Here’s an easy-to-digest summary of the Binance Academy article on crypto hedging and the seven strategies (June 29, 2023; updated Oct 13, 2023) :
🧠 What Is #hedging in Crypto?
Hedging is like financial insurance. You take an opposite position to your main crypto holding to reduce possible losses.
It’s not about making a profit—it’s about protecting your assets when the market moves against you.
How Crypto Hedging Works (Simplified)
1. You hold a crypto asset, like Bitcoin.
2. You analyze the risks (e.g., price drops).
3. You take a counter-position using other tools like futures, options, or stablecoins to balance possible losses.
7 Crypto Hedging Strategies (Simplified)
1. Futures Contracts
Agree to sell or buy crypto at a set future price.
Helps lock in value and protect against falling prices.
2. Options Contracts
A put option lets you sell your crypto at a fixed price within a certain period.
If the market crashes, the option gains value.
3. CFDs (Contracts for Difference)
You trade the price movement of crypto without owning it.
Profits from falling prices help cover spot losses.
4. Short Selling
You borrow and sell crypto, then buy it back when the price drops.
Useful if you expect a market dip.
5. Diversification
Spread your investment across different assets or coins.
Reduces the risk from any one asset falling.
6. Stablecoin Hedging
Move part of your funds to stablecoins (like USDT or USDC).
Shields your capital from volatility.
7. Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)
Invest a fixed amount regularly, no matter the price.
Helps reduce the impact of short-term volatility over time.
⚠️ Important Notes
Hedging costs money (fees, premiums, etc.).
No hedge is perfect—market moves can still cause losses.
Some strategies need experience and can be risky if not used properly.
Not all tools are available in every country or exchange.