Is it a signal to lure more if the volume shrinks day by day if the three crows are three crows?

Shrinking volume during the three crows pattern may signal weak selling pressure, potentially acting as a trap in crypto trading.

Jun 26, 2025 at 09:35 am

Understanding the Three Crows Pattern in Cryptocurrency Trading

The three crows pattern is a well-known candlestick formation that typically signals a bearish reversal. It consists of three consecutive long-bodied candlesticks that open within the range of the previous candle and close lower than the prior candle. This pattern often appears after an uptrend, suggesting that momentum is shifting from bullish to bearish.

In the context of cryptocurrency trading, where volatility is high and sentiment can change rapidly, recognizing such patterns becomes crucial for traders. However, relying solely on candlestick formations without considering other market dynamics can lead to misleading interpretations.

Three crows pattern indicates potential selling pressure following an uptrend.

Volume as a Confirming Indicator

When analyzing candlestick patterns like the three crows, volume plays a significant role in confirming the validity of the signal. Typically, increasing volume during the formation of the crows strengthens the bearish signal, indicating strong selling pressure. Conversely, if the volume shrinks day by day during the appearance of the three crows, it may suggest weak conviction among sellers.

A declining volume during this pattern could imply that the bears are not aggressively pushing prices down, which might indicate a lack of follow-through. In such cases, traders should be cautious about interpreting the three crows as a strong reversal signal unless supported by rising volume or other technical indicators.

Shrinking volume during three crows may weaken the bearish signal.

Is Shrinking Volume a Lure?

The question arises: is shrinking volume a lure when the three crows pattern forms? In trading psychology, a "lure" often refers to false signals designed to trap traders into entering positions that eventually go against them.

If the volume declines steadily while the three crows form, it may indicate that institutional players or large holders (often referred to as whales) are manipulating price action to create a false sense of weakness. This scenario is common in crypto markets due to their relatively low liquidity compared to traditional financial assets.

Traders who react hastily to the three crows without verifying with volume and other indicators may find themselves caught in a trap setup, especially if the price reverses shortly afterward.

Declining volume may act as a lure to trap retail traders.

How to Analyze Volume During Three Crows Formation

To determine whether the shrinking volume during a three crows formation is a valid bearish signal or a lure, traders should follow these steps:

• Compare volume levels across each of the three candles — ideally, each candle should have higher or at least consistent volume.
• Overlay volume indicators like On-Balance Volume (OBV) or Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) to spot divergences.
• Observe support and resistance zones near the pattern — a genuine bearish reversal is more likely if the price breaks below key support levels.
• Check broader market sentiment via social media trends, macroeconomic news, or Bitcoin dominance index changes.

These steps help filter out false signals and improve decision-making accuracy when encountering the three crows in conjunction with declining volume.

Analyzing volume alongside candlestick patterns improves trade accuracy.

Case Study: Three Crows with Shrinking Volume in Crypto Charts

Let’s consider a real-world example using a Bitcoin chart. Suppose BTC/USDT has been in an uptrend for several days. Suddenly, three red candles appear consecutively — forming the three crows pattern. However, upon checking the volume profile, we notice that each candle’s volume is significantly lower than the previous one.

This divergence between price and volume suggests that although the candles are bearish, there isn’t enough selling pressure to sustain a downtrend. In some instances, the price may even rebound sharply after this pattern, catching short-sellers off guard.

Another example can be seen in Ethereum's weekly chart, where similar setups occurred before major rallies. Traders who ignored volume and shorted based solely on the three crows pattern suffered losses once the price resumed its upward trajectory.

Real-world examples show how volume divergence can invalidate candlestick signals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does shrinking volume during a three crows pattern mean?

Shrinking volume suggests weakening bearish momentum. While the three crows pattern usually signals a reversal, declining volume implies that sellers are not strongly committed, potentially making the pattern unreliable.

Can I use moving averages to confirm the three crows pattern?

Yes, combining the three crows with moving averages like the 50-period EMA or 200-period SMA can provide additional confirmation. If the price closes below these key levels after forming the three crows, the bearish signal becomes stronger.

Are there any tools to automatically detect the three crows pattern?

Several platforms like TradingView, Binance Smart Chain Tools, and CoinMarketCap Pro offer candlestick scanners that can identify the three crows and similar patterns. These tools also allow users to filter results by volume and time frame.

How do I differentiate between a legitimate three crows pattern and a fake one?

A legitimate three crows pattern usually forms after a clear uptrend and shows consistent or increasing volume. Fake ones often appear in sideways markets, lack volume support, and may be followed by immediate price reversals.