Economic Cycles
Technical Indicators • Price Action • Chart Signals
recurring phases of expansion and contraction
Economic cycles, also known as business cycles, refer to the recurring phases of expansion and contraction in an economy over time. These cycles typically include four stages: expansion (growth), peak, contraction (recession), and trough. Understanding economic cycles helps investors, policymakers, and businesses anticipate changes in markets and make informed decisions.
Use Case: A strategic investor tracks economic cycles to rotate capital from growth assets like $ETH during expansions into defensive assets like $KAG during contractions, maximizing returns while preserving wealth across macro phases.
Key Concepts:
- Opportunity Cost — Weighing potential returns against cycle-aware positioning
- Expansion Phase — Period of economic growth, rising employment, and increasing asset prices
- Contraction Phase — Economic downturn characterized by declining output and market corrections
- Peak & Trough — Turning points that signal transitions between cycle phases
- 4-Year Cycle — The recurring crypto market rhythm driven by Bitcoin halving
- Capital Rotation — The cyclical movement of investment capital between asset classes
- Cycle Thresholds — Critical transition points between market phases
- Cycle Awareness — Understanding repeating psychological and price cycles
- Bitcoin Halving — Structural event that drives crypto economic cycles
- Cyclical Markets — Markets that follow predictable expansion/contraction patterns
Summary: Economic cycles provide the macro framework for understanding market rhythms and capital flows. By recognizing these patterns, investors can position themselves strategically across different asset classes, timing entries and exits to align with broader economic momentum and preserve generational wealth.
Capital Rotation Map
how capital flows through economic phases
Cash → Growth Assets → Risk Assets → Crypto
Crypto → Commodities → Defensive Assets
Risk Assets → Bonds → Cash → Gold/Silver
Defensive → Value → Growth → Speculation
The Four Phases of Economic Cycles
understanding the complete rhythm from growth to recovery
Economic Cycle Strategy Checklist
positioning across all four phases
☐ Macro indicators turning positive
☐ Increase risk asset allocation
☐ Ride crypto momentum
☐ Add Layer 1s and DeFi
☐ Set exit targets early
☐ Monitor for peak signals
☐ Euphoria reaching extremes
☐ Inflation concerns rising
☐ Begin scaling out of risk
☐ Rotate to $KAG/$KAU
☐ Increase stablecoin reserves
☐ Prepare for contraction
☐ Macro indicators negative
☐ Maximize defensive positioning
☐ Hold hard assets and cash
☐ Avoid catching falling knives
☐ Ledger for cold storage
☐ Watch for trough signals
☐ Extreme fear confirmed
☐ Smart money accumulating
☐ Begin DCA into BTC
☐ Add core positions slowly
☐ Prepare for expansion
☐ Patience as the edge