60 Seconds binary options
- 60 Seconds Binary Options: A Beginner's Guide
Introduction
60 seconds binary options are a highly volatile and fast-paced form of financial trading. They represent a subset of binary options, distinguished by their extremely short expiry time – just 60 seconds. These options offer the potential for rapid profits, but also carry a significantly higher risk compared to traditional financial instruments or longer-term binary options. This article provides a comprehensive overview of 60 seconds binary options, aimed at beginners. We will cover the mechanics, strategies, risks, and essential considerations for anyone contemplating trading them. Understanding the nuances of this instrument is crucial before risking real capital. This is *not* a "get rich quick" scheme; successful trading requires discipline, knowledge, and a well-defined strategy.
What are Binary Options?
Before diving into the specifics of the 60-second variety, let's first understand the basics of binary options. A binary option is a financial instrument where the payout is either a fixed amount or nothing at all. The "binary" refers to this two-outcome nature: either you are "in the money" (ITM) and receive a payout, or you are "out of the money" (OTM) and lose your initial investment.
Unlike traditional options that involve the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a specific price, binary options are a prediction. You predict whether the price of an underlying asset (like a currency pair, stock, commodity, or index) will be *above* or *below* a specific price (the strike price) at a specific time (the expiry time).
There are two main types of binary options:
- **High/Low (Call/Put):** This is the most common type. You predict whether the asset price will be higher (Call) or lower (Put) than the strike price at expiry.
- **Touch/No Touch:** You predict whether the asset price will *touch* a specific price level before expiry (Touch) or *not touch* it (No Touch).
60 Seconds Binary Options: How They Work
60 seconds binary options follow the same fundamental principles as standard binary options, but with one critical difference: the expiry time. Instead of minutes, hours, or days, the contract expires in just 60 seconds.
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how they work:
1. **Choose an Asset:** Select the underlying asset you want to trade (e.g., EUR/USD, Gold, Apple stock). Technical Analysis is crucial here. 2. **Select a Strike Price:** The platform will typically display a strike price slightly above or below the current market price. 3. **Choose Call or Put:** Predict whether the asset price will be *above* the strike price (Call) or *below* the strike price (Put) in 60 seconds. 4. **Enter Investment Amount:** Specify the amount of money you want to invest in the trade. 5. **Confirm Trade:** Execute the trade. 6. **Expiry:** After 60 seconds, the option expires.
* **If your prediction is correct (ITM):** You receive a pre-determined payout, typically between 70% and 95% of your investment. * **If your prediction is incorrect (OTM):** You lose your initial investment.
Why Trade 60 Seconds Binary Options?
The primary appeal of 60 seconds binary options lies in their:
- **Fast Results:** You know immediately (within 60 seconds) whether you've made a profit or a loss.
- **Potential for Rapid Gains:** The quick expiry allows for multiple trades within a short period, potentially compounding profits.
- **Simplicity:** The concept is relatively straightforward – predict the direction of the price.
- **Low Minimum Investment:** Many brokers allow you to trade with as little as $1 or $5 per trade.
Risks of 60 Seconds Binary Options
Despite the potential benefits, 60 seconds binary options are *extremely risky*. Here's why:
- **High Probability of Loss:** Due to the short timeframe, even small price fluctuations can lead to losing trades. The market is incredibly sensitive within 60 seconds.
- **Volatility:** 60-second options are highly susceptible to market volatility and "noise" – random price movements that are difficult to predict.
- **Emotional Trading:** The fast pace can encourage impulsive decisions and emotional trading, leading to poor outcomes. Risk Management is paramount.
- **Broker Manipulation:** While less common with reputable brokers, some unscrupulous brokers may manipulate prices or execution to disadvantage traders.
- **Limited Time for Analysis:** The 60-second timeframe leaves very little time for thorough analysis. Candlestick Patterns are difficult to reliably interpret within this period.
Strategies for 60 Seconds Binary Options
Successful trading of 60 seconds binary options requires a robust strategy. Here are some common approaches:
1. **Trend Following:** Identify a strong, established trend on a longer timeframe chart (e.g., 5-minute or 15-minute). Then, trade 60-second options in the direction of that trend. Utilize Moving Averages to confirm the trend. 2. **News Trading:** Capitalize on significant economic news releases (e.g., interest rate decisions, employment data). Prices often move dramatically in the immediate aftermath of news events. However, this is very risky and requires quick execution. 3. **Scalping:** Exploit small price movements by entering and exiting trades rapidly. This requires precise timing and a deep understanding of market micro-structure. 4. **Retracement Trading:** Identify short-term retracements against the prevailing trend. Trade in the direction of the retracement, anticipating a return to the main trend. Fibonacci Retracements can be helpful here. 5. **Support and Resistance:** Identify key support and resistance levels. Trade in the direction of a bounce off support or a breakdown of resistance. 6. **Bollinger Bands:** Use Bollinger Bands to identify potential overbought or oversold conditions. Trade in the opposite direction of the signal. Bollinger Bands are a popular volatility indicator. 7. **Japanese Candlestick Patterns:** While challenging in a 60-second timeframe, recognizing certain strong candlestick patterns (e.g., Engulfing patterns, Doji) can provide trading signals. Doji Candlestick 8. **Breakout Trading:** Look for price breakouts through key levels. Trade in the direction of the breakout.
- Important Note:** No strategy guarantees profits. Backtesting and demo trading are essential before using any strategy with real money.
Technical Indicators for 60 Seconds Options
While the 60-second timeframe limits the effectiveness of many indicators, some can still be useful:
- **Relative Strength Index (RSI):** Helps identify overbought and oversold conditions. RSI Indicator
- **Stochastic Oscillator:** Similar to RSI, but uses a different calculation. Stochastic Oscillator
- **Moving Averages:** Identify trends and potential support/resistance levels. Exponential Moving Average (EMA)
- **MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence):** Can help identify trend changes and momentum. MACD Indicator
- **Bollinger Bands:** Measure volatility and identify potential price breakouts. Bollinger Bands
- **Pivot Points:** Identify potential support and resistance levels. Pivot Points
- **Ichimoku Cloud:** A comprehensive indicator providing support/resistance, trend direction, and momentum signals. Ichimoku Cloud
Remember to use indicators in conjunction with other forms of analysis and risk management techniques.
Risk Management for 60 Seconds Binary Options
Given the high risk, robust risk management is *absolutely critical*. Here are some key principles:
- **Never Risk More Than 1-2% of Your Capital Per Trade:** This protects your account from significant losses.
- **Use Stop-Loss Orders (If Available):** Some brokers offer stop-loss functionality, which automatically closes your trade if the price moves against you.
- **Diversify Your Trades:** Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Trade different assets and use different strategies.
- **Control Your Emotions:** Avoid impulsive decisions and emotional trading. Stick to your strategy.
- **Start with a Demo Account:** Practice trading with virtual money before risking real capital. Demo Accounts are invaluable for learning.
- **Withdraw Profits Regularly:** Don't let profits accumulate in your account indefinitely. Withdraw them periodically to secure your gains.
- **Understand Market Sentiment:** Be aware of the overall market mood and economic conditions. Market Sentiment
- **Avoid Overtrading:** Don't trade just for the sake of trading. Only take trades that meet your criteria.
- **Keep a Trading Journal:** Record your trades, including your reasoning, entry and exit points, and results. This helps you learn from your mistakes. Trading Journal
Choosing a Broker
Selecting a reputable broker is crucial. Here are some factors to consider:
- **Regulation:** Choose a broker that is regulated by a reputable financial authority (e.g., CySEC, FCA).
- **Payout Rates:** Compare payout rates offered by different brokers.
- **Asset Selection:** Ensure the broker offers the assets you want to trade.
- **Trading Platform:** The platform should be user-friendly, reliable, and offer the necessary tools and features.
- **Customer Support:** Look for a broker with responsive and helpful customer support.
- **Withdrawal Options:** Check the available withdrawal methods and associated fees.
- **Read Reviews:** Research broker reviews from other traders.
Legal Considerations
The legality of binary options trading varies by jurisdiction. It is your responsibility to ensure that trading binary options is legal in your country before engaging in this activity. Some countries have banned or restricted binary options trading due to concerns about fraud and investor protection.
Further Learning Resources
- **Babypips:** [1](https://www.babypips.com/) - Comprehensive forex and trading education.
- **Investopedia:** [2](https://www.investopedia.com/) - Financial dictionary and educational articles.
- **TradingView:** [3](https://www.tradingview.com/) - Charting and social networking platform for traders.
- **FXStreet:** [4](https://www.fxstreet.com/) - Forex news and analysis.
- **DailyFX:** [5](https://www.dailyfx.com/) - Forex news and analysis.
- **School of Pipsology:** [6](https://www.babypips.com/learn/forex) - Forex education from Babypips.
- **Binary Options Explained:** [7](https://www.binaryoptionsexplained.com/)
- **Option Alpha:** [8](https://optionalpha.com/) - Options trading education.
- **Investopedia - Binary Options:** [9](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/binary-option.asp)
- **Candlestick Charts Explained:** [10](https://www.investopedia.com/trading/candlestick-charts-explained/)
- **Trend Trading Strategies:** [11](https://www.thebalance.com/trend-trading-strategies-1034665)
- **Support and Resistance Levels:** [12](https://www.trading-strategies.net/support-and-resistance-levels/)
- **Fibonacci Retracements:** [13](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fibonacciretracement.asp)
- **Bollinger Bands:** [14](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bollingerbands.asp)
- **MACD Indicator:** [15](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/macd.asp)
- **RSI Indicator:** [16](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rsi.asp)
- **Stochastic Oscillator:** [17](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stochasticoscillator.asp)
- **Ichimoku Cloud:** [18](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/ichimoku-cloud.asp)
- **Pivot Points:** [19](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/pivotpoint.asp)
- **Market Sentiment Analysis:** [20](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marketsentiment.asp)
Disclaimer
Trading binary options, especially 60 seconds options, involves substantial risk of loss. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. The author and publisher are not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of trading binary options.
Binary Option Technical Analysis Risk Management Trading Strategy Candlestick Pattern Moving Average RSI Indicator Bollinger Bands Demo Accounts Trading Journal
Start Trading Now
Sign up at IQ Option (Minimum deposit $10) Open an account at Pocket Option (Minimum deposit $5)
Join Our Community
Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive: ✓ Daily trading signals ✓ Exclusive strategy analysis ✓ Market trend alerts ✓ Educational materials for beginners