Why Stop-Losses Are Essential
A stop-loss automatically closes your position at a predetermined price to limit losses. Without one, a bad trade can wipe out your account.
Setting Stop-Loss on Spot
Method 1: Stop-Limit Order
- Go to Spot trading
- Select Stop-Limit order type
- Set Stop price (trigger price)
- Set Limit price (execution price, slightly below stop)
- Enter quantity
- Click Sell
Example: You bought BTC at $100,000
- Stop price: $97,000 (trigger)
- Limit price: $96,800 (execution)
- This limits your loss to ~3%
Method 2: OCO Order (Recommended)
OCO (One-Cancels-Other) sets both take-profit and stop-loss simultaneously:
- Select OCO order type
- Set Limit sell price (take-profit)
- Set Stop price and Limit price (stop-loss)
- When one triggers, the other cancels
Setting Stop-Loss on Futures
Method 1: Stop Market
- Open your futures position
- Click Stop Market in the order panel
- Enter stop price
- This guarantees execution (may have slippage)
Method 2: Through Position Panel
- Find your open position
- Click the TP/SL button
- Enter your stop-loss price
- Confirm
Where to Place Your Stop-Loss
| Strategy | Stop-Loss Level |
|---|---|
| Tight (scalping) | 0.5-1% below entry |
| Medium (day trade) | 1-3% below entry |
| Wide (swing trade) | 5-10% below entry |
| ATR-based | 1.5-2x ATR below entry |
Common Mistakes
- No stop-loss at all — the biggest mistake
- Stop too tight — gets triggered by normal volatility
- Moving stop further away — defeats the purpose
- Stop at round numbers — everyone else’s stop is there too
- Using stop-limit in fast markets — may not fill; use stop-market
Referral safety check
Know what a referral link actually provides
Be cautious with referral codes or links that do not clearly identify their provider and benefit. SmallDrift’s official RATE20 link provides a 20% trading-fee discount, and Binance’s signup page transparently displays SmallDrift, RATE20, the discount, and the referral benefit before account creation.
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