How can MAVOL be used to understand the flow of money in and out of a cryptocurrency?

MAVOL helps traders identify cryptocurrency money flow trends by smoothing volume data, revealing whether price moves are backed by strong buying or selling pressure.

Aug 01, 2025 at 06:32 am

Understanding MAVOL in Cryptocurrency Analysis

MAVOL, short for Moving Average Volume, is a technical analysis tool used to measure the average trading volume of a cryptocurrency over a defined period. Unlike price-based moving averages, MAVOL focuses exclusively on volume, offering insights into the strength or weakness of price movements. When applied to cryptocurrency markets, MAVOL helps traders and analysts assess the flow of money in and out of an asset by highlighting periods of high or low participation. Volume is a critical indicator of market sentiment, and MAVOL smooths out short-term fluctuations to reveal underlying trends in trading activity.

By observing how volume evolves over time, investors can determine whether price changes are supported by substantial market participation. For example, a rising price accompanied by increasing MAVOL suggests strong buying pressure and genuine interest. Conversely, a price increase on declining MAVOL may indicate a lack of conviction, potentially signaling a weak rally.

How MAVOL Reflects Money Flow in Cryptocurrency Markets

The flow of money in and out of a cryptocurrency can be indirectly measured through volume trends, and MAVOL provides a clearer picture by filtering out noise. When MAVOL values rise, it indicates that more capital is being transacted across exchanges, which often corresponds to increased buying or selling pressure. A sustained increase in MAVOL during an upward price trend suggests that money is flowing into the asset, driven by active accumulation.

Conversely, if MAVOL remains flat or declines during a price increase, it may signal that the rally lacks broad market support. This could mean that only a few large players are driving the price, or that retail participation is minimal. On downtrends, a spike in MAVOL often reveals intense selling pressure, meaning money is exiting the asset rapidly. This kind of volume surge can confirm bearish momentum and help identify potential capitulation points.

Setting Up MAVOL on Trading Platforms

To use MAVOL effectively, traders must first configure it on their preferred charting platform, such as TradingView, Binance, or CoinGecko Pro. The process involves accessing the volume indicator and applying a moving average overlay. Below are the steps to set up MAVOL:

• Navigate to the chart of the desired cryptocurrency.
• Locate the "Indicators" or "Studies" button, usually found at the top of the chart interface.
• Search for "Volume" in the indicator library and select it to display the raw volume bars.
• Open the indicator settings and locate the option to apply a moving average to the volume data.
• Choose the period for the moving average—common settings include 9-day, 20-day, or 50-day MAVOL.
• Confirm the settings and observe the MAVOL line appear over the volume bars.

Once applied, the MAVOL line will appear as a smoothed curve over the volume histogram, making it easier to identify rising or falling volume trends. Traders can customize the color and thickness of the MAVOL line for better visibility.

Interpreting MAVOL Divergences for Money Flow Signals

One of the most powerful uses of MAVOL is identifying divergences between price and volume, which can signal shifts in money flow. A bullish divergence occurs when the price makes a lower low, but MAVOL makes a higher low, indicating that selling pressure is decreasing despite falling prices. This may suggest that money outflow is slowing, and a reversal could be imminent.

A bearish divergence happens when the price reaches a higher high, but MAVOL fails to surpass its previous peak, showing weakening volume. This implies that the upward move lacks strong participation, and inflow of money is tapering off. Such divergences are especially useful in spotting potential trend exhaustion points before price action confirms them.

Traders should also monitor crossovers between short-term and long-term MAVOL lines. For instance, a 9-day MAVOL crossing above a 50-day MAVOL may signal increasing short-term buying interest, while a downward crossover could indicate waning momentum.

Combining MAVOL with Price and On-Chain Data

While MAVOL is valuable on its own, combining it with price action and on-chain metrics enhances its effectiveness in tracking money flow. For example, a spike in MAVOL coinciding with a breakout above a key resistance level strengthens the validity of the move. Similarly, if on-chain data shows large wallet accumulation at the same time, it reinforces the idea that money is flowing into the asset.

Platforms like Glassnode or CryptoQuant provide on-chain volume and exchange flow data that can be correlated with MAVOL readings. If MAVOL rises while exchange inflows decrease, it may suggest that holders are moving funds to private wallets, indicating long-term confidence. Conversely, rising MAVOL alongside high exchange inflows could point to increased selling pressure.

Using MAVOL in tandem with Relative Strength Index (RSI) or On-Balance Volume (OBV) offers a multi-dimensional view of market dynamics. These combinations allow analysts to distinguish between speculative pumps and sustained accumulation phases.

Practical Example: Analyzing Bitcoin with MAVOL

Consider a scenario where Bitcoin’s price rises from $30,000 to $35,000 over three weeks. During this period, the 20-day MAVOL steadily increases, confirming that the rally is supported by growing trading volume. This suggests consistent money inflow from buyers entering the market.

Later, the price climbs to $36,000, but the 20-day MAVOL begins to flatten. Despite the higher price, volume fails to expand, indicating weaker participation. This divergence warns that the upward momentum may not be sustainable. If the price then drops below $34,000 on a spike in MAVOL, it confirms strong selling activity—money is now flowing out as traders exit positions.

Such real-time analysis enables traders to adjust strategies, such as taking profits during high-volume resistance or preparing for a potential downtrend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between MAVOL and OBV?
MAVOL measures the average trading volume over time, focusing on the magnitude of activity. On-Balance Volume (OBV), in contrast, cumulatively adds volume on up days and subtracts it on down days, aiming to link volume directly to price changes. While MAVOL shows volume trends, OBV attempts to quantify buying and selling pressure over time.

Can MAVOL be used on all cryptocurrencies?

Yes, MAVOL can be applied to any cryptocurrency with sufficient trading volume and historical data. It works best on major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum due to their liquidity. For low-volume altcoins, MAVOL may produce misleading signals due to erratic trading patterns.

How do I choose the right MAVOL period?

The choice depends on your trading timeframe. Short-term traders may prefer a 9-day or 13-day MAVOL for responsiveness. Long-term investors often use 50-day or 100-day MAVOL to filter out noise and capture broader volume trends.

Does MAVOL account for fake volume or wash trading?

No, MAVOL does not distinguish between genuine and artificial volume. In markets with reported wash trading, MAVOL readings may be inflated, leading to false signals. Analysts should cross-verify with exchange transparency reports or on-chain data where possible.