How to trade divergences with the AVL indicator

The AVL indicator helps crypto traders spot divergences between price and volume, signaling potential trend reversals or continuations.

Jul 15, 2025 at 04:15 am

Understanding Divergences in Cryptocurrency Trading

In cryptocurrency trading, divergence occurs when the price of an asset moves in one direction while a technical indicator moves in the opposite direction. This discrepancy often signals a potential reversal or continuation pattern. The AVL (Average Volume Level) indicator is a less common but powerful tool that combines volume and price data to identify such divergences. Unlike traditional indicators like RSI or MACD, AVL focuses on how volume interacts with price action, making it especially useful in volatile crypto markets where volume can be a strong leading indicator.

What Is the AVL Indicator?

The AVL indicator stands for Average Volume Level and typically appears as two lines oscillating around a zero baseline on your chart. One line represents the average volume level adjusted for price changes, while the other serves as a signal line. When these lines diverge from the price movement, traders can spot potential trend reversals or continuations. In crypto markets, where sudden spikes and drops are frequent, the AVL divergence provides early warnings by detecting imbalances between buying/selling pressure and actual price movement.

Identifying Bullish Divergence Using AVL

A bullish divergence occurs when the price makes a lower low, but the AVL indicator forms a higher low. This suggests that despite the falling price, volume-based momentum may be increasing, signaling underlying strength. To detect this:

• Look for a clear price downtrend with consecutive lower lows.
• Observe the AVL indicator: if it starts forming higher lows while the price continues to drop, this is a sign of weakening bearish pressure.
• Confirm the divergence by checking if the volume bars under the chart also reflect increasing volume during recent dips.

This type of setup is particularly relevant in crypto assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum after sharp corrections, where institutional or algorithmic buyers might start accumulating without triggering immediate price rallies.

Spotting Bearish Divergence with AVL

Conversely, a bearish divergence happens when the price records a higher high, but the AVL indicator prints a lower high. This indicates that although the price is rising, the volume-driven momentum is waning, suggesting a possible reversal. Steps to identify this include:

• Watch for a clear uptrend with successive higher highs.
• Check the AVL indicator: if it fails to confirm the new high and instead shows a lower peak, this implies diminishing buying pressure.
• Cross-reference with candlestick patterns or resistance zones for added confirmation.

In fast-moving altcoin markets, this scenario often precedes a sharp pullback or consolidation phase. Traders should pay close attention to how the AVL lines cross during these setups, as they can act as dynamic support/resistance levels themselves.

Entering Trades Based on AVL Divergence

Once a valid divergence is identified, entering a trade requires precision and risk management. Here’s how to proceed:

• After confirming the divergence visually and across multiple timeframes, wait for a candlestick reversal pattern such as a pin bar or engulfing candle near key support/resistance levels.
• Enter the trade once the candle closes in the expected reversal direction.
• Place a stop-loss just beyond the most recent swing point to protect against false breakouts.
• Use trailing stops or partial profit-taking strategies as the trade moves in your favor.

It's crucial not to rush into trades based solely on AVL divergence. Instead, treat it as a confluence factor alongside other tools like moving averages or Fibonacci retracements.

Managing Risk and Position Sizing

Trading divergences using the AVL indicator involves inherent risks, especially in the unpredictable crypto space. To manage these effectively:

• Always use a risk-reward ratio of at least 1:2 to ensure profitability over time.
• Limit position size to no more than 2% of your total account balance per trade.
• Avoid trading during major news events or low liquidity periods, as these can distort both price and volume readings.
• Regularly review and adjust stop-loss levels based on volatility and market conditions.

Since AVL relies heavily on volume, ensure that you're using a reliable exchange feed or data source that accurately reflects real-time trading activity.

Customizing the AVL Indicator Settings

Most trading platforms allow customization of the AVL indicator settings to better suit specific assets or timeframes. Some adjustments include:

• Modifying the period length to smooth out noise or increase sensitivity.
• Adjusting the multiplier factor for volume calculations to align with the volatility profile of the crypto pair being traded.
• Changing color schemes or line thickness for easier visual recognition during live trading.

Experimentation is key here. For example, shorter timeframes like 5-minute or 15-minute charts may benefit from faster settings, while daily charts might require slower, more stable configurations to avoid false signals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the AVL indicator be used on all cryptocurrency pairs?

Yes, the AVL indicator can be applied to any cryptocurrency pair as long as there is sufficient volume data available. However, its effectiveness may vary depending on the liquidity and volatility of the specific pair.

Q: How does AVL divergence compare to RSI divergence in crypto trading?

While both types of divergence aim to predict reversals, AVL divergence emphasizes volume dynamics, whereas RSI divergence focuses purely on price momentum. In highly liquid crypto markets, combining both can provide stronger signals.

Q: Is it necessary to use AVL divergence with other indicators?

Although AVL divergence can stand alone, combining it with tools like moving averages, Bollinger Bands, or Fibonacci levels enhances accuracy. It's always wise to seek multiple confirmations before executing a trade.

Q: Does the AVL indicator repaint?

Some versions of the AVL indicator may repaint, meaning past signals change as new data comes in. To avoid misleading signals, always test the indicator version you're using on historical data and check for repainting behavior.