In the fast-moving world of crypto, prices pump and dump in minutes, hype spreads faster than facts, and every chart looks like the “next big opportunity.” That’s why before placing any trade, every crypto investor needs one thing — a quick, honest reality check.

A 60-second evaluation can help you step back from emotions, avoid impulsive trades, and decide whether a coin deserves your money — or just your curiosity.

Here’s a simple but powerful framework to run through before you click Buy or Sell.

 Step 1: What Is Driving the Move — News, Hype, or Manipulation?

Before reacting to a sudden price spike or dip, ask:

• Is there real news or development behind the move?
• Or is it driven by influencers, rumors, or a Telegram group pump?
• Is volume natural or artificially inflated?

Coins fueled only by hype tend to:

• rise fast
• trap traders at the top
• and crash even faster

If you can’t find a legitimate reason behind the price action…
your answer to “Should I trade this?” is probably No.

 Step 2: What Does the Chart Really Say?

A quick technical check can reveal a lot.

Look for:

• Trend direction — Uptrend, downtrend, or sideways?
• Key support and resistance levels
• Whether price is overbought or oversold
• Sudden wicks or volatile candles

Ask yourself:

Am I trading the trend — or fighting it?

If you’re trading against momentum, your risk increases — even if the narrative sounds strong.

 Step 3: What’s the Risk vs. Reward?

A trade is not just about potential profit — it’s about acceptable risk.

Check:

• Where is your stop-loss?
• What is your target?
• Is the reward at least 2x greater than the risk?

If you can’t clearly define:

• entry point
• exit point
• invalidation level

…then it’s not a trade — it’s a gamble.

No clear plan = No trade.

 Step 4: Are You Trading Based on Logic — or Emotion?

Crypto rewards patience and punishes impulses.

Ask yourself honestly:

• Am I buying because I’m afraid of missing out?
• Am I revenge-trading after a loss?
• Am I chasing a pump I already missed?
• Am I trading because someone else posted gains?

If emotion is in control…
pause the trade — regain clarity — then decide.

 The 60-Second Crypto Reality Check Checklist

Before every trade, answer:

1. Is there a real reason behind the price move?
2. Does the chart support the trade idea?
3. Do I know my entry, target, and stop-loss?
4. Is risk-to-reward in my favor?
5. Am I trading logically — not emotionally?

If you can’t confidently answer YES to most of these…
the safest decision is often to walk away.

Remember — in trading:

Missing a bad trade is a win.

 Final Thought: Not Every Opportunity Deserves Action

The crypto market never stops — and there will always be another trade, another breakout, another trend.

Success doesn’t come from trading more…

It comes from trading smarter, with discipline, patience, and perspective.

Sometimes the best decision isn’t
“Should I trade this?”

It’s…

“Should I avoid this?”

And that’s the real crypto reality check.

Who we are

Deriv is one of the world’s largest online brokers. We offer CFDs and other derivatives on forex, stocks & indices, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and derived indices to millions of registered users across the globe.

From inception, our goal was to break free of the high commissions and clunky products offered by traditional brokers. Also, we aim to deliver a first-class experience to digitally inclined traders, regardless of the size of their accounts.

As Deriv marks its 25th anniversary this year, we celebrate a legacy of innovation and a commitment to making trading accessible to anyone, anywhere. Over the past quarter century, we have grown to serve over 3 million customers worldwide, continually advancing to meet the dynamic needs of the markets and our clients. This milestone is a testament to our unwavering dedication to the traders we serve.

Our values are the fabric of our culture

Integrity:

We serve our customers with fairness and transparency. We settle all contracts by the book and speak plainly and truthfully.

Customer focus:

We put the customer first and strive to build products that deliver the best customer experience.


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