In the cryptocurrency market, the two most common trading forms are Spot (immediate) and Futures (forward contracts). Each form has different characteristics and trading strategies, suitable for the goals and risk appetite of each investor.
🔹 1. Spot Trading – Safe, long-term strategy
Characteristics: Buy and sell actual assets, no leverage used. Suitable for investors looking to hold long-term or trade with less risk.
Strategy:
• Buy the dip: Buy at strong support zones, hold medium/long-term.
• DCA (Dollar Cost Averaging): Buy regularly weekly/monthly to reduce volatility impact.
• Cycle holding: Based on BTC halving cycles, macroeconomic factors to choose entry timing.
Advantages: Low risk, no liquidation.
Disadvantages: Difficult to optimize profits in the short term, no leverage.
🔸 2. Futures Trading – High leverage, high risk
Characteristics: Trading in the upward (Long) or downward (Short) direction. Leverage can range from 1x to 125x depending on the exchange.
Strategy:
• Scalping/Intraday: Trading based on short-term fluctuations (5m, 15m, 1h).
• Breakout Strategy: Enter a position when the price breaks through a strong resistance/support zone.
• Hedging: Use Futures to mitigate risks for Spot orders.
Advantages: Optimize profits in a short time.
Disadvantages: Risk of account liquidation if capital management is poor.
⚔️ Spot vs Futures – Which one to choose?
• Regarding risk: Spot has lower risk, while Futures carries high risk due to leverage.
• Regarding leverage: Spot has no leverage, while Futures can go up to 125x.
• Regarding trading goals: Spot is suitable for medium/long-term strategies; Futures are for short-term traders.
• Best strategy: Spot is suitable for DCA, Hold, and buying the dip; Futures is suitable for Scalping, Breakout, and Hedging.
• Experience required: Spot is accessible to beginners, while Futures require experience and high technical analysis skills.
✅ Suggested combined strategy
• Use Spot for the majority of capital (80–90%) to ensure safety.
• Allocate 10–20% of capital for Futures to optimize short-term profits.
• Always set Stop Loss, divide positions, avoid fomo and trading based on emotions.
💡 Conclusion: There is no absolute strategy. It is important to understand oneself, investment goals, and tightly manage risks. In the highly volatile crypto market, a flexible combination of Spot and Futures can yield optimal results.
