Cryptocurrency has slowly made its way into the mainstream, and more people have begun thinking about their prospects for trading in crypto coins. But one thing that should always be part of any discussion on crypto, regardless of the type of coin, is risk.

Risk is intrinsic to many other types of investment, such as real estate or stocks. But the speculative nature of cryptocurrency value and the volatility of today’s crypto markets merit special consideration, especially from a new investor.

If you’re thinking about trading in crypto, you’ll need to be proactive about risk management for your new assets. A levelheaded approach to risk management will cushion the losses you might incur in your trading journey and help you get the most out of your initial investment. Whether you choose to trade in a mainstream coin like Bitcoin (BTC) or an emerging privacy coin like Monero (XMR), here are five adaptable risk management strategies that you can follow:

Predetermine Your Risk Threshold for Your Crypto Investments

Remember the adage of never risking more than what you can afford to lose? This is definitely something that should apply to your crypto trading experience. The exact amount of risk that a trader can accommodate varies from person to person. But it should be a common practice for a trader to determine their risk threshold and to pattern their crypto investment strategies accordingly.

You should apply this principle in two ways. First, make sure to calculate the risk-reward ratio for entering into the world of cryptocurrency and investing in your chosen coin. Second, decide on a certain amount of money that you’re willing to risk for the time being, and avoid exceeding that amount.

Be forewarned: crypto trading is a field in which you’ll need a lot of self-discipline. It can be very tempting to invest more than you initially planned when the market is bullish. But always keep your emotions in check and let logic—and not hype—guide all your decisions.

Build a Secure Trading Ecosystem for Yourself

The risks that come with individual cryptocurrency coins don’t exist in a vacuum. Your trading ecosystem is as just as important as your coin. If you aren’t careful about your choice of wallet or trading platform, you could end up suffering a heavy blow to your crypto investment. The same goes for your awareness of crypto-related frauds and scams; if you aren’t in the loop, malicious agents could easily take advantage of you and your assets.

Knowing this, commit to building a secure trading ecosystem that gives you full privacy, security, and control over your crypto assets. Find a secure Monero wallet for your XMR coins, and join a crypto exchange of good repute. In addition, be sure to arm yourself with up-to-date information about crypto-related scams and other illicit activities. By doing so, you’ll reduce the risk of being associated with tainted or criminal activity. You’ll also be able to warn your peers about the tactics used by bad actors.

Do Your Research About Risks That Are Tied to Particular Coins

No coin is created equal, and some coins possess unique risks that others do not. One coin may be actively banned in a certain locality, while other coins occupy a gray area in terms of law enforcement. Some coins are more prone to security issues and breaches than others due to the nature of their protocols. Other coins have high liquidity risks attached to them because their markets run hot and cold. It would be good for you to learn these differences so that you’ll be ready for the specific trials and tribulations that come with your chosen coin.

Your choice of coin should reflect your risk appetite as well as personal preferences like privacy and user-friendliness. If all of these are aligned, it won’t be as hard for you to deal with the risks that come your way.

Diversify Your Investment Portfolio

You should also refrain from keeping all your eggs in one basket and anchoring all your investment hopes on crypto. While crypto investments can indeed be extremely rewarding for those who play their cards right, they’re neither a magic bullet nor an adequate replacement for a well-balanced and diversified investment portfolio.

It’s best to view your crypto assets as just one type of investment among many that can increase your personal wealth. Knowing that, work on building an investment portfolio that diversifies your risk. When the value of one asset class fluctuates, at least you’ll have the other investments to balance it out and to keep you out of the red.

Have an Exit Strategy Ready

Lastly, although you may not want to think about the circumstances that would compel you to stop trading in your chosen cryptocurrency, it’s important to plan an emergency exit strategy. You should be able to determine when it’s wise to shift allegiance to another coin or cease trading altogether.

If you’ve determined an entry amount for your venture into crypto, it would be good to decide on the opposite as well. This is called an exit amount, a figure that can serve as a concrete benchmark for stopping dire loss.

Having an exit plan, however, shouldn’t deter you from giving your best effort at trading in crypto. Instead, think of it as making every minute you’ve spent in crypto investments count. Acknowledging the possibility that things could go awry might also encourage you to be more strategic about your crypto trading decisions.

 

Risk is part and parcel of the cryptocurrency trading experience, and the smart trader works around that instead of denying it. Using the tips listed above, incorporate risk management into your overall crypto trading strategy. Your responsiveness to risk could be the deciding factor in the success of your cryptocurrency trading journey.