How to Trade Bitcoin - IG | IG International
You can start trading on bitcoin by following these four steps: · Decide how you want to trade bitcoin · Learn the factors that move bitcoin's price · Choose a ...
manage your risk
Trading bitcoin with CFDsBuying bitcoin through an exchangeCost to get exposure to 1 bitcoinMargin for retail clients is 50% of the total value of the coinFull cost of the coinShort sellingYes – select ‘sell’ to open your CFD positionNo – unless there is a willing counterpartyExecution0.0107 second execution speed and access our unique deep liquidity3Dependent on exchange liquidity levelsRestrictions on funding and withdrawingNone, withdrawing or adding funds is free and instant if transferred by debit card4You may be charged fees and encounter restrictions on adding or withdrawing fundsOvernight funding chargeYesNoRisksCFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Keep in mind that losses can exceed your margin deposit, so it’s important to <anchor>manage your risk</anchor>Losses can accrue rapidly, so it’s important to manage your risk.
How to Manage Your Trading Risk | IG International
How to Manage Your Trading Risk \| IG International[Skip to content](#main-content)

We want to clarify that IG International does not have an official Line account at this time. We have not established any official presence on Line messaging platform. Therefore, any accounts claiming to represent IG International on Line are unauthorized and should be considered as fake.

CFDs are complex instruments. 70% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.  CFDs are complex instruments. 70% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.

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![How to manage your trading risk](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/igcom/img/ftse100-hero-desktop-v3.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

![](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/igcom/img/ftse100-hero-mobile-v3.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

# How to manage your trading risk

CFD trading comes with a unique set of risk. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide with risk management tips, tools and techniques. Find out how to manage your trading risk when using leveraged derivatives, and access our free educational resources.

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Start trading today. Call [+44 (20) 7633 5430](tel:+44 (20) 7633 5430), or email [sales.en@ig.com](mailto:sales.en@ig.com) to talk about opening a trading account. We’re here 24/5.

Contact us: [+44 (20) 7633 5430](tel:+44 (20) 7633 5430)

Start trading today. Call [+44 (20) 7633 5430](tel:+44 (20) 7633 5430), or email [sales.en@ig.com](mailto:sales.en@ig.com) to talk about opening a trading account. We’re here 24/5.

Contact us: [+44 (20) 7633 5430](tel:+44 (20) 7633 5430)

[Group established 1974, FTSE250 listed](/en/about-us) [313,000+ clients worldwide](/en/about-us) [17,000+ markets](/en/about-us)

## How can I manage my risk when trading?

![](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/ContentImage/content2/PSO_Managing_rick_icon_1.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

#### Choose your trades’ exit points

Manage unfavourable market movements by using stop-losses and guaranteed stops1

![](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/ContentImage/content2/PSO_Managing_rick_icon_2.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

#### Execute trades at favourable levels

Set limit orders to automatically buy or sell when the market level is more favourable

![](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/ContentImage/content2/PSO_Managing_rick_icon_3.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

#### Use our online learning portal

Become better at combating risk by using free educational materials, like [IG Academy](/en/learn-to-trade/ig-academy)

![](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/ContentImage/content2/PSO_Managing_rick_icon_4.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

#### Stay on top of market movements

Set alerts and we’ll notify you when a market reaches your specified level

![](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/ContentImage/content2/PSO_Managing_rick_icon_6.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

#### Know your profit and loss

Get a balance snapshot on our platform to easily view your gains and losses

![](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/ContentImage/content2/PSO_Managing_rick_icon_5.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

#### Get negative balance protection

Never go below zero with negative balance protection2

## What is meant by ‘risk’ in trading?

In trading, ‘risk’ refers to the possibility of your choices not resulting in the outcome that you expected. Trading risk comes in a range of forms. The most prominent risks you’ll face when trading [CFDs](/en/cfd-trading/what-is-cfd-trading-how-does-it-work) are:

- **Market risk:** the general risk that your trades might not perform as you thought it would, due to unfavourable price movements. The market can be affected by a range of external factors like recessions, political unrest, etc.
- **Impact of leverage:** trading on [leverage](/en/risk-management/impact-of-leverage-on-your-trading) – ie using margin – amplifies profits and losses, as your risk isn’t limited to your initial outlay. Your gains and losses will be based on the full trade value, and you could lose more than your deposit
- **Lack of knowledge:** failure to study the markets and doing thorough analysis can be detrimental. You should learn as much as you can about trading and the asset you’re looking to buy or sell before opening any positions
- **Emotional trading:** it’s not always easy to control your emotions when trading. Impulsivity, fear and greed – to name a few – can take over, and you might end up making poor trading decisions

![The types of risk in trading: market risk, impact of leverage, lack of knowledge and emotional trading](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/content-2-chart-images/RiskManagement01.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

## What are the risks of trading?

There are various risks involved in trading, and different reasons to why they might happen. The most important thing to remember is that you should take steps to [mitigate these risks](/en/risk-management#protect).

**The risk**

**Why it happens**

**Ways we help**

Losing more than your deposit on a tradeCFDs are leveraged, so you only need to put up a fraction of your position’s value to open it but your profit or loss could be much more than your initial depositYou can set an automatic stop or limit, to define the level you'd like your trade executed atHaving your positions closed unexpectedlyYou need a certain amount of money in your account to keep your trades open. This is called margin, and if your account balance doesn’t cover our margin requirements, we may close your positionsKeep an eye on your always-visible running balances in our platform or app, and add more funds if they’re neededLosing more than the money in your accountSometimes your positions may be closed out automatically, leaving you with a negative account balanceWe offer negative balance protection, and we bring negative accounts back to zero at no cost to you.1Sudden or larger-than-expected lossesMarkets can be volatile, moving very quickly and unexpectedly in reaction to announcements, events or trader behaviour. This could have significant bearing on your open positionsAs well as setting stops, you can also be notified of significant movement by setting a price or distance alert, giving you the choice of whether or not to reactHaving an order filled at a different level to the one you requestedWhen a market moves a long way in an instant – or ‘gaps’ – any orders you have placed may be filled at a worse (or better) level than the one you requested. This is called slippageUse guaranteed stops for protection against slippage on orders to close. They're free to place, with a small premium payable only if your stop is triggered

![The many ways to manage your trading risk with IG](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/content-2-chart-images/RiskManagement-02.svg)

## Trader’s Guide

- We reveal the top potential pitfall and how to avoid it
- Learn from data gleaned from over 100,000 IG accounts
- Discover how to stick to your plan and increase chances of success

![](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/ContentImage/pages/cover-1.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

[Download the guide](https://a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/files/education/No.1%20Guide%20Final%20(003).pdf)

## Protect yourself with our risk management tools

We have a range of risk management tools available. Plus, you’re protected through negative balance protection.2

- Stop-losses
- Guaranteed stops
- Limit orders
- Negative balance protection
- Built-in risk protection
- Price alerts

Set a stop-loss to close your position automatically if the market moves against you.

There’s no trigger charge, but no guarantee of protection against slippage – so your position could be closed out at a worse level if the market gaps.

[What are stop orders?](/en/trading-strategies/stop-vs-limit-orders-what-are-the-types-of-orders-in-trading-190509)

![A screenshot of stop orders and how they can be used on the IG platform](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/content-2-chart-images/RMGroup83.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

Attach a guaranteed stop to your position, and it’ll always be closed out at exactly the price you specified.

You’ll only pay for your stop if it’s triggered. If this happens, our guaranteed stop premiums still offer the best value in the market for most major indices and FX pairs.1

[What are stop orders?](/en/trading-strategies/stop-vs-limit-orders-what-are-the-types-of-orders-in-trading-190509)

![Stop order guarantee being used on IG platform](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/content-2-chart-images/rmGroup84.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

Set a limit order and we’ll execute your trade at a predetermined level that is more favourable to you than the current market price.

You can set a limit entry order to open a new position or a limit closing order to terminate an existing position.

[What are limit orders?](/en/trading-strategies/stop-vs-limit-orders-what-are-the-types-of-orders-in-trading-190509)

![Example of a limit order on IG platform](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/content-2-chart-images/Group86x2.svg)

Your account will never go below zero – even if the market gaps – thanks to negative balance protection.2

We apply negative balance protection to all retail clients’ accounts.

![Graphic showcasing negative balance protection.](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/content-2-chart-images/RiskManagement-04.svg)

To help protect you from excessive losses, we’ll sometimes close your positions if you’re on margin call.

However, we can’t always apply this protection and it’s sensible to maintain adequate funds in your trading account to avoid potentially being closed out.

[What is margin call?](/en/help-and-support/cfds/margin/what-is-margin-call)

![The built in risk cycle](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/content-2-chart-images/RiskManagement-03.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

Get notified when your market moves by a certain percentage or amount in points with customisable price alerts.

You’ll get a free email, SMS or push notification. Our award-winning app makes it even easier to react to these alerts.3

[What are trading alerts?](/en/trading-platforms/trading-alerts)

![Example of trading alerts](//a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/content-2-chart-images/Group85.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)

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We have over 45 years of experience offering a truly market-leading service

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## **Open an account now**

## **Open an account now**

#### Fast execution on a huge range of markets

Enjoy flexible access to more than 17,000 global markets, with reliable execution

#### Deal seamlessly, wherever you are

Trade on the move with our natively designed, award-winning trading app

#### Feel secure with a trusted provider

We have over 45 years of experience offering a truly market-leading service

\*IG Group’s total markets

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## **Start trading now**

Log in to your account now to access today’s opportunity in a huge range of markets.

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## **Start trading now**

Log in to your account now to access today’s opportunity in a huge range of markets.

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## We help you choose the right leverage for your trades

We make it our priority to support you in making trading decisions that are right for you. One of the ways we do this is by helping you navigate the world of [leverage](/en/risk-management/what-is-leverage).

We believe that allowing excessively high levels of leverage is not in your best interest. That’s why we work hard to limit our maximum leverage, to protect you from distorted win or loss probabilities on your trades. We also try to minimise transaction costs by keeping our charges and overnight funding fees at a very competitive level.

## We help you to plan and manage your trading decisions

Before you open your first trading position, you’ll need to do a lot of research about financial markets and the different ways to get access to them. The good news is that our educational materials are here to help you grow as a trader and manage your risks.

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#### Join IG Academy

Explore a range of free beginner, intermediate and expert courses

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#### Get analyst insights

Read articles on trading strategy, economic news, and trade ideas

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#### Watch free webinars

Watch live or pre-recorded webinars hosted by our experts

## FAQs

How do I calculate risk when trading?

To calculate risk when trading, you can use two techniques: risk per trade and risk-reward ratio. Deciding how much to risk depends on your personal preference and circumstances.

Some traders would suggest not risking more than 1% of your capital per trade, while others go up to 10%. Keep in mind that, if you’re on a big losing streak, the amount you’re risking per trade will have a huge effect on your capital and the ability to claw back losses.

We explain the other technique – the risk-reward ratio – below.

What’s risk-reward ratio in trading?

The risk-reward ratio in trading is the money you’re risking compared to your possible gain. To calculate the ratio on a particular trade, take the capital you’re laying out (your risk) and compare it to the profit you could make (your reward).

For example, if the max loss on a position is $200 based on where you place stops and the max profit is $800 based on where you place limits, the risk-reward ratio is 1:4.

Many traders prefer a risk-reward ratio of 1:3 or higher (so, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, etc.). However, the higher the ratio, the greater the chance that the market will hit your max loss before your max gain.

What’s leverage?

Leverage is a trading concept that enables you to open a position using a deposit (called margin), while getting exposure to the full value of the trade. Your profit and losses will also be based on the full position size – so they’ll be magnified when compared to your margin. This is why it’s extremely important to take steps to manage your risk when trading on leverage.

What is the difference between a stop order and a limit order?

A stop order is a tool that you can use if you want us to execute your trade at a particular price that is less favourable than the current market price. They’re the opposite of limit orders, which instruct us to execute your trade at a price that’s more favourable than the current price.

[Learn more about stop orders and limit orders](/en/help-and-support/cfds/orders--stops-and-limits/what-is-the-difference-between-a-stop-and-limit-order)

## Try these next

[**How to trade out of hours**](/en/weekend-trading)

[**What is forex trading?**](/en/forex/what-is-forex-and-how-does-it-work)

[**Our trading platforms**](/en/trading-platforms)

Learn how to create a plan that will help you achieve your trading goals.

Foreign exchange presents a wealth of opportunities for those who can harness its inherent volatility.

Protect your capital when trading on our range of powerful platforms and apps.

1 You’ll pay a small premium only if your guaranteed stop is triggered.

2 Negative balance protection ensures you don't lose more than is in your account. Negative balance protection applies to trading-related debt only, and is not available to professional traders.

3 Best Finance App, Best Multi-Platform Provider and Best Platform for the Active Trader as awarded at the ADVFN International Financial Awards 2024.

### [Markets](https://www.ig.com/en/markets-to-trade)

[Share CFDs](https://www.ig.com/en/shares)

[Forex](/en/forex)

[Indices](/en/indices)

[Commodities](/en/commodities)

[Other markets](/en/other-markets)

### [Trading platforms](/en/trading-platforms)

[Web platform](/en/trading-platforms)

[Trading apps](/en/trading-platforms/trading-apps)

[MetaTrader 4](/en/trading-platforms/metatrader-4)

[ProRealTime](/en/trading-platforms/prorealtime)

[Compare features](/en/trading-platforms/compare-trading-platforms)

[Demo](/en/demo-account)

### [Learn to trade](/en/trading-skills)

[News and trade ideas](/en/news-and-trade-ideas)

[Trading strategy](/en/trading-strategies)

### [About](/en/about-us)

[Charges and margins](/en/charges)

[Premium services](/en/premium-services)

[Refer a friend](/en/refer-a-friend)

[Marketing partnerships](/en/marketing-partnership)

[Corporate accounts](/en/corporate-accounts)

### [Contact us](/en/contact-us)

New clients: [+44 (20) 7633 5430](tel:+44 (20) 7633 5430) or email [sales.en@ig.com](mailto:sales.en@ig.com)

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The risks of loss from investing in CFDs can be substantial and the value of your investments may fluctuate. 70% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how this product works, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

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