Volatility describes how much the price of a cryptocurrency changes over a chosen period of time. High volatility means the price can rise and fall sharply; low volatility means the price moves relatively smoothly. It is one of the key indicators of risk: the cryptocurrency market is traditionally considered more volatile than many classic financial markets.

There are several reasons for the heightened variability: the comparatively small liquidity of individual assets, sensitivity to news and participant sentiment, and a high share of speculative trades. For a trader, volatility is both a source of opportunities and of risk: wide swings give a chance for profit, but they can just as easily lead to losses.

What is important to consider

• high volatility increases both potential returns and the risk of losses;
• swings intensify amid low liquidity and against the backdrop of sharp news;
• risk management — position size, diversification, stop orders — helps reduce the impact of sharp moves.

Understanding volatility helps to realistically assess risks and not to make impulsive decisions during sharp market moves.