How to read a crypto bubble chart

What the market map shows

Start by choosing an exchange and a quote asset such as USDT, EUR, or BTC. A pair such as BTC-USDT shows Bitcoin priced in USDT. The figures then describe that pair on the selected exchange, not the entire crypto market across every venue.

• Position and color: the left side is for falling markets and the right side for rising markets. Color also tracks 24-hour price performance.
• Bubble size: larger bubbles have higher 24-hour quote volume among the markets shown. It is a relative visual comparison, not market capitalization or a precise ruler. Hover over a bubble for its displayed volume.
• Market details: select a bubble to see the pair’s last price, 24-hour change, high and low, quote volume, and live candles.

A quick way to use the chart

1. Keep comparisons like for like. Pick an exchange and quote asset first. A USDT-denominated volume and a BTC-denominated volume use different units, and exchange activity is venue-specific.
2. Read size and direction together. A large bubble on the rising side means relatively high reported trading value alongside a positive 24-hour move. A large bubble on the falling side means high activity alongside a negative move. Neither tells you what caused the move or what happens next.
3. Open a pair for detail. Choose a bubble or use the market selector, then compare its 24-hour statistics with candles at a selected interval. A 24-hour summary and an individual candle answer different questions.
4. Check other context. Before drawing a conclusion, look at the price chart, relevant news, and the market’s liquidity. The aquarium does not show an order book or tell you how easily an order could be filled.

What volume cannot tell you

Trading volume is activity, not net buying. Every completed trade has both a buyer and a seller. A large 24-hour total does not reveal which side was more motivated, why people traded, or whether the price will continue in either direction. It also does not measure the spread or available order-book depth. Treat a large bubble as a prompt to investigate, not as a trading signal.

Volume can be reported in the base asset (for example, BTC) or in the quote asset (for example, USDT). Exchange APIs expose these as separate values; Hezik’s bubble size uses quote volume so markets can be compared in the selected quote asset. Definitions can vary across products, so compare figures within the same exchange and filter.

Further reading

• Binance Academy: Volume — how volume is counted and denominated.
• Bybit API: Get Tickers — example exchange definitions for 24-hour volume, turnover, price change, high, and low.