In crypto trading, speed is everything. You don’t always have the luxury of sitting for hours analyzing charts. That’s why I use a simple 5-minute routine that lets me read three different timeframes—4H, 1H, and 30M—and build a full trading plan without overthinking.

This method is called multi-timeframe analysis (MTA). It’s quick, effective, and helps me stay confident with my entries and exits. Here’s exactly how I do it:

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Step 1: 4H Chart – The Big Picture (2 Minutes)

I always start with the 4-hour chart because it shows me the overall direction of the market. Think of it as zooming out before zooming in.

What I check here:

Trend: Is price trending up, trending down, or just ranging?

Support & Resistance: I mark the key levels where price reacted strongly in the past.

Indicators: A quick look at RSI or MACD tells me whether the market has strength or if it’s exhausted.

👉 Bottom line: The 4H chart tells me whether I should look for buy setups (bullish) or sell setups (bearish).

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Step 2: 1H Chart – Market Momentum (2 Minutes)

After I know the bigger trend, I drop to the 1-hour chart. This is where I check if momentum agrees with the bigger picture.

What I check here:

Structure: Is the 1H moving in the same direction as the 4H, or is it just pulling back?

Candles: Rejection wicks, engulfing patterns, or consolidations give me hints about momentum.

Volume: High volume = strong move. Low volume = weak move.

👉 Bottom line: The 1H chart tells me if the trend has fuel or if it’s slowing down.

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Step 3: 30M Chart – Perfect Entry Timing (1 Minute)

Finally, I zoom into the 30-minute chart. This is where I get my precise entry or exit point.

What I check here:

Entry Zones: I watch how price reacts to the 4H/1H levels I already marked.

Breakouts & Pullbacks: If price breaks resistance, I wait for a pullback before entering.

Stops & Targets: For buys, I place stops under the last swing low. For sells, above the swing high.

👉 Bottom line: The 30M chart is where I pull the trigger with confidence.

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Step 4: Putting It All Together (5-Minute Routine)

Here’s my exact process:

1. 4H (2 mins): Define the trend + mark big levels.

2. 1H (2 mins): Check if momentum supports the trend.

3. 30M (1 min): Time the entry/exit with precision.

Done. In just 5 minutes, I have a full trading plan.

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Quick Example

On the 4H chart, $BTC is trending up with strong support at $USTC

43,000.

On the 1H chart, I see a pullback forming with bullish rejection candles near that support.

On the 30M chart, I wait for a clean breakout above $43,500, then enter long with my stop below $43,000.

This way, I’m trading in line with all three timeframes—trend, momentum, and timing.

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Final Thoughts

Trading doesn’t have to be complicated. By using multi-timeframe analysis (4H, 1H, 30M), you can:

✔ Spot the overall trend quickly

✔ Confirm momentum before committing

✔ Enter and exit with perfect timing

The next time you look at charts,

give this 5-minute hack a try. You’ll trade smarter, stress less, and make more confident decisions.