Long and short: betting on prices going up or down
Traders say they are "long" or "short" a coin. It just means which way they are betting the price will go. Here are both, with a coin at $100.
Updated Oct 31, 2026
Basahin sa FilipinoWhat does "going long" mean?
Going long is the normal way: buy now, sell later at a higher price. You profit if the price rises.
| You buy 1 coin at $100. Later it is… | You sell for | You made or lost |
|---|---|---|
| $120 | $120 | +$20 |
| $100 | $100 | $0 |
| $80 | $80 | −$20 |
What does "going short" mean?
Going short means betting the price will fall. You borrow a coin, sell it now, and buy it back later, hopefully cheaper, to return it.
- 1You borrow 1 coin and sell it at $100. You now hold $100.
- 2The price falls to $80.
- 3You buy 1 coin back for $80 and return it.
- 4You keep the difference: $20 profit.
What happens if a short goes wrong?
If the price rises instead, buying the coin back costs more than you sold it for.
| Sold borrowed coin at $100. To buy it back it costs… | You made or lost |
|---|---|
| $80 | +$20 |
| $120 | −$20 |
| $200 | −$100 |
| $300 | −$200 |
A long can lose at most what you paid (the price can only fall to $0). A short has no limit: the price can keep rising, so the loss can keep growing.
How do long and short compare?
| Long | Short | |
|---|---|---|
| You win when | The price rises | The price falls |
| Most you can win | No limit | What you sold for ($100 if it hits $0) |
| Most you can lose | What you paid ($100) | No limit |
| Extra cost | Just fees | Fees plus a borrowing fee while you hold |
Can I go short on Tradeground?
Yes, with Tradeground Pro. Normal trades are long: you buy with your practice cash and profit if the price rises. To short, use the Leverage wallet (Wallet page, Practice portfolios), then pick Short in the order box and 2× to 10×: you profit if the price falls, from a separate Leverage wallet.