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Trend Following

A patient trend-following strategy that captures sustained directional moves in crypto perpetual futures.

Visual Overview

Key Concept: Ride established trends by entering on pullbacks to moving averages, hold until trend reverses.

Strategy Logic

Overview

Identifies and rides established trends using multiple timeframe confirmation. Enters on pullbacks within the trend and holds for extended periods.

Entry Conditions

  • Price above/below key moving averages (50, 200 EMA)
  • Higher highs and higher lows (uptrend) or lower lows and lower highs (downtrend)
  • Momentum confirmation (RSI, MACD alignment)
  • Entry on pullback to support/resistance
  • Volume confirmation on breakout

Position Sizing

  • Base size: 2-3% of portfolio
  • Scale in on multiple pullbacks
  • Pyramid into winning positions
  • Maximum 8% allocation per trend

Exit Conditions

  • Trend reversal signals (MA crossover, structure break)
  • Momentum divergence
  • Trailing stop hit (ATR-based)
  • Time-based exit after 30+ days
  • Target profit reached (3-5x risk)

Risk Management

Stop Loss

  • Initial stop: Below recent swing low/high
  • Trailing stop: 2x ATR from highest/lowest point
  • Break-even stop after +1R profit

Position Management

  • Scale out 1/3 at 2R profit
  • Scale out 1/3 at 4R profit
  • Trail remaining 1/3 with wider stop

Correlation

  • Maximum 2 concurrent trend trades
  • Avoid correlated assets in same direction

Performance Expectations

  • Win Rate: 40-50%
  • Average Hold Time: 10-20 days
  • Profit Factor: 2.0-3.0
  • Max Drawdown: 12-18%
  • Best Regimes: Bull, Bear (strong trends)

Configuration

markdown
---
regime: ["bull", "bear"]
risk_level: medium
max_allocation: 0.3
min_sharpe: 0.6
---

Technical Indicators

Trend Identification

  • 50 EMA vs 200 EMA (golden/death cross)
  • ADX > 25 (strong trend)
  • Price structure (higher highs/lows)

Entry Timing

  • Pullback to 21 EMA
  • RSI 40-60 (not overbought/oversold)
  • Volume expansion on resumption

Exit Signals

  • 50 EMA crosses 200 EMA
  • Price closes below 21 EMA
  • RSI divergence
  • Parabolic move (>3 standard deviations)

Example Trade

Setup: BTC in strong uptrend

  • Entry: $42,000 on pullback to 50 EMA
  • Stop Loss: $40,500 (below swing low)
  • Risk: $1,500 per contract
  • Target: $46,500 (3R)
  • Outcome: Held 15 days, scaled out at $44,000 (1/3), $46,000 (1/3), trailed final 1/3 to $48,500 for average exit of $46,167 (+9.9%)

Monitoring

Key metrics:

  • Trend strength (ADX)
  • Pullback depth
  • Volume patterns
  • Correlation with other positions
  • Risk-adjusted returns