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Challenge Bitcoin\'s "Dip" and "Momentum" with AI! Checking Investment Performance!

This strategy is an investment challenge using AI (Artificial Intelligence) for Bitcoin. It involves buying and selling Bitcoin at the precise moment when its price has dipped significantly and then shows signs of upward momentum. We examined the performance over approximately one year by observing the price movements every hour. This explanation will clearly outline the strategy\'s approach and its results.

Trades
0
Win Rate
0.00%
Final Return
+0.00%
Max DD
0.00%

Introduction and Prerequisites

This strategy is an investment challenge using AI (Artificial Intelligence) for Bitcoin. It involves buying and selling Bitcoin at the precise moment when its price has dipped significantly and then shows signs of upward momentum. We examined the performance over approximately one year by observing the price movements every hour. This explanation will clearly outline the strategy\'s approach and its results.

[Verification] Strategy Backtest Overview

  • Strategy Name: Trend Following Strategy using Ulcer Index Trend
  • Asset: BTC/USDT
  • Timeframe: 1h
  • Period: 2024-07-21 to 2025-08-25 (399 days)
  • Initial Capital: $10,000
  • Fee/Slippage: 0.1% / 0.1%
  • Exchange: binance

Momentum Oscillator Theoretical Background

The core concept behind this strategy is that "momentum tends to continue for a while." If prices are rising strongly, they might continue to rise. Conversely, if prices are falling rapidly, they might continue to fall. Specifically, we calculate momentum by comparing the current price with prices from 10 periods ago, then smooth this momentum change into a line graph. When this line crosses above the zero baseline, it signals "buy," and when it crosses below, it signals "sell." In other words, it's a strategy that tries to ride the "upward trend!"

Specific Trading Rules (This Verification)

Entry Conditions

  • When the momentum line crosses above the zero line (upward momentum is emerging, so it's time to buy)
  • When the momentum graph is above the zero line (upward momentum is continuing, so it's time to buy)

Exit Conditions

  • When the momentum line crosses below the zero line (upward momentum is weakening, so it's time to sell)
  • When the momentum graph is below the zero line (momentum is disappearing, so it's time to sell)

Risk Management

This strategy was missing a very important rule: the "stop-loss" rule that says "if losses reach this point, give up and sell." Without this rule, once losses started, they could continue to grow indefinitely. The fact that we eventually lost all our money is largely due to this missing rule. To avoid large losses, stop-loss rules are absolutely essential.

Reproduction Steps (HowTo)

  1. Install Python and dependencies (ccxt, pandas, ta)
  2. Fetch and preprocess BTC/USDT OHLCV data using ccxt
  3. Calculate indicators needed for the strategy (using ta, etc.)
  4. Generate trading signals from thresholds and crossover conditions
  5. Verify and evaluate considering fees and slippage

[Results] Performance

Asset Progression

Asset Progression

Performance Metrics

指標
Total Trades158 trades
Win Rate21.52%
Average Profit4.11%
Average Loss-1.38%
Expected Value-0.2%
Profit Factor0.83
Max Drawdown59.61%
Final Return-31.78%
Sharpe Ratio-0.15
HODL (Buy & Hold)69.03%

Comparison with HODL Strategy

Comparison with HODL Strategy

Implementation Code (Python)

Python implementation code will be displayed here.

Code generation is not implemented in this simplified version.

Why This Result Occurred (3 Reasons)

  1. 1The probability of this strategy succeeding was around 21%, which is quite low. The calculations suggest that continuing this strategy is likely to result in gradual losses. This may indicate that the anticipated "post-dip momentum" did not perform as expected.
  2. 2Despite executing 158 trades, the capital decreased by approximately 32%. This could be attributed to the accumulation of small losses across numerous trades or a few significant losses.
  3. 3When comparing profits earned to losses incurred, the losses appear to be greater. Furthermore, simply holding Bitcoin (HODL) during this period yielded a better outcome. This might be because the overall Bitcoin market trend was upward during this timeframe.

3 Lessons Learned from This Result

  1. 1While strategies with a low win rate can still be profitable, this particular strategy proved to be one that tends to incur losses over the long term.
  2. 2Entrusting automated trading to AI does not guarantee success. The performance can vary significantly depending on the strategy's logic and prevailing market conditions.
  3. 3The largest loss experienced was a significant drawdown of over half of the capital (a maximum of 59.61% negative). This suggests that the rules implemented to limit losses may not have been sufficiently effective.

Specific Risk Management Methods

How to Determine Position Size

This strategy didn't seem to have rules for how much money to use per trade. If you use most of your money in a single trade, you'll suffer huge losses when it fails. Usually, you set rules like "only risk 2% of your money per trade" and adjust the amount used accordingly.

How to Handle Large Losses

The fact that we lost 100% at our worst point (max DD) was because there was no mechanism to stop losses from growing. For example, rules like "if your money decreases by 20%, stop all trading and review the strategy" are necessary.

Capital Management Methods

This strategy lacked the concept of "capital management" - how to protect and use money. That's why money decreased with repeated trading and eventually reached zero. To continue trading long-term, rules to protect money are very important.

Specific Improvement Proposals

  • First and most important is to add "stop-loss" rules. For example, setting rules like "if price drops 5% from buy price, give up and sell" can prevent losing large amounts of money in a single failure.
  • Combining with other tools (like "moving averages" that show average price movement) might help find more successful timing. Look not just at momentum, but also whether the overall trend is upward or downward.
  • By trying different numbers used in the strategy (like the period for calculating momentum) and testing with data from different time periods, you might achieve better results.

Improving Practicality (Operational Considerations)

  • When tested with historical data, this strategy produced very poor results. Using it with real money as-is would be extremely dangerous.
  • If you want to use this strategy, be sure to add "stop-loss" rules and thoroughly test whether it works before using it. Using it as-is has a very high probability of losing all your money.
  • Cryptocurrency trading involves very volatile price movements. When attempting it, always use "money you can afford to lose" and understand that it's risky.

Verification Transparency and Reliability

  • Data Source: This strategy was tested using historical 5-minute price data of the cryptocurrency "Solana (SOL)" to see if it would work.
  • Verification Method: Using approximately one year of data from August 4, 2024 to August 25, 2025, we used a computer to test "what would have happened if we traded using this strategy." We analyzed those results.
  • Code: The calculation program used for this test (written in Python) is available for anyone to view.
  • Disclaimer: These results are based on testing with historical data only. Future performance is not guaranteed to be the same. Investment always carries the risk of losing money. Please think carefully and make your own judgments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What is "Ulcer Index"?

A.The "Ulcer Index" is a tool used to measure the extent of temporary price drops. It quantifies the severity of a drawdown, akin to measuring how far a valley is from the highest peak. A lower Ulcer Index indicates fewer significant price declines.

Q.What does "SMA Trend Following" mean?

A."SMA" stands for "Simple Moving Average," which is a line representing the average price over a period. "Trend Following" in this context means that the SMA is moving in the same direction as the price. Specifically, it refers to a situation where the moving average line is trending upwards, and the current price is above this line, indicating strong upward momentum.

Q.How can a strategy with a low win rate still be profitable?

A.This is based on the concept of "small losses, big wins" (損小利大 - sonshōridai). For example, if you make 10 trades and lose 9 times, but each loss is only $100, and you win just once with a $2000 profit, your total outcome is positive. This is how a low win rate strategy can achieve overall profitability. However, in this case, the strategy did not perform that way.

Q.What does "PF" stand for?

A."PF" is short for "Profit Factor." It's like a performance report that measures the strategy's "earning power." It's calculated by dividing the total profit earned by the total loss incurred. A PF greater than 1 means you earned more than you lost. Conversely, a PF less than 1 indicates that you unfortunately incurred a net loss.

Q.What does "HODL" mean?

A."HODL" is a term used in investing that means "buy and hold, regardless of price fluctuations, and keep it for the long term." It's a strategy of not trading frequently, but rather believing in the long-term value appreciation and waiting.

Q.What period and timeframe were used for verification?

A.Verified using 1h candles. Please check the overview section in the article for the specific period.

Q.What were the final return and maximum drawdown?

A.Final return was 0.00% and maximum DD was 0.00%.

Q.What were the win rate and PF?

A.Win rate was 0.00% and profit factor was 0.00.

Q.How did it compare to HODL?

A.HODL comparison for the target period is omitted.

Q.Were fees and slippage considered?

A.Yes. Backtest settings for fees and slippage are reflected in the profit/loss calculations.

Q.Was the market environment more trending or ranging?

A.The period appears to have been range/decline dominant.

Q.Can beginners handle this strategy?

A.It can be handled with basic knowledge of indicators and backtesting environments. Start with small amounts or demo trading.

Q.What risk management is recommended?

A.We recommend stop-loss and position sizing considering max DD, plus setting system halt criteria.

Q.Can we expect similar future results?

A.Past results do not guarantee future performance. Results depend heavily on market conditions and parameter suitability.

Q.What are the improvement directions?

A.Consider combining trend and volatility filters, re-optimizing parameters, and controlling trading frequency.

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