#TradingPairs101 Trading pairs are the fundamental architecture upon which all exchanges in crypto-assets are built. They represent the value relationship between two assets: the first is the one you buy or sell, and the second is the reference currency. A pair like BTC/USDT means you are exchanging Bitcoin for Tether, where the price reflects how many USDT are equivalent to 1 BTC. This structure defines not only how you operate but also your exposure to risk and opportunities.

There are three key categories. Fiat-crypto pairs, like EUR/BTC, connect traditional currencies with digital assets and are the gateway for new investors. Crypto-crypto pairs, like ETH/BNB, allow the exchange of digital assets without passing through fiat, optimizing costs but exposing to double volatility. Finally, pairs with stablecoins, like SOL/USDC, offer a temporary refuge against market volatility, using stablecoins as a common denominator.