions when volume exceeds the 5-day average.
• Set tight stop losses: If you decide to trade despite low volume, use tighter stop-loss orders to limit potential losses.
• Watch order book depth: Check the order book for signs of real demand. Thin order books can indicate fake breakouts.

By applying these strategies, traders can better navigate uncertain breakout scenarios and reduce exposure to false signals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a breakout still succeed even if volume is below the 5-day average?

Yes, although it's less likely. Some breakouts may initially occur on low volume and gain momentum later. However, such cases are rare and require additional confirmation from other indicators or fundamentals.

Q: Is it always bad to trade during a low-volume breakout?

Not necessarily. Some experienced traders look for pullbacks after such breakouts to enter at better prices. The key is to manage risk carefully and not assume the trend will continue automatically.

Q: How does low volume affect different timeframes?

Lower timeframes like 1-hour or 4-hour charts are more prone to noise and manipulation. On daily or weekly charts, low volume during a breakout carries more weight and should be taken seriously.

Q: Should I ignore all breakouts until volume rises above the 5-day average?

It’s safer to wait for volume confirmation, especially in highly volatile markets like crypto. However, you can watch for other supporting factors such as positive news, macro trends, or improved order book depth before making a decision.