Most retail traders lose money not because of indicators or strategies, but because they play by the rules dictated by big players (whales, market makers, funds). Here’s how their tricks work — and how you can counter them.
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1. False Breakouts (Fakeouts) 🚪 ➡️ The market breaks a support or resistance level, everyone rushes into position — and the price instantly reverses. ➡️ Goal: to collect the stops of small traders.
How to avoid:
Wait for confirmation with volume and candle closure at the level.
Better to miss one move than to become a victim of manipulation.
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2. Pump & Dump / Stop Hunt 🚨 ➡️ First, the price is rapidly driven up (pump), creating FOMO, then it is sharply dumped (dump). ➡️ Stop Hunt — when the market purposefully 'collects' stops above/below key levels.
Signs:
Sharp movement on low volumes
High volume only at the end — just before the reversal
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3. Manipulation through news and social media 📰📱 ➡️ Big players can launch fake news or push a certain narrative through influencers to make the crowd buy or sell.
How to filter:
Check the news from multiple sources
Look at the chart: if the price does not react logically — something is off
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Tip from a pro: Want to trade against the crowd — act like a market maker. Think: 'Where would I place a stop — and where is it most vulnerable?' That’s often where the price goes.
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Summary: Sometimes the best trade is to refrain from trading. Manipulations are part of the game. But if you know their rules — you are no longer a victim, but a player.
Write 'WHALE' in the comments if you want a PDF guide with examples of manipulations on charts!
