A pump on a catalyst vs A pump on nothing: what's the difference?
Why two identical-looking green candles can have opposite outcomes.
The short version
Why two identical-looking green candles can have opposite outcomes.
- A pump on a catalyst: A price rise driven by a real event and broadening demand.
- A pump on nothing: A price rise with no catalyst and no new buyers (often engineered).
Side by side
| Dimension | A pump on a catalyst | A pump on nothing |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | A genuine catalyst | Manipulation / nothing |
| Unique buyers | Broadening | Flat |
| Follow-through | More likely | Fades fast |
| Risk | Tradeable early | Pure trap |
Which one should you care about?
Key idea — Look behind the candle. A pump with a real catalyst and broadening buyers can run; a pump on nothing is a trap.
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