David Bennett's book is a gold standard for practical, no-nonsense day trading in volatile futures markets like grains (corn, soybeans, wheat on CME). Its core strength is a simple, repeatable system based on price action, risk management, and execution during high-volatility sessions—principles that translate exceptionally well to ETH perpetual futures on platforms like Kraken Pro. ETH's 24/7 nature and high intraday swings (often 3–10% during US hours) mimic the "open volatility" Bennett describes for grains.
Since you're in Varna (EET, UTC+2), I'll tailor tips to your local time, focusing on US market open hours (~15:30–22:00 EET), when ETH liquidity peaks and correlates with S&P 500/ES minis. Here's a detailed adaptation guide, broken into key book concepts with ETH-specific tweaks. (Assume you're using 5–15 min charts on Kraken Pro for intraday.)
1. Adapting the "Initial Move" and Session Open Setup
- Bennett's Core: At grain market open (e.g., 9:30 AM CT for CME grains), watch the first 5–15 minutes to gauge the "initial move" (up/down range). This sets your bias: bullish if above open, bearish if below. Map quick support/resistance from highs/lows.
- ETH Adaptation: Crypto has no fixed open, but treat US session start (~15:30 EET / 13:30 UTC) as your "open" — that's when volume surges (London-NY overlap).
- Tip: In the first 15–30 minutes (15:30–16:00 EET), note ETH's "initial swing" from the pre-US low/high. If price breaks above the 15-min high, go long (target +2–3x risk). If below low, short.
- ETH Twist: Add funding rate check (via Kraken Futures tab) at session start — positive funding favors shorts (longs pay you), negative favors longs.
- Example Setup: If ETH opens US session at $2,900 and swings +$50 in first 15 min, bias long with stop below session low (-$30 risk, target +$90–$150).
2. Support/Resistance and Zone Mapping
- Bennett's Core: Use early session highs/lows, pivots, and volume clusters to draw "zones" for entries (e.g., buy near support after rejection).
- ETH Adaptation: On Kraken Pro, enable VPVR (Volume Profile) for visible range — it shows ETH's "value areas" like grain pit levels. Combine with round numbers ($2,900, $3,000) and previous day's highs/lows.
- Tip: During your 15:30–19:00 EET window, map zones in the first hour: e.g., POC (longest volume bar) as fair value. Enter long on bounce from VAL (value area low), stop below it.
- ETH Twist: Watch BTC correlation — if BTC rejects a level, ETH often follows. Use Kraken's order book for live depth (thicker bids = stronger support).
- Risk Management: Bennett's 1:2–1:3 reward:risk ratio fits ETH — but cap leverage at 5–10x to avoid liquidation (ETH can wick $100+ fast).
3. Trend Bias and Trade Management
- Bennett's Core: Once bias forms, trade in that direction only; trail stops on winners, cut losers quick. Avoid counter-trend until reversal proof.
- ETH Adaptation: In US hours, ETH trends stronger with macro (e.g., Nasdaq moves). If initial move is up, only long until a lower low forms.
- Tip: Use Bennett's "add-on" rule: Partial out at first target (+1R), trail the rest with a 15-min close below trailing stop. For ETH, add a time filter — exit by 19:00 EET if no momentum (volume drops post-overlap).
- ETH Twist: Incorporate funding resets (every 8 hours, e.g., ~18:00 EET) — if negative and you're long, it pays you to hold briefly.
- Example: Long ETH at $2,920 support (bias from initial up-move), target $2,970 (1R = $30 risk, so 1:3 = $90 profit). Trail stop to entry after +$50.
4. Risk and Money Management
- Bennett's Core: Risk max 1% per trade, 2–3 trades/day; position size based on stop distance. Journal everything.
- ETH Adaptation: With ETH's volatility, stick to 0.5–1% account risk per trade. Use Kraken's position calculator for leverage-adjusted size.
- Tip: Bennett's "daily loss limit" (e.g., 2–3R total) is crucial for ETH — stop after 2 losing trades in US session to avoid tilt.
- ETH Twist: Factor in slippage (crypto spreads widen in thin hours) — use limit orders. Track funding P&L separately in your journal.
- Daily Routine: Pre-session (15:00 EET): Review overnight ETH moves. Post-session (19:00+): Journal wins/losses like Bennett's monthly reviews.
5. Psychological and Execution Tips
- Bennett's Core: Discipline over prediction; practice on sim accounts; trade small until consistent.
- ETH Adaptation: Use Kraken's demo mode for ETH perps to simulate US hours. Focus on execution speed — Kraken's interface is fast, but set hotkeys for quick entries.
- Tip: Bennett's "repetition builds edge" — backtest 50+ ETH US sessions on TradingView (Kraken symbols) using his initial move rules.
- ETH Twist: Crypto FOMO is real — counter it with Bennett's "wait for setup" patience, especially during news (e.g., CPI at 15:30 EET).
Potential Challenges & Enhancements
- Volatility Mismatch: Grains are ~1–3% daily; ETH can be 5–15% — scale down Bennett's targets (e.g., 1:2 ratio instead of 1:3).
- Tools on Kraken: Use built-in indicators (MA, RSI sparingly — Bennett hates complexity) + VPVR for volume zones.
- Resources: Combine with crypto-specific books like "The Mental Game of Trading" for ETH's emotional swings. Track progress over 20 US sessions (~1 month at 5 days/week).
Since childhood there I've been a keen radio enthusiast. I remember having an old Blaupunkt as well as a Philips radio tuners from my father, sitting in my room tuning different radio stations.
Now I think to re-start this passion and really liked this one Grundig RT 200 tuner which looks so stylish with its wooden cover, silver controls and golden back light.
The Grundig RT 200 can receive the following radio bands:
-
FM (Frequency Modulation): 87.5 – 108 MHz
-
MW (Medium Wave / AM): 510 – 1620 kHz
-
LW (Long Wave): 145 – 350 kHz
-
SW I (Short Wave I): 3.15 – 8.8 MHz
-
SW II (Short Wave II): 8.6 – 22.5 MHz
I've been demo testing Optimus Flow futures trading platform of Optimus Futures for the last couple of weeks and I have to say that it is rather more intuitive and easy to use compared even to Tradovate..
It feels good to be back trading #dow $mym
DOM is very easy to use and to place orders, as well as you can place orders from the chart and the volume profile settings are amazing. Also predetermined stop-loss and take-profit orders are great to use for my strategies.
Here is a screen shot from chart set up and DOM.
Currently, I am in a process of switching broker as had to close my Tradovate/NT account. Maybe, I'll write a post about that later on, maybe not. I've been testing Optimus Flow platform for the last few days and my first impressions are great, it feels very intuitive to use, no hustle at all. It has great features for day trades and especially for those who apply volume profiles and trade from DOM.
Here we go with my first demo trade today, trading Micro Dow Eminis - $MYM for $15 bucks gross or that would be around $13 and something after comms and fees.
This is for today trading #dow $my_f $mym_f
Initially as of too tight stop got stopped out; however either due to stubborn revenge trading or due to conviction that the price action would go higher into bullish imbalance, re-entered at same price for a profit.
Trading micro e-mini dow futures today. Entered at a break out; however there were no enough buyers to get the price action pulling the price higher as well as I noticed a lot of sell orders sitting above break even -- most likely take profit orders for the days. So I chose to play safe and close at a small loss.
Here we are:
I am back trading micros on emini dow contracts. Still feel cautious and am in and out the market for some fast scalps as this one:
Shorting wheat $ZW_F at open.
Wow, the market is very volatile. I'm back trading MYM. Shorting at open.
In these volatile conditions, need wider stops. Got stopped out.
Back trading Micro Dwo Minis. Had an entry at a breakout on bullish imbalance; hit a second order by mistake and had two running orders which turned in my favour. Now closed both positions. Will revert with an update during PM session.
This is for today -- trading long on bullish imbalance.
Dow
Tuesday
7/09/2024 10:53:00 PM GMT+03:00
Here we go with today's trading session.
This is how you make it trail. Since days of declines in wheat market, the price met some support at $5.60/bu and bounced on intraday basis.
Here already secured profits and will let it trail and either hit SL in profit or TP in bigger profit.
Here we go at the close of the grains session.
Here in profit now trading lower on imbalance.
Grains
Monday
6/10/2024 05:04:00 PM GMT+03:00
Grains and Oilseeds are my favourite CBOT futures to trade. The market is slow paced, rather trendy and predictable intraday.
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Transactions journal
N Instrument Pos. Qty Entry Exit Entry time Exit time Profit Cum. net profit
1 MYM 03-24 Long 1 38533 38501 2/21/2024 16:53 2/21/2024 16:58 -16,50 $-16,50 $
2 MYM 03-24 Long 1 38547 38584 2/21/2024 17:05 2/21/2024 17:11 18,00 $ 1,50 $
3 MYM 03-24 Long 1 38590 38595 2/21/2024 17:12 2/21/2024 17:13 2,00 $ 3,50 $
4 MYM 03-24 Short 1 38435 38423 2/21/2024 22:15 2/21/2024 22:16 5,50 $ 9,00 $
5 MYM 03-24 Long 1 38633 38638 2/21/2024 22:52 2/21/2024 22:53 2,00 $ 11,00 $
6 MYM 03-24 Short 1 39184 39173 2/23/2024 21:02 2/23/2024 21:10 5,00 $ 16,00 $
7 MYM 03-24 Short 1 38965 39005 2/27/2024 17:05 2/27/2024 17:20 -20,50 $-4,50 $
8 MYM 03-24 Short 1 38987 38978 2/27/2024 17:21 2/27/2024 17:51 4,00 $ -0,50 $
9 MYM 03-24 Short 1 38963 38958 2/27/2024 17:53 2/27/2024 17:54 2,00 $ 1,50 $
10 MYM 03-24 Long 1 39023 39029 2/27/2024 22:43 2/27/2024 22:44 2,50 $ 4,00 $
11 MYM 03-24 Short 1 38647 38611 3/6/2024 21:14 3/6/2024 21:15 17,50 $ 21,50 $
12 MYM 03-24 Short 1 38769 38753 3/8/2024 20:36 3/8/2024 20:39 7,50 $ 29,00 $
13 MYM 06-24 Short 1 39220 39201 3/14/2024 21:08 3/14/2024 21:09 9,00 $ 38,00 $
14 MYM 06-24 Short 1 39178 39171 3/14/2024 21:25 3/14/2024 21:26 3,00 $ 41,00 $
15 MYM 06-24 Long 1 39318 39362 3/19/2024 16:25 3/19/2024 16:45 21,50 $ 62,50 $
16 MYM 06-24 Long 1 39575 39579 3/20/2024 16:56 3/20/2024 17:11 1,50 $ 64,00 $
17 MYM 06-24 Long 1 39741 39754 3/20/2024 20:42 3/20/2024 20:42 6,00 $ 70,00 $
18 MYM 06-24 Long 1 39798 39804 3/20/2024 20:46 3/20/2024 20:46 2,50 $ 72,50 $
19 MYM 06-24 Long 1 39900 39905 3/20/2024 21:18 3/20/2024 21:18 2,00 $ 74,50 $
20 MYM 06-24 Short 1 40046 40025 3/22/2024 16:40 3/22/2024 16:44 10,00 $ 84,50 $
21 MYM 06-24 Long 1 39785 39805 3/26/2024 16:43 3/26/2024 17:03 9,50 $ 94,00 $
22 MYM 06-24 Short 1 39683 39677 3/26/2024 21:48 3/26/2024 21:48 2,50 $ 96,50 $
23 MYM 06-24 Short 1 39436 39400 4/2/2024 16:46 4/2/2024 16:53 17,50 $ 114,00 $
24 MYM 06-24 Long 1 39321 39331 4/5/2024 19:15 4/5/2024 19:24 4,50 $ 118,50 $
25 MYM 06-24 Short 1 39238 39191 4/9/2024 16:43 4/9/2024 16:48 23,00 $ 141,50 $
26 MYM 06-24 Long 1 39232 39229 4/9/2024 23:14 4/9/2024 23:14 -2,00 $ 139,50 $
27 MYM 06-24 Short 1 38646 38687 4/10/2024 16:37 4/10/2024 16:38 -21,00 $118,50 $
28 MYM 06-24 Long 1 38812 38772 4/10/2024 17:25 4/10/2024 17:30 -20,50 $98,00 $
29 MYM 06-24 Long 1 38813 38827 4/10/2024 17:32 4/10/2024 17:33 6,50 $ 104,50 $
--
Trades with charts available at trades
Transactions posted on
this page should not be assumed as trading advice or recommendation.
<< home
David Bennett's book is a gold standard for practical, no-nonsense day trading in volatile futures markets like grains (corn, soybeans, wheat on CME). Its core strength is a simple, repeatable system based on price action, risk management, and execution during high-volatility sessions—principles that translate exceptionally well to ETH perpetual futures on platforms like Kraken Pro. ETH's 24/7 nature and high intraday swings (often 3–10% during US hours) mimic the "open volatility" Bennett describes for grains.
Since you're in Varna (EET, UTC+2), I'll tailor tips to your local time, focusing on US market open hours (~15:30–22:00 EET), when ETH liquidity peaks and correlates with S&P 500/ES minis. Here's a detailed adaptation guide, broken into key book concepts with ETH-specific tweaks. (Assume you're using 5–15 min charts on Kraken Pro for intraday.)
1. Adapting the "Initial Move" and Session Open Setup
- Bennett's Core: At grain market open (e.g., 9:30 AM CT for CME grains), watch the first 5–15 minutes to gauge the "initial move" (up/down range). This sets your bias: bullish if above open, bearish if below. Map quick support/resistance from highs/lows.
- ETH Adaptation: Crypto has no fixed open, but treat US session start (~15:30 EET / 13:30 UTC) as your "open" — that's when volume surges (London-NY overlap).
- Tip: In the first 15–30 minutes (15:30–16:00 EET), note ETH's "initial swing" from the pre-US low/high. If price breaks above the 15-min high, go long (target +2–3x risk). If below low, short.
- ETH Twist: Add funding rate check (via Kraken Futures tab) at session start — positive funding favors shorts (longs pay you), negative favors longs.
- Example Setup: If ETH opens US session at $2,900 and swings +$50 in first 15 min, bias long with stop below session low (-$30 risk, target +$90–$150).
2. Support/Resistance and Zone Mapping
- Bennett's Core: Use early session highs/lows, pivots, and volume clusters to draw "zones" for entries (e.g., buy near support after rejection).
- ETH Adaptation: On Kraken Pro, enable VPVR (Volume Profile) for visible range — it shows ETH's "value areas" like grain pit levels. Combine with round numbers ($2,900, $3,000) and previous day's highs/lows.
- Tip: During your 15:30–19:00 EET window, map zones in the first hour: e.g., POC (longest volume bar) as fair value. Enter long on bounce from VAL (value area low), stop below it.
- ETH Twist: Watch BTC correlation — if BTC rejects a level, ETH often follows. Use Kraken's order book for live depth (thicker bids = stronger support).
- Risk Management: Bennett's 1:2–1:3 reward:risk ratio fits ETH — but cap leverage at 5–10x to avoid liquidation (ETH can wick $100+ fast).
3. Trend Bias and Trade Management
- Bennett's Core: Once bias forms, trade in that direction only; trail stops on winners, cut losers quick. Avoid counter-trend until reversal proof.
- ETH Adaptation: In US hours, ETH trends stronger with macro (e.g., Nasdaq moves). If initial move is up, only long until a lower low forms.
- Tip: Use Bennett's "add-on" rule: Partial out at first target (+1R), trail the rest with a 15-min close below trailing stop. For ETH, add a time filter — exit by 19:00 EET if no momentum (volume drops post-overlap).
- ETH Twist: Incorporate funding resets (every 8 hours, e.g., ~18:00 EET) — if negative and you're long, it pays you to hold briefly.
- Example: Long ETH at $2,920 support (bias from initial up-move), target $2,970 (1R = $30 risk, so 1:3 = $90 profit). Trail stop to entry after +$50.
4. Risk and Money Management
- Bennett's Core: Risk max 1% per trade, 2–3 trades/day; position size based on stop distance. Journal everything.
- ETH Adaptation: With ETH's volatility, stick to 0.5–1% account risk per trade. Use Kraken's position calculator for leverage-adjusted size.
- Tip: Bennett's "daily loss limit" (e.g., 2–3R total) is crucial for ETH — stop after 2 losing trades in US session to avoid tilt.
- ETH Twist: Factor in slippage (crypto spreads widen in thin hours) — use limit orders. Track funding P&L separately in your journal.
- Daily Routine: Pre-session (15:00 EET): Review overnight ETH moves. Post-session (19:00+): Journal wins/losses like Bennett's monthly reviews.
5. Psychological and Execution Tips
- Bennett's Core: Discipline over prediction; practice on sim accounts; trade small until consistent.
- ETH Adaptation: Use Kraken's demo mode for ETH perps to simulate US hours. Focus on execution speed — Kraken's interface is fast, but set hotkeys for quick entries.
- Tip: Bennett's "repetition builds edge" — backtest 50+ ETH US sessions on TradingView (Kraken symbols) using his initial move rules.
- ETH Twist: Crypto FOMO is real — counter it with Bennett's "wait for setup" patience, especially during news (e.g., CPI at 15:30 EET).
Potential Challenges & Enhancements
- Volatility Mismatch: Grains are ~1–3% daily; ETH can be 5–15% — scale down Bennett's targets (e.g., 1:2 ratio instead of 1:3).
- Tools on Kraken: Use built-in indicators (MA, RSI sparingly — Bennett hates complexity) + VPVR for volume zones.
- Resources: Combine with crypto-specific books like "The Mental Game of Trading" for ETH's emotional swings. Track progress over 20 US sessions (~1 month at 5 days/week).
Since childhood there I've been a keen radio enthusiast. I remember having an old Blaupunkt as well as a Philips radio tuners from my father, sitting in my room tuning different radio stations.
Now I think to re-start this passion and really liked this one Grundig RT 200 tuner which looks so stylish with its wooden cover, silver controls and golden back light.
The Grundig RT 200 can receive the following radio bands:
-
FM (Frequency Modulation): 87.5 – 108 MHz
-
MW (Medium Wave / AM): 510 – 1620 kHz
-
LW (Long Wave): 145 – 350 kHz
-
SW I (Short Wave I): 3.15 – 8.8 MHz
-
SW II (Short Wave II): 8.6 – 22.5 MHz
I've been demo testing Optimus Flow futures trading platform of Optimus Futures for the last couple of weeks and I have to say that it is rather more intuitive and easy to use compared even to Tradovate..
It feels good to be back trading #dow $mym
DOM is very easy to use and to place orders, as well as you can place orders from the chart and the volume profile settings are amazing. Also predetermined stop-loss and take-profit orders are great to use for my strategies.
Here is a screen shot from chart set up and DOM.
Currently, I am in a process of switching broker as had to close my Tradovate/NT account. Maybe, I'll write a post about that later on, maybe not. I've been testing Optimus Flow platform for the last few days and my first impressions are great, it feels very intuitive to use, no hustle at all. It has great features for day trades and especially for those who apply volume profiles and trade from DOM.
Here we go with my first demo trade today, trading Micro Dow Eminis - $MYM for $15 bucks gross or that would be around $13 and something after comms and fees.
This is for today trading #dow $my_f $mym_f
Initially as of too tight stop got stopped out; however either due to stubborn revenge trading or due to conviction that the price action would go higher into bullish imbalance, re-entered at same price for a profit.
Trading micro e-mini dow futures today. Entered at a break out; however there were no enough buyers to get the price action pulling the price higher as well as I noticed a lot of sell orders sitting above break even -- most likely take profit orders for the days. So I chose to play safe and close at a small loss.
Here we are:
I am back trading micros on emini dow contracts. Still feel cautious and am in and out the market for some fast scalps as this one:
Shorting wheat $ZW_F at open.
Wow, the market is very volatile. I'm back trading MYM. Shorting at open.
In these volatile conditions, need wider stops. Got stopped out.
Back trading Micro Dwo Minis. Had an entry at a breakout on bullish imbalance; hit a second order by mistake and had two running orders which turned in my favour. Now closed both positions. Will revert with an update during PM session.
This is for today -- trading long on bullish imbalance.
Dow
Tuesday
7/09/2024 10:53:00 PM GMT+03:00
Here we go with today's trading session.
This is how you make it trail. Since days of declines in wheat market, the price met some support at $5.60/bu and bounced on intraday basis.
Here already secured profits and will let it trail and either hit SL in profit or TP in bigger profit.
Here we go at the close of the grains session.
Here in profit now trading lower on imbalance.
Grains
Monday
6/10/2024 05:04:00 PM GMT+03:00
Grains and Oilseeds are my favourite CBOT futures to trade. The market is slow paced, rather trendy and predictable intraday.
<< home