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    Crypto Technical Indicators: RSI, MACD and Moving Averages

    Read BTCUSDT technical indicators by candle interval and historical UTC date. Compare RSI, MACD, moving averages, ATR, CCI and KDJ with formulas, charts and a watchlist template.

    Bitcoin indicator readings

    Source: Binance BTCUSDT perpetual contract. Prices are in USDT; executed volume is in BTC. This is not a consolidated spot-market reading.

    Leave the date empty for the latest completed candle. A historical date includes candles closing by the end of that UTC day. The charts and table use the same selection.

    Last completed candle closes at:

    Calculated from 799 consecutive completed candles. Each indicator uses its stated settings and finite initialization history; another platform may use a different seed.

    Last closing price: 83,576.9 USDT · Executed volume in the last candle: 176,848.755 BTC

    Indicator and settingsReading
    SMA(20)81,290.105 USDT
    SMA(30)80,458.3033 USDT
    SMA(60)75,088.7 USDT
    SMA(200)71,266.1445 USDT
    EMA(8)83,610.5389 USDT
    EMA(20)81,944.8038 USDT
    EMA(50)77,771.9568 USDT
    EMA(200)74,404.2277 USDT
    RSI(14)61.0954
    MACD(12,26,9)2,073.5253 USDT
    EMA(9) MACD2,195.8128 USDT
    MACD − EMA(9)-122.2875 USDT
    BB(20,2) +2σ88,488.8077 USDT
    BB(20,2) SMA81,290.105 USDT
    BB(20,2) −2σ74,091.4023 USDT
    ATR(14)2,290.8678 USDT
    CCI(20)58.5658
    KDJ(9,3,3) K44.6065
    KDJ(9,3,3) D58.1261
    KDJ(9,3,3) J17.5674
    StochRSI(14,14,3,3) K46.8099
    StochRSI(14,14,3,3) D53.703

    A dash means the calculation is undefined or needs more history. Readings describe past data and do not establish a profitable entry.

    What Are Technical Indicators?

    Technical indicators transform observed prices, trading volume or open interest into summaries of trend, momentum or dispersion. They do not observe future orders or establish a profitable strategy. Compare the exact instrument, venue, candle interval, observation date and calculation settings before comparing readings.
    Terms such as leading and lagging describe how a calculation responds to past data. They do not guarantee an early signal, a reversal or fewer losing trades. Several indicators built from the same prices can agree without providing independent evidence.

    Leading Indicators

    Oscillators such as RSI and Stochastic RSI can turn before a smoothed trend line. They still use already observed prices. An extreme reading or divergence can persist while price continues in the same direction; the label leading does not mean the next move is known.

    Lagging Indicators

    Moving averages and MACD summarize past prices with smoothing. Their readings can react after a price change and can reverse repeatedly in a range. Slower response does not establish fewer false signals or a profitable entry.

    Moving Averages (SMA & EMA)

    Moving averages smooth closing prices. A period means one candle. Choose an interval and optional historical UTC date above; the five charts and numerical table share that exact BTCUSDT perpetual history. Charts display the last 88 candles after calculations use the full available initialization history. The moving-average chart shows SMA(20) and EMA(50), not a 50/200 crossover.
    BTCUSDT · SMA(20) · EMA(50) · 1d · 88 candles

    Scroll horizontally to inspect the full chart and price scale.

    87,38574,34161,297SMA(20)EMA(50)

    Simple Moving Average (SMA)

    SMA is the arithmetic mean of the last N closes: SMA = (P₁ + … + Pₙ) / N. For closes of 100, 110 and 120, the three-period SMA is 110. Changing the period or candle interval changes the question being measured.

    Exponential Moving Average (EMA)

    EMA gives more weight to recent closes: EMA = price × k + previous EMA × (1 − k), with k = 2 / (N + 1). The initial seed matters. Faster response than a same-period SMA is a calculation property, not evidence of better returns.

    Key Moving Average Signals

    A golden cross conventionally means a 50-period SMA crossing above a 200-period SMA; a death cross is the reverse. These compare historical averages, not future outcomes. Specify the candle interval. The example chart here uses SMA(20) and EMA(50), so it does not show that crossover.

    Relative Strength Index (RSI)

    BTCUSDT · RSI(14) · 1d · 88 candles

    Scroll horizontally to inspect the full chart and price scale.

    87,38574,34161,2977030

    What Is RSI?

    RSI compares smoothed recent gains and losses, commonly over 14 periods, on a 0–100 scale. The conventional 70 and 30 thresholds describe relatively strong and weak recent momentum. They do not guarantee that an asset is mispriced or about to reverse; extreme readings can persist.

    RSI Divergence

    Bearish divergence describes a higher price high with a lower RSI high; bullish divergence describes a lower price low with a higher RSI low. The chosen swing points and interval matter. Divergence describes a mismatch in historical movement, not a confirmed reversal or entry instruction.

    MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence)

    BTCUSDT · MACD(12, 26, 9) · 1d · 88 candles

    Scroll horizontally to inspect the full chart and price scale.

    87,38574,34161,297

    What Is MACD?

    With settings 12/26/9, the MACD line is EMA(12) minus EMA(26), the signal is a nine-period EMA of that line, and the histogram is MACD minus signal. Different settings, seeds or data histories can produce different readings.

    Bullish MACD Cross

    A MACD crossing above its signal turns the histogram positive. That indicates a change in the relationship between smoothed past prices. A cross can fail or reverse quickly; the page has not established a win rate or a most reliable market regime.

    Bearish MACD Cross

    A MACD crossing below its signal turns the histogram negative. Sideways prices can produce repeated crosses in both directions. Neither the cross nor the zero line determines the size, timing or profitability of a subsequent price move.

    Bollinger Bands

    BTCUSDT · BB(20, 2) · 1d · 88 candles

    Scroll horizontally to inspect the full chart and price scale.

    88,48972,19855,908

    What Are Bollinger Bands?

    The chart uses a 20-period SMA with bands two population standard deviations of closing prices above and below it. This is a descriptive price envelope. It is not a 95% confidence or prediction interval, and a band touch is not by itself a buy or sell signal.

    Bollinger Band Squeeze

    A squeeze means the bands have narrowed relative to a comparison period. It does not determine breakout direction, size or timing, and low dispersion can persist. A later expansion is an observation to measure, not proof that the earlier squeeze guaranteed a profitable trade.

    Volume

    Volume Patterns

    Higher or lower volume can accompany rising or falling prices. Those combinations alone cannot identify accumulation, distribution, capitulation or the probability of a reversal. Check executed volume separately from bid–ask spread and resting depth; neither high volume nor a breakout guarantees an executable fill.

    Stochastic RSI

    BTCUSDT · StochRSI(14, 14, 3, 3) · 1d · 88 candles

    Scroll horizontally to inspect the full chart and price scale.

    87,38574,34161,2978020

    What Is Stochastic RSI?

    Stochastic RSI locates RSI within its recent high–low range: (RSI − lowest RSI) / (highest RSI − lowest RSI). The chart uses a 0–100 scale with 14/14/3/3 settings. A flat RSI range makes the ratio undefined; this implementation assigns a neutral 50 before smoothing. That convention is not a market signal.

    Reading Stochastic RSI

    The 80 and 20 levels mark conventional relative extremes on this chart's 0–100 scale; 0.8 and 0.2 express the equivalent on a 0–1 scale. %K/%D crosses can repeat or remain extreme. A sensitive calculation is not automatically an effective trading strategy.

    Combining Indicators

    1

    Establish the Trend

    Define the instrument, venue, candle interval and rule before examining outcomes. A moving average can summarize the chosen history, but the same settings do not establish a universal trend or suitable holding period.

    2

    Gauge Momentum

    Compare what RSI or MACD actually measures. If several measures use the same closes, their agreement may reflect shared inputs. Record contradictory observations instead of treating any combination as confirmation of a future move.

    3

    Check Volume

    Check data completeness and units. Volume, order-book depth, spread and open interest measure different things. A price-only chart cannot establish liquidity or distinguish new money from repeated trading.

    4

    Time the Entry

    To evaluate a strategy, specify entry, exit, sizing and execution rules, then test on separate historical data with fees, funding and slippage. Avoid selecting settings only because they fit a past chart. A stop trigger does not guarantee a fill or maximum loss.

    Parameters and related indicators

    MA30, MA60 and EMA8/20

    A period counts candles: MA30 on a one-hour chart averages 30 hourly closes, not 30 days. Here MA means SMA. MA60 uses 60 closes; EMA8 and EMA20 use smoothing factors 2/9 and 2/21. Change the interval above to compare the actual readings. Price touching an average does not prove that resting buy or sell orders exist there.

    AMA/KAMA, EMA and TMA

    EMA uses a fixed smoothing factor 2/(N+1). AMA is a family of adaptive averages; Kaufman's KAMA varies its factor with ER = absolute net price change / sum of absolute one-period changes. Its factor is [ER × (fast factor − slow factor) + slow factor]². TMA usually means a triangular moving average, with greatest weight near the centre of a trailing window. A centred TMA may use future bars and repaint; it is different from a trailing TMA. Check the platform's exact formula and settings.

    ATR, CCI, STD and AVEDEV

    True range is max(high − low, |high − previous close|, |low − previous close|). This ATR(14) seeds the mean of 14 ranges, using high − low for the first, then applies Wilder smoothing. CCI(20) = (typical price − its 20-period mean) / (0.015 × mean absolute deviation), where typical price = (high + low + close)/3. STD measures squared deviations before taking their square root; AVEDEV averages absolute deviations. The Bollinger calculation here uses population standard deviation. These dispersion measures are not interchangeable.

    KDJ and Stochastic RSI

    KDJ(9,3,3) uses RSV = 100 × (close − lowest low over 9 candles) / (highest high − lowest low). K = (2 × previous K + RSV)/3; D = (2 × previous D + K)/3; J = 3K − 2D. This implementation seeds K and D at 50 and uses RSV = 50 for a flat range. J can exceed 0–100. Stochastic RSI instead measures RSI within its own range; equal names such as K and D do not make these the same indicator.

    VPVR and volume at price

    VPVR distributes executed volume by price across the visible chart range, usually using lower-interval data. A candle's total volume does not reveal its exact distribution across prices, so this page does not invent a VPVR from OHLC candles. Use a chart's volume-profile tool and record the visible range and row settings. A high-volume node describes past transactions, not resting order-book depth, open interest or guaranteed support.

    Copyable observation template

    Copy this table into your notes and fill one record per observation. Leave unknown inputs blank; a completed record documents assumptions, not a trade recommendation.
    FieldYour record
    Instrument / venue / product________
    Candle interval / UTC close / historical date________
    Source / indicator settings________
    Observed readings________
    Entry rule / exit rule / invalidation________
    Evaluation period________
    Fees / funding / slippage / position size________

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best technical indicator for beginners?
    A simple moving average is a useful arithmetic example: choose a candle interval and average a stated number of closes. That makes the calculation easy to inspect; it does not make it the best trading signal. Compare its lag and limitations before interpreting it.
    How many indicators should I use at once?
    There is no universally correct number. Choose measures for clearly different questions and check their shared inputs. Adding correlated indicators does not turn agreement into independent evidence or a measured probability of success.
    Do technical indicators work for crypto?
    Indicators calculate on crypto data, but that is different from proving a profitable strategy. Any performance claim needs a specified market, period, rule, costs and out-of-sample test. This guide establishes no universal win rate or profitable timeframe.
    What's the difference between leading and lagging indicators?
    Leading commonly describes an oscillator that may change before a smoothed trend measure; lagging describes a measure reacting to historical changes. Both use observed data. Neither label guarantees timing, predictive accuracy or fewer losses.
    Can I rely on indicators alone for trading decisions?
    An indicator reading alone does not determine an executable, appropriately sized or profitable trade. It omits account rules and many costs and risks. Combining price, volume and other context still does not establish a guaranteed outcome.
    What time frame should I use for technical indicators?
    Choose the interval that matches the question and state it. RSI(14) on hourly candles differs from RSI(14) on daily candles. Higher timeframes do not automatically produce more profitable or reliable signals; compare complete histories and explicit rules.
    Which technical indicators work best together when combining technical indicators for crypto trading?
    Use combinations to ask distinct questions, such as a moving average for smoothing, RSI for relative recent gains and losses, and a separately sourced volume measure for activity. ATR measures range, not a position size by itself; OBV summarizes signed volume, not proven accumulation. Shared inputs and costs still need evaluation.

    Derivatives & Leveraged Products — Important Risk Warning

    Derivatives and leveraged products are complex and carry a high risk of rapid, substantial losses. Depending on the product and account rules, losses can exceed the initial margin or money committed. A stand-alone purchased option can lose its entire premium plus transaction costs; writing options, exercising into another position, or combining positions can create additional obligations. An uncovered call writer can face unlimited loss. Applicable legal protections can affect the loss boundary.

    You should carefully consider whether you understand how derivatives work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment advice, or a recommendation to trade derivatives.

    Legal availability and regulatory protections depend on the product, service, provider and jurisdiction. In the EU, check the applicable investment-services rules, including MiFID II where relevant, and any product restrictions. Before trading, verify with the relevant regulator whether the provider has the permissions required for the service and whether the product may be offered to you. A website being accessible, or a product appearing on this website, does not establish authorization or eligibility.

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