How to trade crypto? From minutes to weeks

To understand how to trade crypto on the different time frames, we must first understand the difference between MT5 and MT4 timeframes.

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and MetaTrader 4 (MT4) differ in several aspects, including the available timeframes. MT5 offers more flexibility and granularity in charting timeframes than MT4, making it suitable for more detailed analysis. Here’s a comparison:

Timeframes in MT4

MT4 provides 9 standard timeframes:

Minutes: M1, M5, M15, M30

Hours: H1, H4

Longer Periods: D1 (Daily), W1 (Weekly), MN1 (Monthly)

Timeframes in MT5

MT5 expands the range to include 21 timeframes, categorized into minutes, hours, and more:

Minutes: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M10, M12, M15, M20, M30

Hours: H1, H2, H3, H4, H6, H8, H12

Longer Periods: D1 (Daily), W1 (Weekly), MN1 (Monthly)

How to navigate MT5 and find the crypto symbols?

Right-click in the Market Watch panel, select "Symbols," search for the desired cryptocurrency pairs (e.g., BTC/USD, ETH/USD), and activate them if they dont show already. Before placing trades, analyze the market using MT5’s extensive charting tools, 21 timeframes, and technical indicators. You can apply techniques like trendlines, moving averages, or Fibonacci retracements to develop a trading strategy.

Some of the popular Crypto’s that we offer on the Equiti platform include Bitcoin cash BCHUSD, Dogecoin DOGEUSD, Litecoin LTCUSD.

The image below demonstrates how to customize and select the timeframes you need.

Placing trades

To place a trade, open a new order by right-clicking on a cryptocurrency pair in the Market Watch window or pressing F9. Set the trade parameters, including volume, stop loss, and take profit levels. Choose the order type—Market Execution for immediate trades or Pending Order to execute at a specific price—then confirm by clicking “Buy” or “Sell.” Monitor your open positions in the Terminal window, where you can track performance, adjust stop loss or take profit levels, and close trades when needed.

Always practice proper risk management by setting clear stop losses and limiting the amount you risk per trade. For beginners, it’s wise to start with a demo account to test strategies before trading with real money. Trading cryptocurrencies on MT5 offers a robust, versatile platform with advanced tools, making it a solid choice for both novice and experienced traders.

Trading on timeframes

The wide range of timeframes in MT5 gives traders the flexibility to customize their strategies based on market conditions and personal preferences.

For scalpers who love fast-paced action, shorter timeframes like M1, M5, and M15 are perfect for capitalizing on small, frequent price movements in the highly volatile crypto market. If you’re a day trader looking to catch intraday trends while avoiding overnight risks, M30 or H1 charts might suit your style better.

Swing traders, who hold positions for days or weeks, often rely on timeframes like H4 and D1 to focus on medium-term trends without getting distracted by the constant ups and downs of smaller intervals. Long-term investors, or "HODLers," can use W1 or MN1 charts to analyze bigger trends and identify growth opportunities.

A key advantage of MT5 is the ability to switch between timeframes, which can significantly enhance your market analysis. For example, you could spot a bullish trend on a D1 chart, then zoom into an H1 chart to find the perfect entry point during a pullback. This multi-timeframe approach helps traders see the bigger picture while nailing the finer details.

All our crypto offerings are listed on the website! with over 50 coins to choose from.