Strategy Overview
This method uses four exponential moving averages on Olymp Trade's Quickler to identify momentum reversals during five-second expiry trades. The four EMAs each respond at a different speed, so when they align in the same direction and the fastest line shifts first, it signals that the short-term trend may be changing.
The approach relies on clear visual alignment rather than complex indicator combinations. Trades are only taken when the chart setup meets all conditions simultaneously — partial setups are skipped entirely.
One honest caveat: all four lines are the same type of indicator built from the same price data. When they line up, that is correlation, not independent confirmation — four EMAs agreeing is one idea repeated four times. They also lag and whipsaw badly in choppy, sideways conditions.
The Four EMA Setup
Apply all four exponential moving averages to your Olymp Trade Quickler chart with the following periods and colors:
- Red line: 1-period EMA (fastest — leads all signals)
- Green line: 5-period EMA
- Blue line: 20-period EMA
- Orange line: 30-period EMA (slowest — confirms trend direction)
Chart Type: Use Graph Mode
Switch your Olymp Trade chart display to graph (line) mode before applying this strategy. Candlestick charts add visual noise that makes EMA alignments harder to read at the five-second level, while the linear graph keeps the four lines clean and easy to track.
Entry Signal Rules
CALL (Up) Entry
- All four EMA lines are sloping downward together
- The red (1-period) EMA begins turning and crosses above the green (5-period) EMA
- Enter a CALL trade immediately on the confirmed crossover
PUT (Down) Entry
- All four EMA lines are sloping upward together
- The red (1-period) EMA begins turning and crosses below the green (5-period) EMA
- Enter a PUT trade immediately on the confirmed crossover
The key requirement before every entry is that all four lines must be aligned in the same direction. If the lines are tangled, flat, or moving in opposite directions, do not enter — wait for a cleaner setup.
Trade Settings
- Platform: Olymp Trade Quickler
- Chart type: Graph (line)
- Expiry: 5 seconds
- Direction: Based on crossover signal (CALL or PUT)
- Exit: Automatic at expiration
Why 5-Second Expiry Is So Hard
Be clear-eyed about the timeframe. A five-second expiry is one of the highest-variance ways to trade that exists. Over five seconds, price is dominated by random noise and the spread rather than by any trend your EMAs can measure, and because the averages lag, a crossover often confirms a move that has already happened by the time your trade opens. Outcomes swing wildly from one entry to the next, so short streaks tell you almost nothing. Slower expiries on the Quickler or a structured 1-minute reversal setup give the same signals more room to play out.
What to Expect from Results
This strategy produces mixed but structured results. Some setups close in your favor while others are coin-flips or losses, and no crossover setup can be expected to win every trade. The advantage is the repeatable, rule-based signal — every entry uses the same visual confirmation rather than guesswork.
Trades tend to perform better when:
- All four lines are clearly separated and aligned before the crossover
- The red EMA crosses decisively rather than hovering near the green line
- Price momentum follows the EMA direction immediately after entry
Avoid entering when the lines are clustered together or when the crossover happens at mid-range without clear directional momentum.
Watch the Full Strategy Walkthrough
See the 4 EMA Crossover method in action on Olymp Trade Quickler — live trade examples, chart setup, and signal identification using the five-second expiry timeframe.
Risk Management
On a timeframe this fast, position sizing matters more than the signal. Keep each stake to a small, fixed fraction of your account — many traders cap a single trade at 1–2% — so a run of losses cannot wipe you out. Set a daily loss limit and stop when you hit it.
Do not use a martingale or any scheme where you double your stake after a loss. On high-variance five-second trades a losing streak is expected, and doubling up turns a normal streak into a blown account quickly. Test on a demo balance first, and treat this as a learning framework, not an income plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this strategy win every trade?
No. No indicator method wins every trade, and the four-EMA crossover is no exception. Because all four averages are the same lagging indicator on a five-second chart, false signals and losses are a normal, expected part of using it. Anyone promising guaranteed or "no-loss" results is not being truthful.
Why use graph (line) mode instead of candles?
At the five-second level candlesticks add clutter that makes the four EMA lines harder to read. Line mode keeps the alignment and crossover clean and easy to track. It does not change the underlying math — only how price is displayed.
Can I use these EMAs on longer expiries?
Yes. Many traders find the signals more reliable on slower charts because the lag hurts less and a move has more room to develop. The same alignment-then-crossover logic applies on any timeframe.
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This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Trading involves substantial risk; you can lose some or all of your capital. No result is guaranteed and past performance does not indicate future results. Trade only what you can afford to lose.
This setup is one of the five in our Top 5 EMA Strategies roundup — see how it compares with the other EMA methods across Quotex, Pocket Option, Olymp Trade and IQ Option.
