Can you add to the position when the 20-day moving average crosses the 60-day line and steps back?

Jun 29, 2025 at 09:50 pm

Understanding Moving Averages in Cryptocurrency Trading

In the world of cryptocurrency trading, moving averages are among the most widely used technical indicators. They help traders identify trends and potential reversal points by smoothing out price data over a specific time period. The two key moving averages discussed here are the 20-day moving average (20DMA) and the 60-day moving average (60DMA). When these lines cross, it often signals a shift in momentum that can be exploited for profit.

The 20DMA reflects recent price action more quickly than the 60DMA, which is slower and smoother due to its longer lookback period. This difference makes their crossovers particularly valuable in identifying short-term and medium-term opportunities.

What Happens When the 20DMA Crosses the 60DMA?

A crossover occurs when the 20DMA moves above or below the 60DMA. In this case, we're focusing on the situation where the 20DMA crosses above the 60DMA and then steps back — meaning the 20DMA dips slightly below the 60DMA again after the initial crossover.

This scenario is often interpreted as a potential retracement within an ongoing uptrend. Traders may see this as a second chance to enter a position after missing the initial breakout. It's crucial to note that not all such crossovers result in profitable trades; they must be analyzed in the context of broader market conditions and confirmed with other tools like volume and support/resistance levels.

Why Add to a Position After the Crossover and Retracement?

Adding to a position during this phase can be a strategic move if certain criteria are met:

• Trend Confirmation: If the overall trend remains bullish despite the retracement, adding to the position increases exposure at a potentially better entry point.
• Volume Analysis: A drop in volume during the pullback suggests weak selling pressure, reinforcing the idea that the uptrend is still intact.
• Support Testing: If the price finds support near the 60DMA, it may indicate strong buyer interest at that level.

Traders who initially entered at the crossover might consider averaging down slightly during the retracement to lower their cost basis, provided risk management parameters are respected.

Step-by-Step Guide to Executing This Strategy

If you're planning to add to your position when the 20DMA crosses the 60DMA and steps back, follow these detailed steps:

• Identify the Initial Crossover: Use a charting tool (like TradingView) to plot both the 20DMA and 60DMA. Look for a moment when the 20DMA crosses above the 60DMA.
• Monitor Price Action Post-Crossover: Observe whether the price continues higher or pulls back toward the 60DMA.
• Wait for Retest of the 60DMA: During the pullback, check if the price touches or hovers around the 60DMA without breaking significantly below it.
• Confirm Support Holding: Watch for candlestick patterns (like bullish engulfing or hammer candles) that suggest buyers are stepping in.
• Check Volume Levels: Ensure that volume decreases during the pullback and increases as the price starts to rise again.
• Place Entry Order: Enter a buy order once the price shows signs of resuming the upward trend, ideally just above a recent swing high or resistance level.
• Set Stop-Loss Safely Below: Place a stop-loss order below the retracement low to protect against unexpected breakdowns.
• Adjust Position Size Accordingly: Since you’re adding to an existing position, ensure your total exposure doesn’t exceed your portfolio’s risk tolerance.

Each step should be executed with precision and discipline to avoid emotional trading decisions.

Risk Management Considerations

Even though this strategy can offer favorable risk-reward setups, it's essential to implement proper risk management practices:

• Position Sizing: Limit each trade to a small percentage of your total capital, typically no more than 1–2% per position.
• Stop-Loss Placement: Always use stop-loss orders to limit downside risk, especially since crypto markets can be highly volatile.
• Profit Target Planning: Decide in advance how much of the position you’ll take off at different target levels. For example, take partial profits at Fibonacci extensions or prior resistance zones.
• Avoid Overleveraging: Adding to positions shouldn’t involve excessive leverage unless you're an experienced trader with a robust risk framework.

Failing to manage risk properly can lead to significant losses, even with technically sound strategies.

Tools and Platforms to Monitor These Crossovers

To effectively track and execute this strategy, you’ll need access to reliable charting and trading platforms:

• TradingView: Offers customizable moving averages, alerts, and advanced charting features.
• Binance / KuCoin / Coinbase Pro: These exchanges provide real-time data and allow direct execution based on technical triggers.
• Crypto Screener Tools: Some third-party platforms highlight coins where the 20DMA crosses the 60DMA, saving time on manual scanning.

Using alerts on your preferred platform ensures you don’t miss key crossovers or retracements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What timeframe should I use to analyze the 20DMA and 60DMA crossover?

A: While daily charts are most commonly used for this type of strategy, some traders also apply it to 4-hour or weekly charts depending on their trading style. Day traders may prefer shorter timeframes, while swing traders rely on daily or weekly data.

Q: How do I differentiate between a healthy retracement and a trend reversal?

A: Healthy retracements usually occur on low volume and don't break key support levels. Trend reversals often come with increased volatility, strong bearish candlesticks, and breakdowns below major support zones.

Q: Can I automate trading based on 20DMA/60DMA crossovers?

A: Yes, many platforms support algorithmic trading through bots or scripts that can trigger trades based on moving average crossovers. However, automation requires thorough backtesting before live deployment.

Q: Should I always wait for the 20DMA to retest the 60DMA before adding to a position?

A: No, waiting isn't mandatory. Some traders prefer to add gradually as the trend progresses. The decision depends on your confidence in the trend and your personal risk appetite.