A long (long position) is a trading strategy in which a market participant buys an asset expecting its price to rise further. The idea is simple: buy cheaper in order to sell more expensively later and profit from the difference. Traders who bet on a rise are traditionally called bulls.
You can open a long both on the spot market, by simply buying cryptocurrency, and using margin trading, when the position is increased with borrowed funds. A margin long can amplify both the potential result and losses, so it requires special attention to risk management.
A long position is contrasted with a short — betting on a decline, when the trader profits from a falling price. The choice between a long and a short depends on expectations about market dynamics. It is important to remember that price movements are unpredictable, so experienced participants determine exit points in advance and use loss-limiting tools such as stop orders.
