The crypto market has a reputation for being fast-moving and volatile – but when assets begin testing and breaking new all-time highs (ATHs), traders face some of the most critical decisions of their careers. In a recent Twitter/X Spaces session hosted by Kraken VP Growth Matt Howells-Barby, veteran trader @Dentoshi unpacked the mindset, tools and strategies she uses to navigate those conditions.
Whether you’re a trend trader, a meme coin speculator or someone sitting on the sidelines wondering when to act, Dentoshi explains strategies and tactics for managing risk and riding momentum without falling into emotional traps.
Trading the all-time high break
When Bitcoin hit a new ATH on May 22, the reaction was brief but euphoric. For Dentoshi, whose BTC holdings are largely in cold storage, the moment was more of a signal to watch “what comes next – especially for altcoins.”
History suggests that after BTC sets an ATH, a rotation into alts often follows. But there are a few things we need to see on the charts for this to happen, like a drop in Bitcoin dominance (BTC.D) and ETH/BTC strength, but these things have not happened yet. Dentoshi cautions: “This cycle is different.”
“Institutional capital is in the game now, and much of it enters via ETFs – not onchain or through altcoin speculation. That changes the liquidity dynamics.”
Trading with @KrakenPro on the go 🤝 @Dentoshi pic.twitter.com/k5j1VsHC9R
— Kraken Exchange (@krakenfx) November 18, 2024
Trading the chop: Knowing when to step back
One of the session’s recurring themes was the importance of understanding market conditions. In sideways, choppy markets – like much of early 2025 – Dentoshi scales down activity significantly.
“Sometimes you can be right about the level but wrong about the timing.”
Instead of trying to catch every bounce, Dentoshi waits for confirmation of trend shifts, especially via EMAs (exponential moving averages) analysis.
Position sizing and the art of timing
Dentoshi referenced a famous tweet by pseudonymous trader GCR that sums up her key philosophy:
“During altcoin cycles, you should maximize risk at the the beginning, and slowly reduce it over time, but most people do the opposite”.
-GCR
— Route 2 FI (@Route2FI) November 11, 2024
“Too many traders do the opposite: Hesitate during the early breakout, then go all-in near the top.”
Dentoshi warns against behavior that leads to this result: how greed often grows alongside market confidence, leading to poor entries late in the move.
“Be realistic about targets, manage expectations during consolidation, and take profits without blindly rotating gains into new positions.”
Manage risk in the bull run with trailing stops on @KrakenPro 🤝
Learn how @Dentoshi uses them in combination with EMA chart analysis 👇 pic.twitter.com/WgBslCnuC7
— Kraken Exchange (@krakenfx) November 25, 2024
Tools of the trade: EMAs, dominance and narrative momentum
So how does she separate the false starts from the real trends? Dentoshi relies heavily on:
- EMAs for trend direction and exhaustion points
- BTC and ETH dominance metrics
- Volume and chart patterns
Narrative momentum: If narratives rotate quickly and fail to stick, the market likely isn’t ready for sustained altcoin rallies.
📺 Watch @Dentoshi dive deep into Patterns:
▪️ Breaking down flags and pennants like a Pro.
▪️ Showing a classic bullish play.
▪️ Setting a target price using Flagpoles.That lady can draw 👩🎨 pic.twitter.com/te30cYR1ru
— Kraken Pro (@krakenpro) April 11, 2025
In strong markets, trending narratives last longer. Memecoins can ride these waves when sentiment and volume align.
Journaling, focus and staying sane
Dentoshi is adamant about mental hygiene. She journals trades (ideally 2–3 times per week), sets clear entry/exit rules, and tunes out Twitter noise by following a curated list of serious traders.
She also emphasizes the need for low-dopamine hobbies – activities that help break the constant feedback loop of screen-watching and FOMO.
“Have a plan, not a prediction,” she said. “There are no safe entry points; only safe strategies.”
What’s next: Summer slowdown or altcoin renaissance?
With ETH in a tight 25-day range and Bitcoin hanging between key EMA levels, Dentoshi is watching for signs of breakout strength. Until then, her playbook remains cautious:
- Mark key levels
- Set price alerts
- Wait for volume and trend confirmation
If ETH breaks out, we could see an altcoin resurgence. If not, a long, slow summer could be on the horizon.
Price alerts on @KrakenPro 🔔
🔘 Enabled https://t.co/aRJF10On2o
— Kraken Exchange (@krakenfx) April 2, 2024
Trading ATHs: Final thoughts
Trading ATH breakouts requires more than guts. It demands discipline, a clear system and an ability to avoid noise. Dentoshi’s thoughtful, no-nonsense approach serves as a roadmap for anyone trying to catch the meat of the move without losing their mind (or their portfolio). For more from Dentoshi, check out her EMA trading series in collaboration with Kraken Pro and follow her on X/Twitter for live chart updates and insights.
THE (E)MA SERIES.
A new video series, where I share insights in my entire thought process when it comes to trading (E)MA’s.
Part 1: Defining Trend 📈 pic.twitter.com/Gb0BHXyeEE
— Dentoshi (@Dentoshi) September 19, 2023
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Kraken or its management.
