> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bitbrokertrade.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# BitBrokerTrade vs. Updown: choose the right strategy

> Compare the BitBrokerTrade MACD strategy (15-min candles) with the Updown strategy (1-min candles) and choose the best approach for your goal.

When creating a trader, you choose which trading strategy it should follow. BitBrokerTrade offers two strategies: the **BitBrokerTrade strategy** (based on the MACD indicator) and the **Updown strategy** (based on minute-by-minute prices). Both strategies work fundamentally differently, the right choice depends on your trading preference and the market conditions.

## The BitBrokerTrade strategy

The BitBrokerTrade strategy is based on the **MACD indicator** (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) and works with **15-minute candles**. The strategy follows the broader price trend and only trades at key moments.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Buy" icon="cart-plus">
    The trader buys **only** at the moment a rising price trend begins, that is, when the blue MACD line crosses the red signal line upward.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sell" icon="circle-dollar-to-slot">
    The trader sells **only** at the moment the price trend switches from rising to falling, that is, when the blue line crosses the red line downward.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Because the strategy works with 15-minute candles, **a maximum of one buy or sell moment per 15 minutes** can be generated. This ensures a quieter trading profile with fewer transactions but more weight per signal.

<Tip>
  The BitBrokerTrade strategy is especially suitable if you prefer a stable, trend-following system with fewer transactions and a longer time horizon per position.
</Tip>

***

## The Updown strategy

The Updown strategy does **not** follow a MACD trend calculation, but simply checks whether the current minute's price is higher or lower than the previous minute's. The strategy works with **1-minute candles**.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Buy" icon="cart-plus">
    Every minute the average price is determined. Is it **higher than the previous minute**? Then the Updown strategy generates a buy signal. The first purchase takes place immediately after activation of the trader, provided the price is rising at that moment.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sell" icon="circle-dollar-to-slot">
    Is the average price of the last candle **fundamentally lower** than the previous candle? Then the strategy generates a sell signal. As long as the price is still rising, the Updown does not sell, it waits for a real downward movement.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

The buy amount is **18% of your free euro balance** (or the fixed amount you set), with a **minimum of € 50** per transaction. **A maximum of one buy or sell moment per minute** can be generated.

<Tip>
  The Updown strategy is especially suitable if you want to benefit from higher activity and more transactions in a volatile market.
</Tip>

***

## Comparison

| Feature                | BitBrokerTrade strategy             | Updown strategy                                   |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Method**             | MACD trend calculation              | Minute-by-minute price                            |
| **Candle interval**    | 15 minutes                          | 1 minute                                          |
| **Max. signals**       | 1 per 15 minutes                    | 1 per minute                                      |
| **First purchase**     | On first buy cross after activation | Immediately after activation (if price is rising) |
| **Minimum buy amount** | € 25                                | € 50                                              |
| **Transaction volume** | Lower                               | Higher                                            |
| **Market condition**   | Trend markets, quieter              | Volatile markets, active                          |
| **MACD used**          | Yes                                 | No                                                |

***

## Common behavior

Regardless of which strategy you choose, the following always applies: a buy or sell signal is **only acted upon if all your individual trader settings are met**. The strategy determines the signal moment, but the settings determine whether the signal actually leads to an order.

<Accordion title="Which settings does the trader check on each signal?">
  On each signal, the trader checks the following settings:

  * **Minimum profit percentage**: is the current return high enough to allow selling?
  * **Maximum open buys**: has the maximum number of open positions not yet been reached?
  * **Price ceiling (stop buying above)**: is the current price below the set ceiling?
  * **Minimum percentage between transactions**: is the price difference from the previous purchase sufficient?
  * **Average buy amount**: is there enough euro balance available for a new position?

  Only if all relevant conditions are met does the trader send an order to the exchange.
</Accordion>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Set up a trader" icon="sliders" href="/en/traders/trader-settings">
    Add a trader and configure all settings step by step.
  </Card>

  <Card title="How does the trader work?" icon="robot" href="/en/traders/what-is-a-trader">
    Read more about the MACD method and the trader's decision process.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>