How can I use MAVOL to confirm a breakout?

MAVOL helps confirm crypto breakouts by showing if volume exceeds the average, indicating strong market conviction behind price moves.

Jul 31, 2025 at 11:38 pm

Understanding MAVOL and Its Role in Technical Analysis

MAVOL, short for Moving Average of Volume, is a technical indicator that calculates the average trading volume over a specified number of periods. Unlike price-based moving averages, MAVOL focuses solely on volume trends, offering insights into the strength or weakness behind price movements. Traders use MAVOL to assess whether a price breakout is supported by significant volume, which increases the likelihood of the breakout being valid. When volume rises above the MAVOL line during a breakout, it suggests strong market participation. Conversely, a breakout with volume below MAVOL may indicate a lack of conviction and a higher chance of failure.

Identifying Breakout Patterns with Price and Volume Alignment

A breakout occurs when an asset’s price moves beyond a defined support or resistance level with increased volume. To confirm such a breakout using MAVOL, traders must observe both price action and volume behavior. The key is to determine whether the breakout coincides with a surge in volume that exceeds the MAVOL(20) or MAVOL(50), depending on the timeframe. For instance, on a daily chart, a 20-period MAVOL represents the average volume over the past 20 days. If the current volume bar extends significantly above this moving average line, it signals strong buying or selling pressure.

• Check that the price has clearly closed beyond a known resistance (for bullish breakouts) or support (for bearish breakouts).
• Confirm that the volume for that candlestick is visibly higher than the MAVOL line.
• Ensure the volume spike is not isolated; sustained volume above MAVOL over the next few candles strengthens the confirmation.

This alignment between price and volume increases confidence that the breakout is not a false move or market noise.

Setting Up MAVOL on Trading Platforms

Most modern trading platforms, such as TradingView, MetaTrader, or Binance Futures, allow users to add MAVOL directly to their charts. The process involves accessing the volume indicator and applying a moving average to it.

• Open your preferred charting platform and load the cryptocurrency pair you are analyzing.
• Locate the Volume indicator, typically displayed at the bottom of the price chart.
• Right-click on the volume histogram and select “Add to Volume” or “Apply Indicator.”
• Choose Moving Average and set the period (commonly 20 or 50).
• Adjust the color and thickness for clarity—many traders use green for the MAVOL line when volume is rising and red when falling.

Once applied, the MAVOL line will appear overlaid on the volume bars. Any volume bar exceeding this line indicates above-average activity, which is critical when evaluating breakouts.

Using MAVOL to Filter False Breakouts

False breakouts are common in the volatile cryptocurrency market. A price may briefly pierce a resistance level but quickly reverse due to lack of follow-through volume. MAVOL serves as a filter to distinguish genuine breakouts from these deceptive moves. When a price breaks out but the corresponding volume remains below the MAVOL line, the move lacks confirmation. This discrepancy suggests weak participation and increases the probability of a reversal.

• Observe the volume bar at the moment of breakout: if it does not exceed MAVOL, treat the breakout with caution.
• Wait for the next 1–3 candles to see if volume sustains above MAVOL.
• If volume drops back below MAVOL immediately after the breakout, consider it a potential fakeout.

For example, if Bitcoin breaks above $65,000 but the volume is only 80% of the MAVOL(20), the breakout may fail. However, if volume is 150% of MAVOL and remains elevated, the breakout is more credible.

Combining MAVOL with Other Confirmation Tools

While MAVOL is powerful on its own, combining it with other technical tools enhances accuracy. One effective method is pairing MAVOL with price-based moving averages or Bollinger Bands. For instance, a breakout occurring near the upper Bollinger Band with volume above MAVOL suggests strong momentum. Another useful companion is the Relative Strength Index (RSI). If RSI is rising into overbought territory while volume exceeds MAVOL, it reinforces bullish conviction.

• Overlay MAVOL and RSI on the same chart to cross-verify momentum and volume.
• Use candlestick patterns like bullish engulfing or hammer at breakout points, especially when volume surpasses MAVOL.
• Monitor order book depth on exchanges; a breakout with high volume and deep buy walls adds further validation.

These combinations create a multi-layered confirmation system, reducing reliance on any single indicator.

Practical Example: Confirming a Breakout in Ethereum

Suppose Ethereum has been trading between $3,000 and $3,300 for several days, forming a consolidation pattern. Resistance at $3,300 has been tested twice without success. On the third attempt, the price closes at $3,350 on a daily candle.

• Check the volume for that day: if it is significantly above the MAVOL(20), which was at 15 million ETH traded, and today’s volume is 22 million, this exceeds the average by 46%.
• Verify that the next day’s volume remains above MAVOL, showing sustained interest.
• Look for a green volume bar extending above the MAVOL line on the chart, confirming strong buying pressure.

In this scenario, the combination of price closing above resistance and volume surpassing MAVOL supports a valid breakout. Traders may then consider entering long positions with stop-loss orders placed below $3,300.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best period setting for MAVOL when trading crypto breakouts?

The MAVOL(20) is widely used for short-to-medium term breakouts on daily charts, as it reflects the last month of volume activity. For longer-term trends, MAVOL(50) offers a broader view. Intraday traders may use MAVOL(10) on 1-hour or 15-minute charts to capture immediate volume surges.

Can MAVOL be used in sideways markets?

Yes, in ranging markets, MAVOL helps identify accumulation or distribution phases. Volume spiking above MAVOL near support may indicate buying interest, while spikes near resistance could signal selling. These patterns don’t confirm breakouts but help anticipate them.

How do I differentiate between a volume spike due to news and a genuine breakout?

Even with news-driven spikes, a valid breakout requires price to sustain beyond key levels with volume staying above MAVOL for multiple periods. News alone may cause a one-time spike, but sustained volume confirms institutional or large trader involvement.

Is MAVOL effective for all cryptocurrencies?
MAVOL works best on high-liquidity assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, where volume data is reliable. For low-cap altcoins with erratic volume, MAVOL signals may be misleading due to pump-and-dump activities or low trading depth. Always cross-check with order book and exchange-specific volume.