Series: Resource Spotlight (People & Resources)

What this is: A profile of The Chart Guys, why I follow their content, what I’ve learned from them, and how their technical analysis approach complements DeFi trading strategies.

Related content: See my Market Evaluation posts for weekly technical analysis notes from their videos.

Who Are The Chart Guys?

The Chart Guys is a trading education platform founded by Dan (The Charting Man) focused on technical analysis, price action, and risk management. They provide daily live market analysis, educational courses, and a community for traders to develop and refine their skills.

Core Focus:

  • Technical analysis and chart reading
  • Multiple timeframe analysis (daily, weekly, intraday)
  • Risk management and position sizing
  • Market breadth and sector rotation
  • Honest, no-hype trading education

Official Resources

Where to Find Them

Content Format

Free Content (YouTube):

  • Daily/weekly market evaluations
  • SPY, QQQ, IWM, BTC, ETH technical analysis
  • Sector rotation analysis
  • Major market turning points

Premium Content (Membership):

  • Live intraday trading room
  • Private Slack community
  • Extended market analysis
  • Member-only trade ideas and setups

Core Philosophy & Teaching Style

1. Technical Analysis First

Price tells the truth:

  • Focus on what’s actually happening (price action)
  • Not on what should happen (narratives, news, opinions)
  • Charts reveal supply and demand dynamics
  • Multiple timeframe context (daily, weekly, monthly)

Key concepts they emphasize:

  • Support and resistance levels
  • Demand and supply zones
  • Volume analysis
  • Market structure (higher highs, lower lows)
  • Point of control (POC) from volume profiles

2. Risk Management Over Profit Chasing

“Protect your capital first”:

  • Position sizing based on risk tolerance
  • Stop-loss placement (always define max loss)
  • Risk/reward ratios (minimum 2:1, preferably 3:1+)
  • Never risk more than 1-2% per trade

Why this matters:

  • Surviving drawdowns > hitting home runs
  • Consistent small wins beat occasional huge wins
  • Risk management separates pros from gamblers

3. Market Context & Sentiment

Understanding the bigger picture:

  • Market breadth (how many stocks participating?)
  • Sector rotation (what’s leading, what’s lagging?)
  • Fear & Greed Index (sentiment extremes = opportunity)
  • Correlation between major indices

Example from recent analysis (Nov 9, 2025):

  • Tech (XLK) down 3%
  • Healthcare (XLV) up, breaking 2022 highs
  • Financials (XLF) holding near highs
  • Analysis: Sector rotation, not panic selling
  • Conclusion: BTFD (buy the dip), not run for exits

4. Education Over Hype

Honest, transparent approach:

  • Admits when wrong (shows losing trades)
  • No get-rich-quick promises
  • Focuses on process over outcomes
  • Teaches how to think, not what to think

Why I trust them:

  • No pump-and-dump schemes
  • No affiliate shilling random coins/stocks
  • Focus on skill development
  • Long-term community building (10+ years)

What I’ve Learned From Them

1. Multiple Timeframe Analysis

Daily charts can look bearish while weekly charts remain bullish.

Recent example (Nov 9, 2025):

  • SPY daily: Lower highs, lower lows (technically bearish)
  • SPY weekly: Just back-testing value area high (constructive)
  • Lesson: Don’t panic on daily weakness if weekly structure intact

How I use this:

  • Check daily for entry/exit timing
  • Check weekly for trend direction
  • Don’t fight the weekly trend based on daily noise

2. Demand & Supply Zones

Not just support/resistance lines:

  • Identify zones where price historically found buyers/sellers
  • Point of control = price with most volume/time spent
  • Value area = range where most trading occurred

Application to crypto:

  • BTC demand zone: $97,948 (recent breakout level)
  • ETH supply zone: $4,017 (point of control, major rejections)
  • If these levels hold = bullish structure intact

3. Sector Rotation > Broad Market Sentiment

When tech dumps but healthcare rallies:

  • NOT broad market selloff
  • Money rotating between sectors
  • Less scary than “everything dumping”

Why this matters for DeFi:

  • Crypto often follows tech (Nasdaq correlation)
  • If tech weak but market structure healthy = dip buying opportunity
  • If ALL sectors weak = risk-off mode (reduce exposure)

Recent application:

  • Tech dumped 3% (Nov 9)
  • But healthcare + financials strong
  • Kept DeFi positions (didn’t panic sell)
  • Correct decision (market recovered)

4. Fear & Greed as Contrarian Indicator

Major tops set during greed, NOT fear:

  • Extreme fear (current) = usually buying opportunity
  • Extreme greed = top is near

From Nov 9 analysis:

  • Fear & Greed Index: Extreme Fear
  • Interpretation: Not a major top (tops happen in greed)
  • Action: Look for BTFD setups, not exits

Application to crypto:

  • When everyone panics (extreme fear) = accumulate
  • When everyone euphoric (extreme greed) = take profits

5. “BTFD” vs “Run for Exits”

How to tell the difference:

BTFD when:

  • Sector rotation (not broad selloff)
  • Extreme fear readings (contrarian signal)
  • Weekly structure intact (daily weakness doesn’t matter)
  • Key demand zones holding

Run for exits when:

  • ALL sectors dumping together
  • Extreme greed readings turning to fear (euphoria → panic)
  • Weekly structure breaking down (not just daily)
  • Demand zones failing (acceptance below key levels)

Current market (Nov 9): BTFD, not run.

How I Use Their Analysis

1. Weekly Market Context

Every Monday/Tuesday: Watch Chart Guys market evaluation

  • Get SPY, QQQ, IWM, BTC, ETH levels
  • Understand current market phase
  • Identify sector rotation trends
  • Assess risk-on vs risk-off environment

Use for:

  • Deciding DeFi position sizing
  • When to add capital (fear) vs take profits (greed)
  • Crypto correlation to stocks (Nasdaq weakness = BTC weakness?)

2. Key Technical Levels

Track these from Chart Guys:

  • SPY: 573.95 (point of control), 679.24 (resistance)
  • QQQ: 613.18 (breakout level), 609.47 (value area high)
  • BTC: $97,948 (critical support), $74K (downside target)
  • ETH: $4,017 (supply zone)

Why this matters:

  • If SPY breaks below 573 = risk-off (reduce DeFi leverage)
  • If BTC breaks below $97,948 = possible $74K target (hedge positions)
  • Levels give actionable risk management

3. Risk Management Framework

Applied to DeFi:

From Chart Guys:

  • Max 1-2% risk per trade
  • Define stop-loss before entry
  • Risk/reward minimum 2:1

My DeFi adaptation:

  • Max 5-10% per DeFi protocol (spread risk)
  • Set mental stop-loss (price drops X% = exit)
  • Only enter if upside > 2x downside

Example:

  • Aerodrome concentrated LP position: $28K
  • Stop-loss: If AERO drops 30% = exit and reassess
  • Max loss: $8,400
  • Expected annual gain: $16,800 (60% APY)
  • Risk/reward: ~2:1 (acceptable)

4. Market Evaluation Posts

I publish weekly summaries based on Chart Guys videos:

Purpose:

  • Document analysis for future reference
  • Practice technical analysis note-taking
  • Provide value to readers following markets
  • Build my own technical analysis skills

How This Fits Into DeFi Strategy

1. Macro Context for DeFi Decisions

When Chart Guys shows:

  • Tech sector weakness → expect crypto correlation
  • Fear extreme → good time to deploy DeFi capital
  • Greed extreme → take DeFi profits to stables

Real example (Nov 2025):

  • Market evaluation: BTFD, not panic
  • Decision: Added $833 to Aerodrome position (Nov 9)
  • Kept Pendle position despite unlock (confidence in macro)
  • Result: Good timing (market stabilized)

2. Correlation Between Stocks and Crypto

BTC often follows Nasdaq:

  • QQQ dumps → BTC usually dumps
  • QQQ rallies → BTC usually rallies
  • Correlation not perfect, but strong

Use Chart Guys QQQ analysis:

  • QQQ breaking down? → reduce DeFi leverage
  • QQQ holding key levels? → maintain DeFi positions
  • QQQ bullish? → consider adding capital

3. Timing DeFi Entry/Exit

Chart Guys provides timing framework:

Add DeFi capital when:

  • Extreme fear (contrarian)
  • SPY/QQQ holding demand zones (structure intact)
  • Sector rotation (not broad panic)

Take DeFi profits when:

  • Extreme greed (top near)
  • SPY/QQQ breaking below key levels (risk-off)
  • All sectors weak (broad selloff)

Hold steady when:

  • Neutral fear/greed (normal market)
  • Daily weakness but weekly structure intact
  • Sector rotation (not broad move)

Best Content to Start With

For Beginners

Start here:

  1. Watch 3-5 recent YouTube market evaluations
  2. Focus on understanding their terminology (demand, supply, POC, value area)
  3. Notice how they use multiple timeframes (daily + weekly)
  4. Pay attention to risk management discussions

Recommended videos (search “Chart Guys”):

  • Any “Market Evaluation” video (weekly analysis)
  • “How to read volume profiles” (if available)
  • “Multiple timeframe analysis” (fundamentals)

For Intermediate Traders

Level up:

  1. Join private Slack community (membership)
  2. Watch intraday trading room sessions
  3. Study their trade setups (entry, stop, target)
  4. Implement risk management rules strictly

Key concepts to master:

  • Point of control (POC) trading
  • Value area high/low significance
  • Sector rotation strategies
  • Market breadth indicators

For Advanced Traders

Refine your edge:

  1. Study Dan’s trade execution (timing, scaling)
  2. Understand why he passes on trades (patience)
  3. Learn when to override technicals (macro events)
  4. Develop your own style using their framework

My Honest Assessment

What They Do Best

✅ Consistent, honest analysis

  • No hype, no pump-and-dump
  • Admits mistakes, shows losses
  • Long-term track record (10+ years)

✅ Clear technical framework

  • Demand/supply zones easy to identify
  • Multiple timeframe approach is systematic
  • Risk management rules are clear

✅ Market context

  • Sector rotation analysis unique
  • Fear/Greed as contrarian tool
  • Macro + technical blend

✅ Community

  • Private Slack is valuable (I’m a member)
  • Serious traders, not moonboys
  • Supportive learning environment

What to Be Aware Of

⚠️ Primarily stock-focused

  • Less crypto-specific content
  • Need to adapt stock TA to crypto
  • Crypto has unique dynamics (24/7, higher volatility)

⚠️ Membership required for best content

  • YouTube is great but limited
  • Full value requires paid membership
  • Worth it for serious traders, not casual

⚠️ Technical analysis limitations

  • TA doesn’t predict the future
  • Works until it doesn’t (black swans)
  • Use as framework, not crystal ball

Who Should Follow Them?

Great fit for:

  • Traders wanting technical analysis education
  • Anyone managing risk actively
  • People who value process over outcomes
  • Serious about improving trading skills

Not for:

  • Buy-and-hold-forever investors
  • People who hate charts/TA
  • Looking for “100x moonshot” calls
  • Want quick tips, not education

How Chart Guys Complements DeFi

DeFi = On-chain strategies (liquidity mining, yield farming) Chart Guys = Macro timing and risk management

The combination:

  1. Use Chart Guys for timing: When to deploy capital to DeFi
  2. Use DeFi for yield: Where to earn once capital deployed
  3. Use Chart Guys for exits: When to pull profits from DeFi

Example workflow:

  • Chart Guys: “Extreme fear, BTFD setup”
  • Me: Deploy idle capital to Aerodrome concentrated LP
  • Earn 60-80% APY while market recovers
  • Chart Guys: “Extreme greed, top near”
  • Me: Exit Aerodrome, take profits to USDC
  • Wait for next Chart Guys “extreme fear” signal

Result: Better timing + higher yields than either approach alone.

Next Steps to Learn From Them

Week 1: Familiarize

  • Watch 3 recent YouTube market evaluations
  • Note key terms (demand, supply, POC, value area)
  • Identify current SPY, QQQ, BTC key levels

Week 2-4: Practice

  • Watch every weekly market evaluation
  • Document key levels in a spreadsheet
  • Compare your analysis to theirs

Month 2: Apply

  • Use their levels for DeFi timing decisions
  • Track if “extreme fear” = good DeFi entry timing
  • Measure improvement in entry/exit quality

Month 3+: Refine

  • Consider joining private Slack (if serious)
  • Develop your own technical framework
  • Blend their macro TA with your DeFi strategies

Final Thoughts

Why I follow The Chart Guys:

  • Honest, educational, no hype
  • Clear technical framework I can apply
  • Risk management emphasis aligns with my goals
  • Community of serious traders

How I use their content:

  • Macro context for DeFi timing
  • Key levels for risk management
  • Fear/Greed for contrarian entries/exits
  • Weekly market evaluations for planning

Bottom line: Even if you’re primarily a DeFi participant (not a day trader), understanding macro technical analysis improves your timing. Chart Guys provides the clearest, most honest technical education I’ve found.

Related Content on This Blog

My Chart Guys summaries:

DeFi strategy posts:

Next Resource Spotlight

Coming up:

  • Resource Spotlight: DeFi Dad (DeFi education for everyone)
  • Resource Spotlight: Stephen (DeFi Dojo) - Risk-focused DeFi analysis
  • Resource Spotlight: Bankless (Crypto media and education)

Have a resource you want me to spotlight? Let me know!

This is my personal experience and assessment. I’m a paying member of The Chart Guys Slack community. No affiliation, just a satisfied customer. Not financial advice.

Tags: #resource-spotlight #chart-guys #technical-analysis #trading #education #market-analysis #risk-management