#tradingpairs101 is a basic introduction to how trading pairs work in financial markets, especially in cryptocurrencies and exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, etc. Here I explain the fundamental concepts:
What is a trading pair?
A trading pair represents two assets that can be exchanged for each other. For example:
BTC/USDT means that you are exchanging Bitcoin (BTC) for Tether (USDT).
This answers the question: how much USDT does 1 BTC cost?
How does it work?
A trading pair always has this format:
> Base currency / Quoted currency
Base currency: the asset that you are buying or selling (the first one).
Quoted currency: the asset that you use to pay or receive (the second one).
Pair Meaning
BTC/USDT Buy or sell Bitcoin using Tether (USD)
ETH/USDT Buy or sell Ethereum for Tether
SOL/USDC Buy or sell Solana using USD Coin
ADA/BTC Buy or sell Cardano for Bitcoin