What does it mean when the VR volume ratio breaks through 150% and then falls back?

A VR volume ratio breaking above 150% signals strong bullish momentum in crypto, but a subsequent drop may indicate profit-taking or weakening buying pressure, requiring confirmation from price action and other indicators.

Aug 13, 2025 at 10:28 am

Understanding the VR Volume Ratio in Cryptocurrency Trading

The VR volume ratio, also known as the volume ratio indicator, is a technical analysis tool widely used in cryptocurrency markets to assess the relationship between buying and selling volume over a specific period. It is calculated by dividing the total volume of rising (up) candles by the total volume of falling (down) candles, often over a 26-period window. The formula is typically expressed as:
VR = (Up Volume + 0.5 × Equal Volume) / (Down Volume + 0.5 × Equal Volume).

This ratio helps traders identify whether a price movement is supported by strong volume, which can signal the sustainability of a trend. When the VR volume ratio breaks through 150%, it indicates that buying volume significantly exceeds selling volume, suggesting strong bullish sentiment in the market.

Significance of a VR Breakthrough Above 150%

When the VR volume ratio exceeds 150%, it reflects a surge in buying pressure. This level is considered a psychological threshold, and crossing it often signals that market participants are aggressively purchasing the asset. In cryptocurrency markets, which are highly sensitive to volume shifts, such a breakout can be interpreted as a sign of accumulation by large investors or institutional players.

• A VR above 150% suggests that for every unit of selling volume, there are at least 1.5 units of buying volume.
• This often coincides with price breakouts or sharp upward price movements, especially if it occurs after a consolidation phase.
• It may also indicate bullish divergence, where price is rising on strong volume, reinforcing the legitimacy of the uptrend.

However, such a high reading can also suggest that the market is becoming overbought, particularly if the price has risen rapidly without correction.

Why the VR Falls Back After Breaking 150%

A VR volume ratio that breaks through 150% and then falls back indicates a temporary exhaustion of buying momentum. After a strong rally driven by high-volume buying, traders may begin to take profits, leading to increased selling volume or reduced buying activity. This causes the ratio to decline from its peak.

• The fall back can occur due to profit-taking, where early buyers sell to secure gains.
• It may also reflect distribution, where large holders begin selling into the strength.
• A decrease in buying enthusiasm or a resurgence in selling volume will naturally pull the VR ratio down.

In crypto markets, where volatility is high, such reversions are common after sharp rallies, especially if the breakout lacks follow-through volume.

Interpreting the VR Pullback in Market Context

The meaning of a VR drop after a 150% breakout depends heavily on the surrounding price action and market conditions.

• If the price continues to rise or holds above key support levels despite the VR decline, it may indicate a healthy consolidation rather than a reversal.
• Conversely, if the price begins to drop and the VR falls below 100%, it could signal weakening bullish momentum and a potential trend reversal.
• A VR retracing to around 100% suggests a balance between buying and selling volume, indicating market indecision.

Traders should cross-verify the VR signal with other indicators such as RSI, MACD, or moving averages to avoid false signals. For example, if RSI is above 70 while VR drops from 150%, it reinforces the overbought condition.

How to Trade the VR Breakout and Retracement

To effectively respond to a VR volume ratio breaking 150% and then falling back, traders can follow a structured approach using real-time data and charting tools.

• Step 1: Confirm the VR reading using a reliable trading platform such as TradingView or Binance’s built-in indicators. Ensure the calculation period matches the standard (usually 26 candles).
• Step 2: Observe whether the price is making higher highs as VR exceeds 150%. This confirms bullish alignment.
• Step 3: Watch for the VR to begin declining. A drop of more than 20 percentage points from the peak may signal momentum loss.
• Step 4: Check volume on down candles. If red candles show increasing volume while VR falls, it strengthens the bearish case.
• Step 5: Use support levels as a guide. If price holds above the breakout level (e.g., previous resistance turned support), the uptrend may resume.
• Step 6: Consider placing a trailing stop-loss if long, or prepare for short entries if bearish confirmation appears (e.g., VR below 100% with price below moving average).

This strategy works best when combined with on-chain data (e.g., exchange outflows) or funding rates in futures markets to gauge broader sentiment.

Common Misinterpretations of the VR Signal

Many traders misread the VR volume ratio breaking 150% and then falling back as a definitive reversal signal, which can lead to premature exits or entries.

• A high VR does not guarantee continued price rise; it only reflects past volume imbalance.
• The fall back does not automatically mean a downtrend is starting—it may simply reflect normalization after a spike.
• In low-liquidity altcoins, VR can be distorted by whale transactions or wash trading, leading to false signals.
• Ignoring the timeframe can be misleading. A VR spike on a 1-hour chart may be noise compared to a daily chart signal.

Always validate VR movements with price structure and volume profile analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What timeframes are best for monitoring the VR volume ratio in crypto?

The daily and 4-hour charts are most reliable for VR analysis in cryptocurrency trading. Shorter timeframes like 5-minute or 15-minute charts can produce excessive noise due to high-frequency trading and volatility. On the daily chart, VR signals are more meaningful and less prone to manipulation.

Can the VR volume ratio be used for altcoins with low trading volume?

Using VR on low-volume altcoins is risky because volume data can be easily skewed by large single trades or bot activity. In such cases, the VR may spike above 150% due to a single transaction, not genuine market sentiment. It is safer to apply VR to major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum or high-market-cap altcoins with transparent volume.

How does the VR ratio differ from OBV (On-Balance Volume)?

While both are volume-based indicators, VR measures the ratio of up-volume to down-volume, giving a normalized percentage. OBV, on the other hand, is a cumulative indicator that adds volume on up days and subtracts on down days. VR is better for identifying overbought/oversold volume conditions, whereas OBV is used to confirm trend strength through divergence.

Is a VR above 150% always bullish?

Not necessarily. A VR above 150% can indicate bullish momentum, but if it occurs at the top of a prolonged rally, it may signal exhaustion. Context matters—check whether the price is near a key resistance level or if there’s a lack of follow-up buying. A high VR without price follow-through is a warning sign, not a buy signal.