Introduction
Trading with cryptocurrencies is a very attractive market that has attracted a lot of attention over the last few years. However, due to its volatile nature, it comes with different challenges, including higher risks. One of the most promising tools to overcome these challenges is the use of algorithmic trading strategies. One of the popular programs that traders are using is Freqtrade, an open source cryptocurrency trading bot.
Freqtrade allows traders to implement an extensive range of trading strategies that include complex mechanisms. One such mechanism is the sell after x candles. This trading strategy involves setting a limit at which to sell a cryptocurrency asset after it has been held for a certain number of candlesticks (a trend indicator). This article will discuss the sell after x candles strategy, its benefits, and how it can be implemented using Freqtrade with code examples.
What is the Sell After X Candles Strategy?
The sell after x candles strategy is a popular trading method used by traders to automate their trades. In this strategy, a trader sets a limit order at which to sell an asset after holding it for a specific number of candlesticks. The candlestick, in this case, is a technical analysis indicator that shows the price of an asset over a specific period, usually minutes or hours.
The trader will set a limit order to sell the asset after a certain number of candles (for example, if a trader sets it to sell after ten five-minute candles). The trader will have set the strategy to hold the asset for 50 minutes before selling it. The trader may set a take-profit limit order to sell the asset at a profit or a stop-loss order to sell it when the asset's value decreases.
Benefits of the Sell After X Candles Strategy
Some benefits come with using the sell after x candles strategy, including:
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It takes emotions out of trading: Since the strategy is automated, it takes emotions out of trading, enabling traders to make rational decisions rather than emotional ones.
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It allows traders to better manage their risks: The strategy provides a trader with a clear exit signal, making it possible to manage risks more effectively.
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It improves trading efficiency: Automating the trading process gives traders greater control over their trading activity, allowing them to execute trades more frequently and efficiently.
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It provides traders with flexibility: The strategy is customizable, providing traders with the capability to tailor their trading activity to their specific preferences and trading objectives.
Implementing the Sell After X Candles Strategy using Freqtrade with Code Examples
Freqtrade is a popular open-source cryptocurrency trading bot that can be used to implement the sell after x candles strategy. Freqtrade allows traders to set up and run their automated trading strategy quickly, efficiently, and affordably. If you're interested in implementing this trading strategy, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Install Freqtrade and create a new config
The first step to implementing the sell after x candles strategy is to install Freqtrade on your computer. You can do this by following the installation instructions provided on the Freqtrade GitHub page. Once you've installed Freqtrade, create a new config file using the following command:
freqtrade new-config –config newconfig.json
This command will create a new config file named newconfig.json, which you can customize to suit your specific trading preferences.
Step 2: Set up a new strategy file
Once you've created a new config file, you can set up a new strategy file that implements the sell after x candles strategy. To do this, create a new file named sell_after_x_candles.py using the command below:
touch user_data/strategies/sell_after_x_candles.py
Once you've created the file, add the following code:
from freqtrade.strategy.interface import IStrategy
class SellAfterXCandles(IStrategy):
def populate_indicators(self, dataframe, metadata):
pass
def populate_buy_trend(self, dataframe, metadata):
pass
def populate_sell_trend(self, dataframe, metadata):
dataframe['sell'] = (dataframe['close'].shift(-10) < dataframe['close'])
In the code above, we define a new class named SellAfterXCandles, which extends the IStrategy class provided by Freqtrade. The function populate_indicators is not used in this case, so we leave it empty. The populate_buy_trend function is also empty since we are only interested in the sell after x candles strategy.
The main code for the strategy is within the populate_sell_trend function. We start by creating a new column named 'sell' within the dataframe, which indicates whether the asset should be sold or not. We use the shift function to move the closing price of the asset back ten candles (five-minute candles), then compare that price to the current closing price of the asset. If the current closing price is greater, the 'sell' column is set to True, and the asset is sold. Otherwise, the 'sell' column is False, and the asset is held.
Step 3: Backtest the Strategy
Once you've set up the new trading strategy, you'll need to test it before deploying it to a live trading environment. You can test the strategy by running a backtest using the following command:
freqtrade backtesting –strategy sell_after_x_candles –timerange 20210101-20211001
In the command above, we specify the name of the new strategy file (sell_after_x_candles.py) and the timeframe that we want to test our trading strategy on. The backtesting process should take a few seconds to complete.
Step 4: Deploy the Strategy to a Live Trading Environment
If your backtesting results are satisfactory, you can deploy the new trading strategy to a live trading environment using the following command:
freqtrade trade –strategy sell_after_x_candles
Conclusion
The sell after x candles strategy is a popular trading strategy that allows traders to set a limit order to sell an asset after it has been held for a specific number of candlesticks. The strategy provides many benefits, including removing emotions from trading, improving trading efficiency, and providing traders with greater flexibility.
In this article, we've shown how to implement the sell after x candles strategy using Freqtrade with code examples. Once you've installed Freqtrade, you can create a new config file and set up a new strategy file. You can then test your new trading strategy using backtesting before deploying it to a live trading environment.
While Freqtrade is an excellent tool for implementing trading strategies, it's important to remember that all trading involves risk. Traders must always perform their own due diligence and research before making any trades.
- Freqtrade:
Freqtrade is an open-source and free trading bot that automates the trading process for cryptocurrencies. It supports over 20+ cryptocurrency exchanges and multiple cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile tool for traders. It uses Python as the programming language, allowing traders to customize and develop their trading strategies quickly and efficiently. Some of the notable features of Freqtrade include paper trading, backtesting, and multiple safety checks, including stop-loss, trailing stop-loss, and take-profit orders.
- Sell after x candles:
The sell after x candles strategy is a popular trading strategy that allows traders to automate their trades. The goal is to set a limit order to sell an asset after holding it for a specific number of candlesticks (a trend indicator). It removes the emotions out of trading and helps traders make rational decisions. It allows traders to better manage risks, improve trading efficiency, and provides greater flexibility to tailor their trading activity based on their specific preferences and trading objectives.
- Backtesting:
Backtesting is a simulation process whereby traders test their trading strategies on historical data to evaluate their effectiveness. It allows traders to analyze how their trading strategies would have performed had they been used in the past. Backtesting helps traders identify the strengths and weaknesses in their strategies, ensuring they are adequately optimized before being used in a live trading environment. It is an essential step in developing and refining trading strategies.
- Python Programming Language:
Python is a high-level programming language that is widely used in finance, scientific research, and data analysis. It is a versatile language that is easy to learn and understand, making it a popular choice for traders and developers alike. Python has a vast library of modules, making it a powerful tool for developing trading strategies. It can be used to automate various trading processes, including backtesting, data analysis, and trading execution. Its versatility and powerful libraries make it a valuable tool for algorithmic trading.
Popular questions
- What is the sell after x candles strategy, and how does it work?
The sell after x candles strategy is an automated trading strategy that involves setting a limit order to sell an asset after holding it for a specific number of candlesticks or trend indicators. For example, a trader may set the strategy to hold the asset for ten 5-minute candles before selling it. The sell order executes when the current closing price of the asset is greater than the closing price of the asset ten candles ago.
- How can Freqtrade be used to implement the sell after x candles strategy?
To implement the sell after x candles strategy using Freqtrade, traders can create a new strategy file named sell_after_x_candles.py and include the necessary code to populate the sell trend column, which indicates when to sell the asset. Traders can then backtest the strategy using the freqtrade backtesting command and deploy it to a live trading environment using the freqtrade trade command.
- What are the benefits of the sell after x candles strategy?
The sell after x candles strategy automates the trading process, removing emotions and improving trading efficiency. It also allows traders to better manage risks and provides flexibility to customize the trading activity based on their specific preferences and objectives.
- Why is backtesting important when implementing a trading strategy?
Backtesting is important when implementing a trading strategy as it allows traders to test their strategy on historical data to evaluate its effectiveness. It helps traders identify the strengths and weaknesses in their strategies and optimize them before deploying them in a live trading environment.
- What programming language is Freqtrade based on?
Freqtrade is based on Python, a high-level programming language that is widely used in finance, scientific research, and data analysis. Python's versatility and powerful libraries make it an excellent choice for traders and developers looking to automate the trading process and develop trading strategies.
Tag
"CandleSell"