These pairings help illustrate the relative worth of specific crypto assets — e.g., how much BTC equals in ETH, and how much ETH equals in BCH. Exchanges usually offer several pairing options, which gives you the chance to choose a pairing based on currencies you already possess. For example, if you own BTC, then you can trade with any pairing listed on an exchange that includes BTC. Another benefit of understanding crypto trading pairs is related to trading fees. Simply put, if a crypto trading pair didn’t exist, a user would need to use at least two cryptocurrency pairs to get the desired cryptocurrency as well as pay higher fees.
What Is a Cryptocurrency Trading Pair?
To take full advantage of crypto trading pairs, you need to understand base currencies. Base currencies are a common tool for comparing exchange rates across fiat currencies in different countries. An American traveling to Italy will want to convert USD into the Italian currency, the Euro.
How Do Crypto Trading Pairs Work
However, there are many other cryptos available on the market so there is a wide range of pairs to choose from. Cryptocurrency pairs are a fundamental concept in the world of cryptocurrency trading. In simple terms, a cryptocurrency pair is the quotation of the relative value of two different cryptocurrencies in the market. Understanding how these pairs work is crucial for anyone looking to trade cryptocurrencies, as it provides valuable insights into the market and helps traders make informed decisions. As the other asset trades against the stablecoin, variation in value represents a change against a base or quote currency (depending on the pairing pattern) that doesn’t or hardly shifts from its known value. Traders who wish to verify general price variations for a particular asset consult the stablecoin pair(s).
- In general, arbitraging cryptocurrency trading pairs is an advanced trading strategy and not recommended for novice cryptocurrency traders.
- The issuing process is similar; however, cryptocurrency communities shift their holdings from one to the other depending on market sentiments.
- These pairings help illustrate the relative worth of specific crypto assets — e.g., how much BTC equals in ETH, and how much ETH equals in BCH.
- Trading pairs are crucial when it comes to the analysis of the cryptocurrency market and current market conditions.
- Exotic pairs involve pairing a major cryptocurrency with a lesser-known cryptocurrency or an altcoin.
Why trading pairs matter
Crypto-to-fiat pairs are often the go-to for rookies just dipping their toes into the crypto trading pool or those who still find crypto-to-crypto pairs a bit of a head-scratcher. In this pair, one side is a digital asset and the other is a fiat currency (e.g., USD, EUR, etc.). The value of each crypto trading pair is determined by the current market price of each respective https://cryptolisting.org/ cryptocurrency. For example, if the market price of Ethereum is $200 and the market price of Bitcoin is $10,000, then the value of 1 ETH would be 0.02 BTC (1/5000). This is because major crypto assets enjoy a substantial degree of popularity within the crypto community. The more traders are involved, the fewer complications could happen with a crypto-cross trading pair.
For example, changes in government policies and regulations can affect the adoption and use of cryptocurrencies, which in turn can affect their value. Economic events such as inflation and recession can also have an impact on cryptocurrency prices. These pairs are formed by pairing two different cryptocurrencies together, and their prices are constantly changing based on market supply top reasons banks won’t cash your check and demand. Issued on the Ethereum blockchain, Shiba Inu rose to prominence following some marketing breakthroughs. It has since then climbed the charts and gained a huge community and historically overthrew dogecoin in terms of market cap, it has since returned to levels below Dogecoin. Bitsgap is a crypto aggregator that connects more than 15 top exchanges into one platform.
In December 2021, these four pairs accounted for a sizable chunk of total crypto trade volume. Unlike traditional stock markets, where stocks are often traded against a fiat currency (like USD), crypto trading can involve pairing two cryptocurrencies. This dynamic reflects the decentralized and unique nature of the crypto space. In crypto, you’re not just buying or selling a single asset with fiat; you’re navigating the exchange rates between different digital currencies. This distinction brings both challenges and opportunities for crypto traders.
In most cases, the most popular cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH) serve as base currencies, but accepted base currencies will vary for each exchange. Before diving into trading pairs, investors should confirm which base currencies are accepted at their exchange of choice as well as which trading pairs the exchange offers. In addition, many exchanges offer stablecoin trading pairs, usually pegged to USD. The most versatile cryptocurrency pairs to trade are usually BTC and ETH, as they’re offered by most exchanges.
The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and prices can fluctuate rapidly within a short period of time. This volatility can be caused by various factors such as market sentiment, news, and events, and can have a significant impact on the value of cryptocurrency pairs. Cryptocurrency pairs are necessary in cryptocurrency trading because they allow traders to buy and sell cryptocurrencies based on their relative value to other cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies. Without pairs, traders would not be able to determine the price of a particular cryptocurrency in relation to another. While USDT remains the most common stablecoin pair, there are many stablecoin options gaining market share. Many exchanges offer multiple stablecoin base pairs, with some exchanges offering their own bespoke stablecoin.
A qualified professional should be consulted prior to making financial decisions. That’s because each pair is like its own little universe with its own set of laws – or more accurately, its own order book. Each has its unique lineup of bids and asks, and depending on the market’s mood swings, you might end up paying a pretty penny to trade with these pairs.
Should you need any help, feel free to reach out to our world-class Customer Support Team via 24/7 live chat or email at The starting lineup of base pairs varies by exchange “league.” You’ve got to check each exchange’s trading screen to see which positions they’ve filled. Look for the base/quote pairs listed — that shows the bases accepted for trading plays. Of course, if you’re confident in your selected trading pair and believe you can trade them profitably, there’s no cause for concern. But if you’re still feeling your way around, opting for coins with comparatively lower volatility might be a smart move. Trading pairs, whether they’re crypto-to-fiat or crypto-to-crypto, always consist of a “base” currency and a “quote” currency.
In the chart below, this means that 1 BTC was worth 15.89 ETH at the time of the screenshot. Most price charts, like GeckoTerminal, will let you toggle between the quote currency of the pair and USD. This is because the good old US Dollar is the yardstick by which the entire crypto market is measured. High-volume pairs are more attractive to users because they provide a quick execution of trades. Pairs with a low volume can suffer from slow trade execution and wider spreads which can affect the whole trading experience.