i What this calculator does
Position sizing works the same way in crypto as anywhere else: risk a fixed percentage, divide by the stop distance, and the size follows. What changes is the stop distance, because daily ranges in crypto are several times those in major currency pairs.
A 1% risk rule with a 2% stop on EUR/USD and the same rule with a 12% stop on an altcoin produce very different position sizes. Using a forex-sized position on a crypto stop is the most common way accounts are damaged.
This calculator is for educational purposes only. Results are estimates and may vary depending on market conditions, spreads, commissions, platform settings, and exchange rates. It should not be considered financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
Why does crypto need a wider stop?
Daily ranges are several times those of major currency pairs, so a stop that would be sensible on EUR/USD sits inside normal crypto noise. A tight stop on a volatile asset does not reduce risk, it converts a would-be winner into a stop-out.
Should I risk less per trade in crypto?
Many traders do, precisely because the wider stops mean a single position already carries more uncertainty. Halving the risk percentage while widening the stop keeps the rand at risk constant and gives the position room to work.
How is crypto taxed in South Africa?
SARS treats crypto assets as assets rather than currency. Frequent trading generally produces revenue taxed at your marginal rate; longer-term holding may be capital. Since March 2026, the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework gives SARS automatic information on holdings, including offshore ones.
Does this work for leveraged crypto CFDs?
The sizing arithmetic is the same, but leverage adds a margin constraint on top. Work out the size here, then check the margin requirement separately, because the position your risk rule permits may exceed what your account can post.
What about exchange fees?
They reduce the effective result and are not included here. On small positions the fee can be a meaningful share of the expected gain, which is one reason very small crypto trades often are not worth taking.
Is the rand price or the dollar price the right input?
Use whichever your account is denominated in, consistently. Mixing a dollar entry price with a rand account size produces a position size that is out by the exchange rate, which is a common and expensive error.
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