Realizing Profit or Loss

• Once the position is closed, the realized profit or loss is calculated and immediately adjusted in the account balance.
• If the closing price is greater than the opening price, a profit is made; otherwise, a loss occurs.

Understanding Long Positions

A long position is taken when you anticipate that the price of an asset will rise. You profit when the market’s price increases.

How Long Positions Work

• To open a long position, you buy first and then close the position at a future date.
• The relationship can be summarized as: Sell price > Buy price.
• If the market price increases post-purchase, you will realize a profit; if it decreases, you will incur a loss.

Example of a Long Position

Suppose the price of Bitcoin is quoted at $20,000 and you expect it to rise. You decide to open a long position:

• Buying Price: $20,000
• If the price increases to $21,000, you close the position and make a profit of $1,000.
• If the price drops to $19,000, closing the position results in a loss of $1,000.

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Understanding Short Positions

A short position is taken when you expect that the price of an asset will decline. You profit when the market’s price decreases.

How Short Positions Work

• To open a short position, you sell first and then buy back the asset later.
• The key relationship is: Sell price < Buy price.
• Profit is made if the market price falls, while a loss is incurred if the price rises.

Example of a Short Position

Consider that Bitcoin is quoted at $20,000, and you expect the price to fall. You decide to open a short position:

• Selling Price: $20,000
• If the price decreases to $19,000, you close the position and realize a profit of $1,000.
• If the price rises to $21,000, closing the position results in a loss of $1,000.

Conclusion

Understanding long and short positions allows traders to adapt to market movements in both directions. By employing these strategies, traders can position themselves to profit from rising and falling asset prices.