How to set the cost moving average? How many days of average price are used for short-term?

The cost moving average helps investors track their average cost per crypto unit, aiding in strategic buying or selling decisions based on market trends.

Jun 09, 2025 at 12:15 am

Understanding and setting a cost moving average is a crucial aspect of managing your cryptocurrency investments. The cost moving average, often referred to as the average cost basis, helps investors understand the average price they have paid for their holdings over a period. This metric is particularly useful for making informed decisions about buying or selling assets. In this article, we will delve into how to set the cost moving average and discuss how many days of average price are typically used for short-term analysis.

What is Cost Moving Average?

The cost moving average is calculated by dividing the total amount spent on a cryptocurrency by the total number of units purchased. This gives investors a clear picture of their average cost per unit, which is essential for tracking performance and making strategic decisions. For example, if you bought 1 Bitcoin at $30,000 and another at $40,000, your cost moving average would be ($30,000 + $40,000) / 2 = $35,000 per Bitcoin.

Setting the Cost Moving Average

To set the cost moving average, you need to keep a detailed record of all your transactions. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

• Record each transaction: Every time you buy or sell a cryptocurrency, note down the date, the amount of cryptocurrency, and the price per unit.
• Calculate the total cost: Sum up the total amount of money spent on buying the cryptocurrency.
• Calculate the total units: Sum up the total number of units of the cryptocurrency purchased.
• Divide the total cost by the total units: This will give you the cost moving average.

For instance, if you have made multiple purchases of Bitcoin at different times, you would follow these steps:

• Transaction 1: Bought 1 BTC at $30,000
• Transaction 2: Bought 1 BTC at $40,000
• Total Cost: $30,000 + $40,000 = $70,000
• Total Units: 1 + 1 = 2 BTC
• Cost Moving Average: $70,000 / 2 = $35,000 per BTC

Using Cost Moving Average for Decision Making

The cost moving average is a powerful tool for investors. By comparing the current market price to your cost moving average, you can determine if you are in a profit or loss position. If the current market price is above your cost moving average, you are in profit. Conversely, if it is below, you are in a loss.

For example, if the current market price of Bitcoin is $50,000 and your cost moving average is $35,000, you are in a profit of $15,000 per Bitcoin. This information can guide your decision on whether to hold, sell, or buy more.

Short-Term Average Price: How Many Days?

When it comes to short-term analysis, the number of days used for calculating the average price can vary based on the investor's strategy. Commonly, short-term average prices are calculated over periods ranging from 5 to 20 days. These periods are short enough to capture recent trends but long enough to smooth out daily volatility.

• 5-day average: Useful for very short-term traders who want to react quickly to market movements.
• 10-day average: A popular choice for traders looking for a balance between responsiveness and stability.
• 20-day average: Often used by investors who want to capture a bit more of the trend while still focusing on short-term movements.

Calculating Short-Term Average Price

To calculate the short-term average price, you need to gather the closing prices of the cryptocurrency over the chosen period and then find the average. Here’s how you can do it:

• Choose the period: Decide on the number of days you want to use for your average (e.g., 10 days).
• Gather the closing prices: Collect the closing prices of the cryptocurrency for each of the past 10 days.
• Sum the prices: Add up all the closing prices.
• Divide by the number of days: Divide the total sum by 10 to get the 10-day average price.

For example, if the closing prices of Bitcoin over the past 10 days were $45,000, $46,000, $47,000, $48,000, $49,000, $50,000, $51,000, $52,000, $53,000, and $54,000, the 10-day average price would be:

• Sum of prices: $45,000 + $46,000 + $47,000 + $48,000 + $49,000 + $50,000 + $51,000 + $52,000 + $53,000 + $54,000 = $495,000
• 10-day average price: $495,000 / 10 = $49,500

Using Short-Term Average Price

The short-term average price can be used to identify trends and make trading decisions. If the current price of a cryptocurrency is above its short-term average, it might indicate a bullish trend. Conversely, if it is below, it might suggest a bearish trend.

For instance, if the current price of Bitcoin is $55,000 and the 10-day average price is $49,500, this could signal a bullish trend, encouraging investors to consider buying or holding their positions.

Combining Cost Moving Average and Short-Term Average Price

By combining the cost moving average with the short-term average price, investors can gain a more comprehensive view of their investment performance and market trends. The cost moving average helps in understanding the overall cost of your holdings, while the short-term average price assists in making timely trading decisions based on recent market movements.

For example, if your cost moving average for Bitcoin is $35,000 and the current 10-day average price is $49,500, you can see that the market is currently trending above your cost basis, indicating potential profit opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can the cost moving average be used for all cryptocurrencies?

Yes, the cost moving average can be applied to any cryptocurrency. The principle remains the same regardless of the asset: it's the total amount spent divided by the total number of units purchased.

Q2: How often should I update my cost moving average?

It's advisable to update your cost moving average after every transaction. This ensures that your average cost basis remains accurate and reflects your latest investments.

Q3: Is the short-term average price more important than the cost moving average?

Both metrics are important but serve different purposes. The short-term average price helps in identifying current market trends, while the cost moving average is crucial for understanding your investment's performance over time. Depending on your trading strategy, you might prioritize one over the other.

Q4: Can I use different time frames for the short-term average price?

Yes, you can use different time frames based on your trading strategy. While 5 to 20 days are common for short-term analysis, you can choose any period that suits your needs, such as 3 days or 30 days, to capture different levels of market movement.