#TradingPairs101 Here's a distilled yet comprehensive breakdown of trading pairs:

Trading Pairs 101

Core Definition:

A trading pair (Base/Quote, e.g., `BTC/USDT`) lets you exchange one asset for another.

Base: Asset you buy/sell* (e.g., `BTC` in `BTC/USDT`).

Quote: Asset used to value* the base (e.g., `USDT`, a USD-pegged stablecoin).

How It Works:

1. Price: Shows how much quote is needed for 1 unit of base.

Example: `WTC/USD = $0.0036` → 1 Waltoncoin costs $0.0036.

2. Liquidity: High volume = easier trades. Low volume (e.g., WTC’s $4.48 daily volume) causes:

Slippage: Price shifts during execution.

Wide Spreads: Big gaps between buy/sell orders.

3. Order Types:

Market Order: Instant trade at current price.

Limit Order: Set your price (e.g., "Buy ETH if drops to $1,500").

Why Pair Choice Matters:

Volatility: `BTC` pairs swing more; `stablecoin` pairs (e.g., `ETH/USDC`) reduce risk.

Access: Tokens like WTC may only trade on niche exchanges (delisted from major platforms).

Fees: Often lower for crypto/crypto pairs vs. fiat pairs.

Key Risks:

⚠️ Illiquid Pairs: Low volume → high slippage (e.g., trying to sell $1k of WTC could crash its price).

⚠️ Delistings: Inactive tokens (like WTC) vanish from exchanges stranding funds.

Pro Tips:

✅ Prioritize volume: Avoid pairs under $100k daily volume.

✅ Use limit orders in volatile markets.

✅ Stablecoin pairs (`ETH/USDC`) for stability during swings.

TL;DR:

Trading pairs are the "engine" of exchanges: Base is what you trade, Quote sets its value. Choose liquid, active pairs to avoid slippage and delisting risks. Always verify volume!

(Based on real-time data: WTC/USD volume ~$4.48; last trade 25 days ago).