The independent student news publication at Kansas State University

Kansas State Collegian

Kansas State Collegian

The independent student news publication at Kansas State University

Kansas State Collegian

Bitcoin Trading for Beginners: 6 Tips for Success

Bitcoin is one of the most popular options among cryptocurrency traders today. It first emerged as a platform in 2009, and since then, it has grown exponentially. Some people believe that it has had its heyday, having already seen its maximum worth in 2017. However, it remains an incredibly popular option for digital traders today and for a good reason. Trading bitcoins can be a lucrative investment strategy if you know what you are doing that is. Read on for all the tips you need to ensure your success as a bitcoin trader.

View it as a Gradual Process

This is perhaps the most important tip. A lot of people tend to rush into their investments decisions fearing that they will lose the opportunity otherwise. Instead, you should always approach any new investment with caution. Start off small and never invest more than you are prepared to lose. Trading in bitcoins is not without its risks. However, by starting smaller with lower stakes, you can get a better idea of how the market and other traders operate, which can be invaluable.

Secure Your Wallet

Your digital wallet is where all of your bitcoin and information is kept. The information stored there is what allows you to trade or make transactions. So it is vital that you ensure that it is secured. Firstly you need to make sure that you have chosen a reputable platform to create and keep your wallet. Some remain online and connected to the internet, which makes them easier to use but does leave them vulnerable to hackers; others keep your assets secure offline, which can mean they’re more secure, but they can be more difficult to use. The most successful traders use both.

Choose Your Trading Strategy

Before you can begin trading, you need to do some research and decide what type of trader you want to be. There are several strategies to choose from, and the one that you choose will depend on how much time you have to commit and how quickly you want to turn a profit. First, there are scalpers; this is the most involved form of trading requiring multiple trades per day. Day traders take advantage of short fluctuations in the market. Swing trading requires research and analysis to capture trends in the market. Lastly, there is passive trading; these traders hold on to their bitcoins looking to make sustained long term profits. Whatever strategy you choose, it is important that you have done your research. For example, do you know how to sell Bitcoin for cash for when you eventually want to cash out? Paxful is a great platform to use when it comes to trading bitcoin, and they also have a number of great resources which you can use in your trading journey to help you achieve success.

Diversify Your Portfolio

Again, as with any form of investment, diversifying your portfolio is simply good financial sense. While it is true that bitcoin has a lot of benefits, there are pitfalls too. Often first-time or beginner investors can get carried away, sinking all of their money into bitcoin. However, by diversifying and trading in other cryptocurrencies, you can spread the risk around. While one might lose value, this loss may be offset by the rising value of another. By diversifying, you can maximize your potential return. It is all about finding that delicate balance between increasing your profit potential and limiting your exposure to any one specific cryptocurrency to reduce the risks.

Think Logically

Investors should always strive to be analytical and logical in their decisions. Being driven by emotions can lead to failure. It is not unusual for most forms of investments to see market fluctuations; however, this is especially true for bitcoin. On any given day, you can expect to see potentially dramatic price spikes. During these fluctuations, it can be easy to let your emotions get the best of you, investors begin to panic, and they can overspend or lose out. Always try to think analytically, accept that you might miss out on some opportunities and that it is okay to do so.

Be Wary of Deals

Cryptocurrency is hard to regulate as there is no central exchange. This means that, unfortunately, the bitcoin market, and cryptocurrencies in general, create an ideal environment for scammers to operate. There are several common scams to watch out for. Firstly, fake exchanges and wallet hacking is common, as are phishing emails where scammers try to capture your sensitive details, which leave your bitcoin investments vulnerable. Pyramid or Ponzi schemes are also fairly common in the digital world of cryptocurrency. Scammers promise high returns for investors if they recruit other investors, all of whom have to pay for the privilege of joining. These returns never appear, and the schemes should be avoided. Finally, malware or viruses can corrupt your data and leave your bitcoin wallet vulnerable to attack. The malware tends to infect your computer and steal away the contents of your digital wallet. There are other scams to watch out for, but the ones listed above are the most common. As a good rule of them, you should try to remain sceptical. If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Always do your research before you consider taking on any deals.

In The End

Whatever approach you decide to take to bitcoin trading requires a strategy. You need to prioritize security and risk management practices to try and safeguard your investment as much as possible. Cryptocurrency can be an incredibly volatile market to invest in. it holds great potential for profit but also for losses too, and it is important that investors acknowledge and understand this. As a first-time trader, you need to try and offset your risks as much as possible, and as such, you should never invest more than you are prepared to lose. Use the above tips and conduct additional research to help you on your bitcoin trading journey.

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