Gold Trading Strategy for 11th Aug 2025🪙 GOLD (XAU/USD) – 1 Hour Strategy
📈 BUY ABOVE THE HIGH
Trigger: 🕐 1-hour candle closes above $3409.500
Entry: Buy above the high after confirmed candle close
🎯 Targets:
🎯 T1: $3419.000
🎯 T2: $3429.000
🎯 T3: $3439.000
🛡 Stop Loss: Below $3404.000 (or per risk management)
📉 SELL BELOW THE LOW
Trigger: 🕐 1-hour candle closes below $3374.100
Entry: Sell below the low after confirmed candle close
🎯 Targets:
🎯 T1: $3364.000
🎯 T2: $3352.000
🎯 T3: $3340.000
🛡 Stop Loss: Above $3379.000 (or per risk management)
⚠️ Risk & Notes
✅ Wait for candle close beyond levels before entry
✅ Risk only 1–2% per trade
⚡ Avoid entries during major news spikes
📜 Disclaimer
This plan is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Trading carries significant risk. Do your own research, manage your risk carefully, and consult a licensed financial advisor before trading.
GOLD.F trade ideas
Gold analysisGold Weekly + Daily Summary
Weekly: Trend bullish. Main buy zone is 3352–3358 (demand + FVG). If reached, high-probability long.
Daily: Price under supply 3408–3415. If rejected, first drop target is 3386.
If 3386 breaks → likely move into weekly buy zone 3352–3358 before rally.
Overall: Watch 3408–3415 for rejection. 3386 is short-term key. Weekly zone is the bigger swing long area.
Gold Trading Strategy For Next Week✅ Based on the current market structure, gold is likely to maintain a high-level consolidation pattern next week, with a low probability of breaking below the key 3375 support. Although Friday recorded a candlestick with a spike higher followed by a pullback, the 3375 level has been tested multiple times without a decisive break, and the close remained firmly above it, reflecting the resilience of the bulls and the effectiveness of the support.
✅ Since rebounding from the 3268 low, gold has been forming a pattern of higher highs and higher lows, with the overall uptrend remaining intact. The current 1-hour chart shows that gold is still moving within a standard ascending channel, and the short-term trend remains bullish.
✅ Key Technical Levels:
🟢 Downside Support: Raised to the 3380 area. If the price pulls back to this level next week and holds, buying on dips remains the preferred strategy.
🔴 Upside Resistance: Around 3420, which corresponds to the upper boundary of the channel. If the price faces resistance here, short-term selling could be considered, targeting a move back within the channel.
🟠 Breakout Conditions: A breakout above the channel’s upper boundary would signal that bulls may start a new wave of upside momentum. Conversely, if 3380 is decisively broken and the price sustains below it, gold is likely to enter a corrective phase, with an increased risk of retesting the 3375 support.
✅ Trading Strategy Reference:
🔻 Short Position Strategy:
🔰Consider entering short positions in batches if gold rebounds to the 3415-3420 area. Target: 3400-3390;If support breaks, the move may extend to 3380.
🔺 Long Position Strategy:
🔰Consider entering long positions in batches if gold pulls back to the 3375-3380 area. Target: 3400-3410;If resistance breaks, the move may extend to 3420.
🔥Trading Reminder: Trading strategies are time-sensitive, and market conditions can change rapidly. Please adjust your trading plan based on real-time market conditions. If you have any questions or need one-on-one guidance, feel free to contact me🤝
Elliott Wave Analysis – XAUUSD August 10, 2025
1. Momentum Analysis
• D1 Timeframe: Daily momentum lines are still overlapping without a confirmed reversal signal. This suggests that a potential reversal could occur within the next 1–2 days.
• H4 Timeframe: Momentum is currently rising, indicating that prices may continue to climb during the Asian session tomorrow.
• H1 Timeframe: Momentum is also rising, further supporting the expectation of continued upside movement in the Asian session.
________________________________________
2. Wave Structure Analysis
• Current price action is overlapping, reinforcing the hypothesis that an ending diagonal is forming.
• This structure could either be part of Wave 5 (black) or Wave C (black). In both cases, it represents an ending diagonal 12345, with the market currently in Wave 4 (blue).
• Confirmation signal: A sharp and steep decline will confirm the ending diagonal — as mentioned in previous plans, this has not yet occurred.
• The projected completion targets are at 3412 or 3419. If the price breaks 3439, it will likely confirm the completion of Wave 5 (black).
________________________________________
3. Possible Scenarios
• Scenario 1: If the current move is part of a 5-wave 12345 black structure, once Wave 5 completes, a corrective ABC 3-wave decline could follow, targeting 3333.
• Scenario 2: If the current move is part of a 3-wave ABC black structure, once Wave C completes, a 5-wave bearish sequence could unfold, breaking below 3315.
________________________________________
4. Combining Momentum & Wave Structure
Given that:
• D1 is in the overbought zone and could reverse within 1–2 days,
• H4 momentum is rising, and
• Price is likely in Wave 4 (blue),
→ On Monday, we may see one more upward push to complete Wave 5 (blue). This presents a potential SELL opportunity in the 3412–3419 target area.
Since this is a wide zone, it’s best to wait for clear reversal signals before entering.
________________________________________
5. Trade Plan
SELL ZONE 1: 3411 – 3413
• SL: 3416
• TP1: 3400
• TP2: 3381
• TP3: 3342
SELL ZONE 2: 3419 – 3421
• SL: 3429
• TP1: 3400
• TP2: 3381
• TP3: 3342
Revenge Trading – The Silent Account KillerRevenge Trading – The Silent Account Killer
Have you ever taken a loss…
…then jumped right back into the market, not because there was a good setup, but because you wanted to get your money back?
That’s Revenge Trading — and it’s one of the fastest ways to blow up an account.
The Psychology Behind Revenge Trading
When we take a loss, our brain sees it as something stolen from us.
Our natural instinct? Fight back and “win it back.”
But markets don’t care about your feelings.
Trading from anger, frustration, or desperation leads to impulsive decisions, oversized positions, and ignoring your plan.
It’s like driving at full speed right after an accident — you’re more likely to crash again.
The Downward Spiral
Loss → emotional pain
Emotional trading → bigger losses
Bigger losses → more frustration
More frustration → total account wipeout
This cycle has destroyed more traders than bad strategies ever have.
How to Break the Cycle
1. Step away after a loss.
Take a walk, breathe, and let emotions settle.
2. Accept the loss.
Losses are part of trading, not proof you’re a bad trader.
3. Review your trade, not your PnL.
Ask: “Did I follow my plan?” — not “How much did I lose?”
4. Lower size after a losing streak.
Focus on execution, not recovery.
5. Remember: the market will always be there.
You don’t have to win it back today.
The Real Goal
Trading is not about winning every trade.
It’s about staying in the game long enough for your edge to work over time.
Revenge trading shortens your career; discipline extends it.
💬 Question for you:
Have you ever revenge traded?
What helped you stop? Share your experience — it might save another trader’s account.
XAUUSD – the bullish wave is not over yetHello fellow traders,
Gold continues to maintain its impressive upward momentum after reaching a new high at 3,440 USD/oz.
On the technical side , XAUUSD remains within its long-term ascending channel, currently trading around 3,397 USD and holding firm above the key support at 3,278 USD.
On the news front , the rally is fueled by the US imposing a 39% tariff on Swiss gold bars, ongoing geopolitical tensions coupled with stagflation risks, and expectations that the Fed will soon cut interest rates. The Indian market has also hit record highs due to a weaker Rupee, while the widening spread between spot and futures prices reflects tightened supply conditions.
Reference strategy: As long as price holds above 3,278 USD, the preferred scenario is short-term consolidation followed by a breakout above 3,534 USD, aiming for higher levels near the upper boundary of the channel.
What do you think—does XAUUSD have enough momentum to break above 3,440 USD in this move?
Retail Trading1. Introduction to Retail Trading
Retail trading refers to the buying and selling of financial instruments — such as stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, and derivatives — by individual investors using their own money, typically through brokerage platforms or mobile trading apps.
These traders are not institutional players (like mutual funds, hedge funds, or banks); instead, they are everyday market participants — from a college student making their first stock purchase, to a part-time trader running a home-based portfolio.
Over the last decade, retail trading participation has exploded due to:
The rise of zero-commission brokers.
Easy access to online trading platforms.
The spread of financial knowledge via social media.
Increased interest in side income and wealth building.
Example: In India, the number of demat accounts jumped from ~4 crore in 2020 to over 15 crore in 2025, driven by new-age brokers like Zerodha, Upstox, and Groww.
2. Key Characteristics of Retail Trading
While retail trading shares many similarities with institutional trading, it has some distinct features:
Capital Size
Retail traders generally operate with smaller accounts — often ranging from a few thousand to a few lakh rupees (or dollars).
This limits their ability to take large positions, but also allows flexibility in decision-making.
Technology Dependence
Retail traders heavily rely on trading apps, desktop platforms, and charting tools for market analysis.
Information Sources
Unlike institutional traders with in-house research teams, retail traders depend on public news, broker reports, financial websites, and social media influencers.
Trading Goals
Some focus on short-term profits (day trading, scalping).
Others invest for long-term growth (buy-and-hold, SIP investing).
Risk Profile
Many retail traders take higher risks due to limited capital and the pursuit of quick returns, often leading to high volatility in performance.
3. Types of Retail Trading Approaches
Retail traders can adopt different strategies depending on risk appetite, time commitment, and market knowledge.
3.1. Intraday Trading
Holding Period: Seconds to hours.
Traders buy and sell within the same trading day.
Focused on capturing small price movements using technical analysis.
Requires high focus, fast execution, and strong risk control.
Example: Buying Reliance Industries in the morning at ₹2,500 and selling it by afternoon at ₹2,520 for quick profit.
3.2. Swing Trading
Holding Period: Days to weeks.
Aims to capture short-to-medium term market moves.
Uses both technical and fundamental analysis.
Lower stress than intraday but still requires active monitoring.
3.3. Position Trading
Holding Period: Weeks to months.
Based on broader trends and macroeconomic analysis.
Ideal for those who can’t watch markets daily.
3.4. Long-Term Investing
Holding Period: Years.
Based on fundamental strength of companies.
Example: Buying HDFC Bank and holding for 10 years.
3.5. Options & Futures Trading
Derivatives-based approach for hedging or speculation.
Offers leverage but increases risk of rapid losses.
Popular among advanced retail traders.
3.6. Algorithmic & Copy Trading
Using automated systems to execute trades.
Allows participation in markets without constant manual intervention.
4. Evolution of Retail Trading
Retail trading has changed dramatically over the decades:
Pre-2000s – Stock market participation required calling brokers, high commissions, and limited market data access.
2000–2010 – Internet-based trading platforms emerged, reducing costs.
2010–2020 – Mobile trading apps, discount brokers, and zero-commission models gained dominance.
2020–2025 – Explosion of social trading, fractional shares, and AI-driven analytics.
In India, discount brokers like Zerodha revolutionized retail trading by introducing:
Zero delivery charges
Flat brokerage
Advanced charting tools
5. Advantages of Retail Trading
Retail trading offers several benefits to individuals:
Accessibility
Anyone with a smartphone and internet connection can participate.
Low Entry Barrier
You can start with as little as ₹100 in mutual funds or ₹500–₹1,000 in direct stocks.
Flexibility
No fixed work hours — you can trade part-time.
Control
You make your own decisions without relying on fund managers.
Wealth Building
Long-term investing in quality stocks can generate significant returns.
6. Disadvantages & Challenges
While the potential rewards are high, retail trading also has pitfalls:
Emotional Trading
Many retail traders fall prey to fear and greed, exiting too early or chasing losses.
Limited Capital
Small accounts mean higher risk per trade if position sizing is not disciplined.
Lack of Research
Institutions have large research teams; retail traders must rely on self-study.
Overtrading
Constant buying and selling erodes capital through transaction costs.
Market Manipulation Exposure
Retail traders can be victims of pump-and-dump schemes.
7. Common Mistakes by Retail Traders
Chasing Hot Tips – Acting on rumors without verification.
Ignoring Risk Management – Trading without stop-loss orders.
Overusing Leverage – Borrowing too much can lead to rapid losses.
Poor Diversification – Putting all money into one stock or sector.
No Trading Plan – Entering trades without clear entry/exit rules.
8. Tools and Platforms for Retail Trading
8.1. Brokerage Platforms
Zerodha Kite
Upstox Pro
Groww
Angel One
ICICI Direct
8.2. Charting & Analysis Tools
TradingView
MetaTrader 4/5
Investing.com charts
8.3. News & Data Sources
Moneycontrol
Bloomberg
Economic Times Market Live
8.4. Risk Management Tools
Stop-loss orders
Position sizing calculators
Portfolio trackers
9. Risk Management in Retail Trading
Retail traders must protect their capital at all costs:
The 2% Rule – Never risk more than 2% of account size on a single trade.
Stop-Loss Orders – Pre-set levels to exit losing trades automatically.
Diversification – Spread investments across sectors.
Avoiding Leverage Abuse – Use leverage cautiously.
10. Psychology of Retail Trading
Trading success depends heavily on mental discipline:
Patience – Waiting for the right setup.
Discipline – Following your trading plan strictly.
Emotional Control – Avoid revenge trading after losses.
Adaptability – Adjusting to changing market conditions.
Conclusion
Retail trading is no longer a niche — it’s a massive, growing force in global markets.
While it offers incredible opportunities for wealth creation, it also demands discipline, risk management, and continuous learning.
The modern retail trader has more tools, more access, and more market influence than ever before. However, success still boils down to the age-old principles:
Trade with a plan.
Manage risk religiously.
Keep emotions in check.
Stay updated with market trends.
Part3 Learn Instituitional Trading Option Trading in India (NSE)
Popular Instruments:
Nifty 50 Options
Bank Nifty Options
Stock Options (like Reliance, HDFC Bank, Infosys)
FINNIFTY, MIDCPNIFTY
Lot Sizes:
Each option contract has a fixed lot size. For example, Nifty has a lot size of 50.
Margins:
If you buy options, you pay only the premium. But selling options requires high margins (due to unlimited risk).
Risks in Options Trading
While options are powerful, they carry specific risks:
1. Time Decay (Theta)
OTM options lose value fast as expiry nears.
2. Volatility Crush
A sudden drop in volatility (like post-earnings) can cause option premiums to collapse.
3. Illiquidity
Some stock options may have low volumes, making them harder to exit.
4. Assignment Risk
If you’ve sold options, especially ITM, you may be assigned early (in American-style options).
5. Unlimited Loss for Sellers
Option writers (sellers) face potentially unlimited loss (especially naked calls or puts).
XAUUSD Weekly Plan Final Bullish Push Before a Liquidity Sweep?XAUUSD Weekly Plan – Final Bullish Push Before a Liquidity Sweep?
1. Market Context
Last week, Gold kept moving inside the H2–H4 bullish channel, pushing into the FVG High Zone and approaching the major resistance at 3426–3428 (OBS Sell Zone).
Momentum is fading – candles are compressing, and volume is dropping – signaling potential distribution.
2. Macro Outlook (High-Impact USD Data Ahead)
CPI – Aug 12 → Primary driver.
PPI – Aug 14 → Usually a leading signal for CPI.
Unemployment Claims – Aug 14 → Short-term impact.
Expectations:
CPI & PPI likely better than previous month → USD strength → Gold correction (liquidity sweep to the downside).
Weaker-than-expected CPI/PPI → USD weakness → Gold could spike for one last bullish leg before reversing.
3. Technical Overview
H2 bullish channel top aligns with FVG High Zone → big players’ sell limit & profit-taking area.
Main scenario: Test 3426–3428 → Bearish reaction → Channel breakdown → Retest 3395–3400 (VPOC) → Drop toward liquidity pools below.
4. Key Levels
SELL Zone: 3426 – 3428
SL: 3434
TP: 3420 → 3415 → 3410 → 3405 → 3400 → 3395 → 3390 → 3380 → 3370 → 3360
BUY Zone: 3330 – 3328
SL: 3322
TP: 3335 → 3340 → 3350 → 3360 → 3370 → 3380
5. Trading Plan
🔹 Primary SELL Setup:
Wait for price to reach 3426–3428 with H1/H2 bearish candle confirmation.
Take profits gradually at each downside target.
🔹 Counter-trend BUY:
Enter only if price sweeps liquidity into 3330–3328 with strong bullish reaction.
6. Trader’s Notes
Gold may still push $30–$40 higher early next week before hitting OBS Sell Zone.
Expect large SELL volume once in this zone (profit-taking + top-picking by big players).
This should be a short-term correction, not a full trend reversal.
Best to SELL from highs and hold after a confirmed channel breakdown.
7. Risk Note
High-impact week → Possible false breaks before/after CPI & PPI.
Avoid oversized positions during news releases.
A break & hold above 3434 with strong volume invalidates SELL scenario → wait for new structure.
📌 Summary:
Bias: SELL from 3426–3428 → Target liquidity pools down to 3360.
Backup Plan: BUY from 3330–3328 if liquidity grab confirmed.
Manage risk tightly, especially during high-volatility events.
— MMFlow Trading
XAUUSD – consolidating within range, awaiting breakout momentumGold is currently receiving strong support from news that the PBOC has been buying gold for nine consecutive months , bringing reserves close to 74 million troy ounces . This is a strategic move aimed at strengthening financial security and r educing reliance on the US dollar , which has created a positive sentiment in the market.
On the H4 chart, XAUUSD remains range-bound between 3,344 and 3,408 , with strong rebounds from the lower support zone. The price structure suggests that selling pressure is weakening , while buying momentum is building a base.
The preferred scenario is that the price will continue consolidating in a narrow range , then retest 3,344 before rising toward the 3,408 resistance and potentially higher if a breakout occurs. As long as support holds firm , the mild uptrend is likely to continue.
Gold update 8 AugAs mentioned in my earlier post that gold is in a no trade zone between 3360 and 3400. The zone remains the same. As we can see it’s been trading in the same range for more than 12 hours. Can seen as good consolidation and getting ready for a big move likely to be up side. Above 3405 it has potential to test it previous high which is around 3500. Don’t over trade now in these zones. Save the capital for the big moves.
Part2 Ride The Big MovesIntroduction to Options Trading
Options trading is one of the most powerful tools in financial markets. Unlike traditional stock trading, where you buy and sell shares directly, options give you the right but not the obligation to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price before a specific date. This flexibility allows traders to hedge risks, generate income, and speculate on price movements with limited capital.
In recent years, options trading has seen a surge in popularity, especially among retail investors. With the growth of online trading platforms and educational resources, more traders are exploring this complex yet rewarding field.
What Is an Option?
An option is a financial derivative contract. It derives its value from an underlying asset—commonly a stock, index, ETF, or commodity.
There are two types of options:
Call Option: Gives the holder the right to buy the asset at a fixed price (strike price) before or on the expiry date.
Put Option: Gives the holder the right to sell the asset at a fixed price before or on the expiry date.
Key Terms to Know:
Strike Price: The price at which the option can be exercised.
Premium: The price paid to purchase the option.
Expiration Date: The last date on which the option can be exercised.
Underlying Asset: The financial instrument (like a stock) the option is based on.
In the Money (ITM): When exercising the option would be profitable.
Out of the Money (OTM): When exercising the option would not be profitable.
At the Money (ATM): When the strike price is equal to the market price.
XAUUSD Gold Trading Strategy August 8, 2025XAUUSD Gold Trading Strategy August 8, 2025:
Gold prices have approached the 340x area and have fallen sharply to the 338x support area at the beginning of today's trading session.
Basic news: President Trump announced to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in response to continued oil imports from Russia. Reports show that Trump may meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week.
Technical analysis: Gold prices are currently in an uptrend channel, but the trading range is showing signs of narrowing. The possibility that the price will correct at this 340x area is very high; if the gold price creates a double peak pattern in the H1 frame, the price range of 3375 - 3380 will confirm the pattern and create a strong downward force for the gold price. If gold forms a double top pattern here, this correction could take gold to the 3350 or even 3330 area.
Important price zones today: 3375 - 3380, 3405 - 3410 and 3420 - 3425.
Today's trading trend: SELL.
Recommended orders:
Plan 1: SELL XAUUSD zone 3407 - 3409
SL 3412
TP 3404 - 3394 - 3374 - 3354.
Plan 2: SELL XAUUSD zone 3423 - 3425
SL 3428
TP 3420 - 3410 - 3390 - 3370.
Plan 3: BUY XAUUSD zone 3375 - 3377
SL 3372
TP 3380 - 3390 - 3400.
Wish you a safe, successful and profitable trading weekend.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Elliott Wave Analysis – XAUUSD August 8, 2025📊
🔍 Momentum
• D1 Timeframe: Daily momentum is currently turning down, limiting the potential for a long-term rally in the current bullish wave. This also suggests that the top may already have formed around the 3,409 level.
• H4 Timeframe: Momentum is still declining and needs about one more H4 candle to reverse upward. For now, the downward move is likely to continue, so caution is advised.
• H1 Timeframe: Showing early signs of a short-term bearish reversal. This decline is important and will be analyzed further after the wave structure review.
🌀 Wave Structure
The current price action suggests a potential Ending Diagonal formation. Once completed, this pattern is typically followed by a sharp and sudden drop.
So far, no sharp decline has occurred, meaning the ending diagonal may not be finished yet. The ideal completion zones for Wave 5 are around 3412 or 3419.
Ending diagonals tend to develop in a complex manner, so a safer approach is to enter trades after price breaks below the lower boundary of the diagonal.
👉 Additional Scenario: If H1 momentum reverses downward and price breaks below 3381, it is likely to drop toward 3371. This area could be considered for a Buy setup.
Conversely, if price does not break below 3381 and instead rises toward 3412, it may indicate that Wave 5 is completing at that level.
📈 Trading Plan
• SELL Zone 1: 3412 – 3414
o SL: 3417
o TP1: 3393
o TP2: 3372
• SELL Zone 2: 3419 – 3421
o SL: 3429
o TP1: 3395
o TP2: 3372
Gold Analysis and Trading Strategy | August 8✅ Fundamental Analysis
🔹 Weak U.S. Labor Data: The latest data shows initial jobless claims rising to 226,000, with continuing claims reaching 1.974 million, indicating clear signs of labor market weakness.
🔹 Rising Rate Cut Expectations: The market is now pricing in over a 91% probability that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in September. The U.S. Dollar Index has come under pressure, falling toward the 98.36 level, which is providing support for gold prices.
✅ Technical Analysis
🔸 The gold market has seen intense competition between bulls and bears recently. While prices have made several short-term breakouts, the broader trend remains a wide consolidation between the 3400–3370 range. The monthly chart has shown four consecutive months of intraday highs followed by pullbacks, with continuous upper wicks, reflecting significant selling pressure at higher levels. From a pattern perspective, the outlook leans toward a medium-term rally followed by a pullback. The key uncertainty is whether gold will turn lower immediately after piercing the 3400 level, or push to new all-time highs before entering a correction.
🔸 We have repeatedly emphasized the potential for gold to test the 3400 level, with particular attention on the 3405–3410 resistance zone. As of yesterday’s close, the daily chart still failed to hold above 3400, suggesting bullish momentum remains unstable. In the Asian session today, gold opened higher around 3403, showing sharp intraday volatility—first rallying to 3406, then falling to 3396, rebounding to 3409, and then quickly dropping to 3382. This price action highlights the fierce tug-of-war between buyers and sellers. The main driver behind these swings remains tariff-related news impacting market sentiment.
🔴 Resistance Levels: 3405–3410 / 3432–3439
🟢 Support Levels: 3375–3370 / 3345–3350
✅ Trading Strategy Reference:
🔻 Short Position Strategy:
🔰Consider entering short positions in batches if gold rebounds to the 3402–3408 area. Target: 3370-3360;If support breaks, the move may extend to 3350.
🔺 Long Position Strategy:
🔰Consider entering long positions in batches if gold pulls back to the 3345-3350 area. Target: 3365-3375;If resistance breaks, the move may extend to 3385.
🔥Trading Reminder: Trading strategies are time-sensitive, and market conditions can change rapidly. Please adjust your trading plan based on real-time market conditions. If you have any questions or need one-on-one guidance, feel free to contact me🤝
Smart Money Concepts 1. Introduction to Smart Money Concepts
The financial markets aren’t just a free-for-all where everyone has the same chance of winning. If you’ve ever felt like the market moves against you right after you enter a trade, it’s probably not your imagination. This is where Smart Money Concepts come in — the idea that large, professional market participants (banks, hedge funds, institutions) have both the resources and the incentive to move the market in a way that benefits them… and often at the expense of retail traders.
The goal of SMC trading is to stop following the herd and start trading in alignment with the “smart money” — the institutional order flow that truly drives price movement.
2. Who is the Smart Money?
Smart money refers to the participants with:
Large capital (able to move the market)
Market-making power (often acting as liquidity providers)
Insider knowledge (economic data in advance, order book depth)
Advanced tools (algorithms, AI, high-frequency trading systems)
Examples:
Central banks
Commercial banks
Hedge funds
Institutional asset managers
Proprietary trading firms
Market makers
Their advantages:
Access to better information (they see real liquidity and order flow)
Ability to manipulate price to hunt liquidity
Risk management expertise
Patience — they don’t rush into trades, they wait for key liquidity zones.
3. The Core Philosophy of SMC
SMC focuses less on retail-style indicators (like MACD, RSI) and more on:
Market structure
Liquidity
Order blocks
Fair Value Gaps
Breaker blocks
Institutional order flow
Stop hunts (liquidity grabs)
The key principle is:
Price moves from liquidity to liquidity, driven by institutions filling their large orders.
This means:
Market doesn’t move randomly.
Smart money often manipulates price to take out retail stops before moving in the intended direction.
Your job is to identify their footprints.
4. Understanding Market Structure in SMC
Market structure is the skeleton of price movement. In SMC, we read structure to know where we are in the trend and what smart money is doing.
4.1. Types of Structure
Bullish Market Structure
Higher Highs (HH) and Higher Lows (HL)
Smart money accumulates before pushing higher.
Bearish Market Structure
Lower Lows (LL) and Lower Highs (LH)
Smart money distributes before dropping price.
Consolidation
Sideways movement — often accumulation or distribution phases.
4.2. Market Structure Shifts (MSS)
When the trend changes:
In bullish trend: price breaks below the last HL → bearish MSS.
In bearish trend: price breaks above the last LH → bullish MSS.
MSS is often the first sign of a reversal.
5. Liquidity in SMC
Liquidity = resting orders in the market.
Institutions need liquidity to execute large trades without causing excessive slippage.
5.1. Where Liquidity Exists:
Above swing highs (buy stops)
Below swing lows (sell stops)
Round numbers (psychological levels)
Previous day/week highs & lows
Session highs/lows (London, New York)
Imbalance zones
5.2. Liquidity Hunts (Stop Hunts)
Before moving price in their intended direction, smart money will:
Push price above a recent high → triggering buy stops → fill their sell orders.
Push price below a recent low → triggering sell stops → fill their buy orders.
This shakeout removes retail traders and positions institutions in the opposite direction.
6. Order Blocks
An order block is the last bullish or bearish candle before a strong move.
Why they matter:
They represent areas where institutions placed large positions.
Price often returns to these zones to mitigate orders.
Types of Order Blocks:
Bullish Order Block
Last bearish candle before price rises aggressively.
Acts as demand zone.
Bearish Order Block
Last bullish candle before price drops aggressively.
Acts as supply zone.
Rules:
Price should break market structure after forming the order block.
Volume/impulse should confirm institutional involvement.
7. Fair Value Gaps (FVG)
Also called imbalances — when price moves too quickly, leaving inefficiency in the market.
7.1. How to Spot:
On a 3-candle pattern, if candle 1’s high is below candle 3’s low (in a bullish move), a gap exists in the middle.
7.2. Why Important:
Institutions tend to return to fill these gaps before continuing the move.
FVG acts as a magnet for price.
8. Accumulation & Distribution
This is where smart money quietly builds or unloads positions.
8.1. Accumulation
Occurs in ranges after downtrends.
Characterized by liquidity grabs below support.
Goal: institutions buy without alerting retail traders.
8.2. Distribution
Occurs in ranges after uptrends.
Characterized by liquidity grabs above resistance.
Goal: institutions sell to retail buyers before dropping price.
9. The SMC Trading Process
Let’s break down a step-by-step approach:
Identify Bias
Use higher timeframe market structure to determine bullish/bearish bias.
Mark Liquidity Zones
Previous highs/lows, order blocks, FVGs.
Wait for Liquidity Grab
Smart money often sweeps liquidity before the real move.
Look for Market Structure Shift
A break of structure confirms the reversal or continuation.
Find Entry at Key Level
Often inside order block or FVG after MSS.
Set Stop Loss
Below/above liquidity sweep.
Target Opposite Liquidity Pool
Price moves from one liquidity area to another.
10. Example Trade
Scenario:
EURUSD is in bullish higher timeframe trend.
On 1H chart: price sweeps previous day’s low (grabbing sell-side liquidity).
MSS occurs → break above minor high.
Price returns to bullish order block.
Entry placed, SL below OB, TP at previous high (buy-side liquidity).
XAU/USDThis XAU/USD trade setup is a buy trade, reflecting a bullish outlook on gold prices. The entry price is 3388, with a stop-loss at 3380 and a target exit price at 3454. The trade aims to capture a 13-point gain while limiting the risk to 6 points, offering a solid risk-to-reward ratio of over 1:2.
Buying at 3388 suggests that the trader expects gold to rise, potentially driven by a weaker US dollar, lower bond yields, or increased global economic uncertainty, which boosts demand for gold as a safe-haven asset. The exit price at 3406 is likely set just below a resistance level where the trader anticipates price action may slow or reverse.
The stop-loss at 3380 is placed closely below the entry to protect against sudden downside moves. Given the tight stop, the trade requires good timing—ideally after bullish confirmation or during strong upward momentum.
This setup is ideal for short-term intraday trading, combining limited risk with decent reward potential. Sticking to the plan with disciplined execution and proper risk management increases the chances of a successful outcome in this XAU/USD trade.
XAUUSD – Gold stays hot, bullish trend still intactGold continues to be in the spotlight as a combination of macroeconomic factors and technical structure supports further upside momentum.
Market Overview:
- Analysts have revised gold price forecasts upward to the $3,500–$3,600/oz range, driven by a weaker USD and concerns over slowing US growth.
- Labour market data from the US is showing weakness, with rising jobless claims – increasing expectations that the Fed may cut rates in September.
- Geopolitical tensions and global trade uncertainties are boosting gold's appeal as a safe haven asset.
- Strong investor interest: Trading volumes in gold futures have risen significantly, indicating heavy participation from big money.
Technical Analysis:
- Price is clearly moving within an ascending channel, reflecting a stable medium-term uptrend.
- Gold is currently testing the short-term resistance around $3,408 , with potential for a minor correction toward support near $3,350 , which aligns with the lower boundary of the channel.
- As long as price remains inside the ascending channel, the bullish bias remains valid.
Trading Strategy
Look for long entries near the $3,350 support zone on a pullback.
Short-term target: $3,408 – Mid-term target: $3,500+
Stop-loss: Below $3,320
In summary , gold is receiving strong support from both fundamentals and technicals. Buying the dips remains the preferred strategy in the current setup.
XAU/USDThis XAU/USD trade setup is a buy trade, reflecting a bullish outlook on gold prices. The entry price is 3393, with a stop-loss at 3387 and a target exit price at 3406. The trade aims to capture a 13-point gain while limiting the risk to 6 points, offering a solid risk-to-reward ratio of over 1:2.
Buying at 3393 suggests that the trader expects gold to rise, potentially driven by a weaker US dollar, lower bond yields, or increased global economic uncertainty, which boosts demand for gold as a safe-haven asset. The exit price at 3406 is likely set just below a resistance level where the trader anticipates price action may slow or reverse.
The stop-loss at 3387 is placed closely below the entry to protect against sudden downside moves. Given the tight stop, the trade requires good timing—ideally after bullish confirmation or during strong upward momentum.
This setup is ideal for short-term intraday trading, combining limited risk with decent reward potential. Sticking to the plan with disciplined execution and proper risk management increases the chances of a successful outcome in this XAU/USD trade.