BanklessTimes
Home Invest in Ethereum in 2023 How to Trade Ethereum in 2023

How to Trade Ethereum in 2023

Danny Maiorca
Danny Maiorca
Danny Maiorca
Author:
Danny Maiorca
Writer
Danny is a freelance writer specialising in technology and finance. Prior to working for himself, he spent several years working within those sectors in London. Since then, Danny has relocated to Denmark.
April 19th, 2023

Within this article, we’ll be looking at all the things you need to know about trading one of the most popular cryptocurrencies on the market today, Ethereum (ETH).

In addition, we’ll be telling you everything you should look out for and the different methods you can utilize.

Ethereum is a well-known and widely traded cryptocurrency with a market cap of around $550 billion. This guide will tell you where you can trade Ethereum and answer some frequently asked questions.

Best Ethereum Trading Brokers

If you want to start trading Ethereum, check out the table below for a list of top trading brokers online.

How to Trade Ethereum

To trade cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, you’ll need to follow the points below.

What Do I Need to Trade Cryptocurrency?

The first thing you need to consider is what you want to get out of cryptocurrency trading.

For example, if you’re going to buy and hold your coins for the long term, you’ll need a private wallet to store your coins.

If you’re looking to trade on a regular basis, then an account on a regulated trading platform is recommended.

Furthermore, if you’re looking to speculate on the price of the coin without owning the underlying asset, then CFD brokers may be the one for you.

You’ll also need to understand the common terminology and principles within online crypto trading. You should understand how price spreads work and how Ethereum’s price behaves in relation to other international markets.

Where Do You Trade Cryptocurrencies?

Here’s a brief look at some of the most common services you can use when trading:

Exchange:

  • A cryptocurrency exchange is a trading platform where you can swap different currencies. Either fiat into crypto, or crypto into another crypto. These exchanges can be a little challenging for newcomers to use, but they’re often the most popular choice for both skilled and unskilled traders. Notably, they are also a target for hackers, so you should think about keeping your funds in a separate wallet for additional security, especially if you do not intend to sell them any time soon. Always enable 2-factor authentication as well.

Broker Account:

  • A broker is a trading platform where you can open an account and make investments, either in holding shares, cryptocurrencies, or other assets. There are many brokerages available, all of which differ slightly. That being said, there are a few things you need to know. For one, a CFD broker lets you trade your assets without owning the underlying asset. You speculate on their value, but you cannot withdraw your Ethereum and spend it. Instead, you would withdraw the profits in your regular fiat currency account.

Wallet:

  • A crypto wallet is a device, service, or program which holds the keys used to send and receive cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum. If you have your own wallet, your Ethereum coins will be more secure than they would be if you left them in an exchange account.

Should I Trade Cryptocurrencies?

This is entirely up to you. Cryptocurrencies offer plenty of potential gains, especially if you understand the cryptocurrency market. However, there is also the potential to lose money if your trades do not go as expected.

Many platforms let you try a demo account where you can practice trading Ethereum without risking any real money. This is a great way to hone your trading techniques and get acclimatized to the financial markets.

What Is the Best Way to Trade Ethereum for a Beginner?

If you are new to the crypto space and want to make money with Ethereum, you should consider using a broker as you can forgo the process of actually purchasing and holding Ethereum coins.

CFD trading essentially means that you own a contract regarding the value of Ethereum but not the coins themselves. As such, you don’t need to think about finding a wallet or a place to keep them safe. If you decide you want to own Ethereum, you can move to trade on a crypto exchange at a later date, especially if you’re going to hold various cryptocurrencies or trade them for each other.

When you use a CFD platform, you’ll sometimes get the option to execute leveraged trades.

This is when you can borrow funds to make larger trades. The amount you can borrow varies on the platform and the chosen asset – some platforms offer 100x the size of your original stake.

Leveraged trading is an excellent way to maximize profits, but it can also lead to higher losses as well. That’s why it’s a tool that most experienced traders use profitably.

As such, we recommend beginner investors stay away from leveraged trading until they know what they are doing.

How to Trade Ethereum Using a Broker

There are so many brokers through which you can trade cryptocurrency. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Open an Account with Your Preferred Broker

The first thing you need to do is sign up with a crypto broker. Luckily, this is a quick and easy process. First, choose a broker that has a secure platform that is easy to use. You’ll also want to make sure they have narrow price spreads. Then, you’ll have to provide personal documentation to confirm your identity, just like you would if you were opening an online banking account.

Step 2: Deposit Funds into Your Account

There are numerous payment methods you can use to add funds to your trading platform account. Typically most brokerages will let you use credit or debit cards and bank transfers. Some will also allow you to use PayPal, but this is less common. Once your payment method is set up, you’re ready to start trading.

Step 3: Figure out Your Trading Strategy

There are many common ways you can trade Ethereum. These include:

  • Day trading: This involves opening and closing an Ethereum position on the same day, hoping to make quick gains. If you want to day trade and earn money, you need to learn to read charts, also referred to as technical analysis.

  • Swing trading: This is another short-term strategy, but with a more patient timeframe than day trading. Typically, swing traders will hold onto an asset from anywhere between one day to a few days. The aim is to profit from price changes or price swings.

  • Scalping: This technique involves capitalizing on market inefficiencies to make repeated gains. These gains will not be substantial, but they add up over time. Two approaches are arbitrage and spread scalping. Arbitrage involves looking for discrepancies between the bid and ask of two brokers, then using that discrepancy to your advantage. Spread scalping is the same sort of thing, but you use the same broker. Many cryptocurrency brokers ban this technique, so make sure your broker allows this practice before trying it.

  • Automated trading: This type of trade is done through computer algorithms. Indicators and statistical arbitrage can be used to automate the process. This is sometimes referred to as robot trading. A word of warning, this automated trading is very risky and often results in a loss, especially if you go with an unregulated service. For automated trading, you can use one of the trading robots.

All of these strategies have their own advantages and disadvantages. Consider how quickly you want to place trades, how long you are willing to wait for a profit, and if you wish to place trades yourself or let a robot do all the work for you.

If you would rather purchase and hold Ethereum, this could result in long-term gains, especially if you buy when prices are low and exercise patience before selling.

Step 4: Place Your First Trade

Once you’ve completed your research, chosen an Ethereum trading platform, deposited your funds, and settled on your preferred trading technique, you can go ahead and start trading. Use the search bar to locate the ETH/USD or ETH/GBP market and confirm the transaction.

How to Trade Ethereum Using an Exchange

When you use an exchange, you deal with the market directly and prices are set in real-time by traders all over the world.

If you are thinking about using an exchange for the first time, follow this step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Decide Which Exchange is Right for You

There are many things you need to consider when choosing an exchange. This includes the reputation, the trading fees, and the choices available to you as a trader.

Step 2: Set up Your Account

Once you have selected an exchange that suits your needs, you need to create your account. Typically, you will need to provide some relevant contact information and verify your identity with photo identification. You’ll also have to link a payment method so you can deposit funds.

Step 3: Select Which Cryptos You Want to Purchase

Exchanges usually have a range of coins. When you buy crypto, you typically do so in pairs. This means you can hold different coins or swap Ethereum for any of them – including ripple (ETH/XRP), Bitcoin (ETH/BTC), or a fiat currency (ETH/USD).

Step 4: Place Your Trade

Exchanges offer numerous strategies when it comes to making trades. Some of your options may include:

  • Buy order: This is when you simply purchase a number of crypto coins.

  • Sell order: This is when you close your trade, either by selling your Ethereum to make a profit or to limit your losses.

  • Put/call: When you trade with options, you can bet on Ethereum’s price going up or down. You purchase the contract that gives you the opportunity to buy or sell crypto at a specific price and a specific date.

  • Market order: This is when you purchase Ethereum straight away according to the current market value.

  • Limit order: This is when you intend to purchase Ethereum, but you only want to pay a certain amount. Therefore, you set that price beforehand and ensure you do not purchase coins for more than the amount you are happy to spend.

  • Stop-loss order: This is when you purchase crypto, then set your account to sell the coins if the value falls past a certain point. For example, if you buy Ethereum for $1000 and choose a stop-loss order at $900, you will limit your loss to 10%.

Step 5: Receive Your Coins

Once you have bought your Ethereum coins on an exchange, you can store them in a digital wallet provided by the exchange. However, we recommend transferring them to a personal wallet if you want added security.

What Are the Alternative Ways to Get Ethereum?

There are many different ways to get Ethereum, and each one has its own set of perks. These include:

Final Thoughts on Trading Ethereum

As you can see, there are numerous things you need to consider when trading Ethereum. Whether you want to use a trading platform, exchange, or some other method, there’ll be a way to trade Ethereum that suits your investment needs. If you are looking for a reliable platform to do business, we recommend Coinbase for beginners and Binance for more advanced traders. However, there are many services available that may suit you better.

FAQs

Can I deposit money using PayPal to trade Ethereum?

Yes, some trading platforms will let you deposit money using PayPal to trade Ethereum, but you’ll have to research this for your chosen platform, as this is not commonplace.

Can I deposit money using a credit/debit card to trade Ethereum?

Credit and debit cards are some of the most widely accepted payment methods to deposit funds to trade Ethereum.

Can I deposit money using a bank wire transfer to trade Ethereum?

Yes, you can also use a bank transfer to pay for Ethereum directly on many platforms.

Will I lose money trading Ethereum?

Trading always carries some risk. The cryptocurrency markets are very volatile. While you can make a healthy profit trading Ethereum, you could lose it if the market turns against you.

Is Ethereum safe to trade?

This depends on your trading strategy and the platform you choose to trade on. We’d recommend you stay away from unregulated trading platforms and only invest with money you can afford to lose. Also, always activate 2-factor authentication.

What are the trading hours of the Ethereum market?

There are no trading hours. Cryptocurrencies are one of the few assets that can be traded round the clock.

Can I trade Ethereum on my mobile phone?

Yes, many platforms have a dedicated mobile app that can be downloaded for iOS and Android.

Is it easy to withdraw my profits?

Yes, most platforms will let you withdraw your funds without hassle, though you may have to wait a few days for the funds to reach your bank account.

Read More About Ethereum

Contributors

Danny Maiorca
Writer
Danny is a freelance writer specialising in technology and finance. Prior to working for himself, he spent several years working within those sectors in London. Since then, Danny has relocated to Denmark.