A signal, in trading, is a trigger suggesting that it may be time to buy, sell or hold an asset. Signals can come from technical indicators, such as a price crossing a moving average or a reading on MACD, from fundamental news, from on-chain data in crypto, or from an analyst's judgment. Systematic traders combine many signals into rules, and algorithmic trading systems act on them automatically. In crypto, "signals" often means trade suggestions posted in paid Telegram or Discord groups, typically giving an entry price, a target and a stop-loss level. Many such groups are unregulated, have no verified track record, and some are linked to front-running or pump and dump schemes, in which organisers buy before announcing a "signal" and sell to followers. In economics, a related but distinct idea is covered under market signal.
Last updated 13 Nov 2026