Swing Trading Crypto: How to Capture Multi-Day Moves
Swing trading captures the meat of price moves—holding for days to weeks. Less screen time than scalping, bigger profits per trade than day trading.
- Swing trading holds positions for days to weeks, capturing larger moves with less screen time than day trading.
- Use daily for trend direction, 4H for entry timing. Let trades breathe—don't over-manage.
- Thrive identifies swing setups on daily/4H and alerts you when high-probability entries form.
Explore Swing Setups
Click through different swing trading strategies:
Timeframe
Daily + 4H
Hold Period
3-10 days
Setup
Strong daily uptrend, 4H pullback to support/MA
Entry
Enter on 4H bullish rejection at support
Target
Previous swing high or 1.5-2x ATR
Stop Loss
Below pullback low
The classic swing trade: buy the dip in an uptrend. Daily confirms direction, 4H provides entry. Pullbacks to 20/50 EMA or horizontal support offer best R:R. Let the trade breathe—don't over-manage.
Trail stop to breakeven after 1R gained. Scale out 50% at first target, let rest run with trailing stop.
What Is Swing Trading?
Swing trading captures price "swings"—the natural oscillations that occur within trends. Markets don't move in straight lines; they swing. Swing traders profit from these multi-day moves.
The sweet spot: more profit per trade than scalping, less time commitment than day trading, more action than position trading. Swing trading works well with a day job—you check charts once or twice daily, not constantly.
Core Swing Setups
Trend Pullback Swing
The classic: buy the dip in an uptrend. Daily shows clear uptrend (HH, HL). 4H shows pullback to support or moving average. Enter on 4H bullish rejection. Target previous swing high or extension. This setup has high win rate when trend is strong.
Breakout Swing
Trade range breakouts on daily timeframe. Wait for consolidation with declining volume. Enter on daily close above resistance with volume confirmation. Target measured move. If no follow-through in 2-3 days, reconsider.
Reversal Swing
Counter-trend at major weekly level. Higher risk, bigger reward. Requires weekly support + daily reversal confirmation. Don't front-run—wait for structure break. These setups need more patience.
Range Swing
Trade the range on 4H timeframe. Buy support, sell resistance. More reliable than scalping ranges due to cleaner structure. Works when daily is ranging (no clear trend).
| Setup | Timeframe | Hold Period | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trend Pullback | Daily + 4H | 3-10 days | High (60%+) |
| Breakout | Daily | 5-15 days | Medium (50%) |
| Reversal | Weekly + Daily | 1-4 weeks | Lower (45%) |
| Range | 4H | 1-5 days | High (60%+) |
Swing Trade Entries
Entry timing matters but isn't as critical as scalping. You have more room for imprecision.
Entry Techniques
- 4H rejection: Enter on 4H bullish rejection candle at daily support
- Break of structure: Enter on 4H break of local resistance after pullback
- Limit orders: Place limits at key levels, let price come to you
- Scale in: Enter 50% at first confirmation, add 50% on continuation
Related reading: Fibonacci Trading for pullback entry levels.
Trade Management
Don't over-manage swing trades. Let them breathe. The edge is in holding through the noise.
Stop Placement
Structure-based: below pullback low for longs, above pullback high for shorts. Give enough room—swings need space. 1-2x ATR buffer beyond structure.
Profit Taking
- Move stop to breakeven after 1R gained
- Scale out 50% at first target
- Trail stop on remaining 50%
- Don't take full profit too early—let winners run
Common Swing Trading Mistakes
- Over-managing: Checking constantly, moving stops, exiting early = missing swings
- Wrong timeframe: Using 15m for swing entries = too much noise
- Fighting the trend: Counter-trend swings have lower win rate—trade with daily trend
- No patience: Exiting because "nothing's happening" = cutting winners early
- Ignoring levels: Swings need structure—random entries don't work
Frequently Asked Questions
What is swing trading?
Swing trading captures price "swings"—moves that last days to weeks. Unlike scalping (minutes) or position trading (months), swing trading sits in the middle. You identify a setup, enter, and hold until the swing completes.
What timeframes do swing traders use?
Daily chart for trend and key levels. 4H chart for entry timing. Some use weekly for macro context. The setup should be visible on daily, with entry refined on 4H. Don't use 1m/5m for swing trades—too much noise.
How long do swing trades last?
Typically 3-15 days. Sometimes shorter if target hit quickly. Occasionally longer for larger swings. The trade lasts until the swing completes or thesis invalidates. Don't rush exits based on time alone.
What is a pullback swing trade?
The classic swing setup: identify strong trend on daily, wait for pullback to support/MA on 4H, enter on bounce confirmation. You're buying the dip in an uptrend or selling the rally in a downtrend.
How much should I risk on swing trades?
1-2% of account per trade is standard. Since you're taking fewer trades than scalpers, you can risk slightly more per trade. But don't exceed 2%—drawdowns hurt more when trades are slower to replace.
Should I hold swing trades overnight?
Yes, that's the point. Swing trades require holding through overnight and weekend closes. This exposes you to gap risk but captures larger moves. If you can't handle overnight exposure, stick to day trading.
When do I exit a swing trade?
Exit options: (1) Price hits your target, (2) Trailing stop triggered, (3) Thesis invalidates (structure breaks against you), (4) Better opportunity appears (but don't chase). Have exit plan before entry.
Is swing trading good for beginners?
Better than scalping. Slower pace allows time to think. Fewer decisions per day. Can work with a day job. But still requires skill—you must understand trend, levels, and risk management. Start paper trading.