Short selling principles and crypto market trading strategy analysis

Definition and Principle of Shorting

Shorting refers to an investor predicting that the price of an asset will fall, borrowing the asset first and selling it at the current market price, and then repurchasing it to return after its price has dropped, profiting from the difference between selling high and buying low. This operation is a reverse operation, suitable for use when the market is bearish.

shorting operation process

Traders first borrow assets (such as Bitcoin or stocks) from exchanges or other holders, immediately sell them to obtain cash, and when the market drops to the target price, they buy them back to return to the lender, earning the difference after deducting interest and fees, which is the net profit.

Common shorting tools

Including perpetual contracts and futures contracts, the former has no expiration date and is suitable for long-term holding, while the latter has a fixed delivery date suitable for short-term strategies; leveraged tokens turn shorting into a token form for easier trading; in addition, DeFi protocols support intermediary-free shorting operations through lending functions.

Risks and Precautions

Shorting carries high risks; if asset prices rise in the opposite direction, losses could be unlimited. The interest on borrowed securities increases the cost of holding positions, and the rapidly changing market may lead to liquidation. The automatic closing mechanism can also accelerate losses. It is advisable to set strict stop-loss limits and operate cautiously.

Suitable timing for shorting

During a bear market or market downturn, when negative news emerges and technical analysis shows a weakening trend, such as the appearance of a death cross, observing multiple factors to determine the timing of entry can help increase the success rate of shorting.