Bitcoin Trend Armor EA - Stable Trend Following MQL4 Source Code for BTCUSD

Summary: Bitcoin Trend Armor EA is a stable trend-following MQL4 expert advisor for BTCUSD. It combines dual EMA trend detection, ADX strength filter and ATR-based dynamic stops. Suitable for H4 timeframe.




Bitcoin Trend Armor EA is designed for stable, trend-following automated trading on Bitcoin (BTCUSD). Unlike high-frequency or grid strategies, this EA focuses on capturing sustained medium-term trends while avoiding false breakouts and high-volatility whipsaws. The system uses dual EMA crossover for trend direction, ADX to filter out weak/non-trending markets, and ATR for dynamic stop loss and take profit. A unique volatility-based position sizing reduces exposure when Bitcoin volatility spikes. The EA includes maximum daily drawdown protection, spread control, and weekend gap avoidance.

Recommended Timeframe: H4
Trading Logic:

Trend Detection: EMA(20) and EMA(50) crossover confirms trend direction.

Trend Strength: ADX(14) must be above 25 to ensure a trending market.

Entry Signal: After crossover confirmation, wait for pullback to EMA20 (price touches or approaches) with momentum (MACD histogram positive for longs, negative for shorts).

Risk Management: Dynamic stop loss at 2x ATR from entry, take profit at 4x ATR. Trailing stop activates after 1.5x ATR profit. Position size reduces when ATR > average ATR × 1.5.

``mql4
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| BitcoinTrendArmorEA.mq4 |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property copyright ""
#property link ""
#property version "1.00"
#property strict

//--- input parameters with comments
input double BaseLotSize = 0.01; // Base lot size (0.01 BTC)
input int FastEMAPeriod = 20; // Fast EMA period for trend detection
input int SlowEMAPeriod = 50; // Slow EMA period for trend detection
input int ADXPeriod = 14; // ADX period for trend strength filter
input int ADXThreshold = 25; // Minimum ADX value to allow trading
input int MACDFast = 12; // MACD fast EMA period
input int MACDSlow = 26; // MACD slow EMA period
input int MACDSignal = 9; // MACD signal line period
input int ATRPeriod = 14; // ATR period for dynamic stops
input double ATRStopMultiplier = 2.0; // Stop loss as multiple of ATR
input double ATRTakeMultiplier = 4.0; // Take profit as multiple of ATR
input double TrailingStartMulti = 1.5; // Trailing starts after profit reaches this ATR multiple
input double TrailingStepMulti = 0.8; // Trailing step in ATR multiples
input double VolatilityLotReduce = 1.5; // Reduce lot size if ATR > avgATR this value
input int MagicNumber = 202417; // Unique EA identifier
input int MaxSpread = 120; // Maximum allowed spread in points (BTC spread is wider)
input double MaxDailyDrawdown = 6.0; // Maximum daily drawdown percentage
input bool UseSaturdayClose = true; // Close trades before Saturday 22:00 GMT

//--- global variables
double dailyStartEquity = 0;
datetime lastBarTime = 0;
bool saturdayCloseExecuted = false;
double avgATR = 0;
double baseATR = 0;

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Expert initialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int OnInit()
{
dailyStartEquity = AccountEquity();
lastBarTime = 0;
saturdayCloseExecuted = false;
avgATR = iATR(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, ATRPeriod, 1);
if(avgATR <= 0) avgATR = 800 Point;
baseATR = avgATR;
return(INIT_SUCCEEDED);
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Expert deinitialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void OnDeinit(const int reason)
{
Comment("");
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Get dynamic lot size based on current volatility |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
double GetDynamicLotSize(double currentATR)
{
double lot = BaseLotSize;
if(currentATR > avgATR VolatilityLotReduce && avgATR > 0)
{
lot = BaseLotSize (avgATR / currentATR);
}
if(lot < 0.005) lot = 0.005;
if(lot > 0.5) lot = 0.5;
lot = NormalizeDouble(lot, 2);
return lot;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Check trend direction using EMA crossover |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int GetTrendDirection()
{
double fastEMA = iMA(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, FastEMAPeriod, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 1);
double slowEMA = iMA(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, SlowEMAPeriod, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 1);
double fastEMAPrev = iMA(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, FastEMAPeriod, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 2);
double slowEMAPrev = iMA(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, SlowEMAPeriod, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 2);

// Uptrend: fastEMA above slowEMA and recently crossed or already above
if(fastEMA > slowEMA && fastEMAPrev <= slowEMAPrev)
return 1; // fresh bullish crossover
if(fastEMA > slowEMA)
return 2; // established uptrend
// Downtrend: fastEMA below slowEMA
if(fastEMA < slowEMA && fastEMAPrev >= slowEMAPrev)
return -1; // fresh bearish crossover
if(fastEMA < slowEMA)
return -2; // established downtrend

return 0; // no clear trend
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Check MACD momentum confirmation |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool IsMACDBullish()
{
double macdMain = iMACD(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, MACDFast, MACDSlow, MACDSignal, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_MAIN, 1);
double macdSignal = iMACD(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, MACDFast, MACDSlow, MACDSignal, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_SIGNAL, 1);
double macdHist = macdMain - macdSignal;
double macdHistPrev = iMACD(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, MACDFast, MACDSlow, MACDSignal, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_MAIN, 2) -
iMACD(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, MACDFast, MACDSlow, MACDSignal, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_SIGNAL, 2);

return (macdHist > 0 && macdHist > macdHistPrev);
}

bool IsMACDBearish()
{
double macdMain = iMACD(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, MACDFast, MACDSlow, MACDSignal, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_MAIN, 1);
double macdSignal = iMACD(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, MACDFast, MACDSlow, MACDSignal, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_SIGNAL, 1);
double macdHist = macdMain - macdSignal;
double macdHistPrev = iMACD(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, MACDFast, MACDSlow, MACDSignal, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_MAIN, 2) -
iMACD(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, MACDFast, MACDSlow, MACDSignal, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_SIGNAL, 2);

return (macdHist < 0 && macdHist < macdHistPrev);
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Check pullback to fast EMA |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool IsPullbackToEMA(int trendDir)
{
double fastEMA = iMA(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, FastEMAPeriod, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 1);
double close1 = iClose(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 1);
double low1 = iLow(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 1);
double high1 = iHigh(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 1);
double emaRange = fastEMA 0.002; // 0.2% tolerance for Bitcoin

if(trendDir > 0) // uptrend, price should pull back near EMA
{
return (low1 <= fastEMA + emaRange && close1 > fastEMA);
}
else if(trendDir < 0) // downtrend
{
return (high1 >= fastEMA - emaRange && close1 < fastEMA);
}
return false;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Expert tick function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void OnTick()
{
// Daily drawdown protection
double currentEquity = AccountEquity();
double drawdownPercent = (dailyStartEquity - currentEquity) / dailyStartEquity 100;
if(drawdownPercent >= MaxDailyDrawdown)
{
Comment("Max daily drawdown reached. No new trades.");
if(CountPositions() > 0 && drawdownPercent >= MaxDailyDrawdown + 2)
CloseAllOrders();
return;
}

// Saturday close before weekend gap
if(UseSaturdayClose && !saturdayCloseExecuted)
{
datetime currentTime = TimeCurrent();
if(TimeDayOfWeek(currentTime) == 6 && TimeHour(currentTime) >= 22)
{
CloseAllOrders();
saturdayCloseExecuted = true;
return;
}
if(TimeDayOfWeek(currentTime) != 6)
saturdayCloseExecuted = false;
}

// Spread filter for Bitcoin
if(MarketInfo(Symbol(), MODE_SPREAD) > MaxSpread)
{
Comment("Spread too high for BTC: ", MarketInfo(Symbol(), MODE_SPREAD));
return;
}

// New bar logic (H4)
if(Time[0] == lastBarTime)
return;
lastBarTime = Time[0];

// Update average ATR for volatility reference
double currentATR = iATR(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, ATRPeriod, 1);
if(currentATR > 0) avgATR = (avgATR 0.9) + (currentATR 0.1);

// Manage existing position with trailing stop
if(CountPositions() > 0)
{
ManageTrailingStop();
return;
}

// ADX trend strength filter
double adx = iADX(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, ADXPeriod, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_MAIN, 1);
if(adx < ADXThreshold)
{
Comment("Weak trend, ADX: ", adx);
return;
}

// Get trend direction
int trendDir = GetTrendDirection();
if(trendDir == 0)
{
Comment("No clear trend direction");
return;
}

// Check pullback condition
if(!IsPullbackToEMA(trendDir))
{
Comment("No pullback to EMA");
return;
}

int cmd = -1;
double sl = 0, tp = 0;
double ask = Ask;
double bid = Bid;
double dynamicLot = GetDynamicLotSize(currentATR);

// Long signal: uptrend, pullback confirmed, MACD bullish momentum
if((trendDir == 1 || trendDir == 2) && IsMACDBullish())
{
cmd = OP_BUY;
sl = bid - (currentATR ATRStopMultiplier);
tp = bid + (currentATR ATRTakeMultiplier);
}
// Short signal: downtrend, pullback confirmed, MACD bearish momentum
else if((trendDir == -1 || trendDir == -2) && IsMACDBearish())
{
cmd = OP_SELL;
sl = ask + (currentATR ATRStopMultiplier);
tp = ask - (currentATR ATRTakeMultiplier);
}

if(cmd != -1)
{
int ticket = OrderSend(Symbol(), cmd, dynamicLot, (cmd==OP_BUY?ask:bid), 5, sl, tp, "BTC Trend Armor", MagicNumber, 0, clrNONE);
if(ticket < 0)
Print("OrderSend failed: ", GetLastError());
}
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Manage trailing stop for open position |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void ManageTrailingStop()
{
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
{
double currentATR = iATR(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, ATRPeriod, 1);
if(currentATR <= 0) currentATR = avgATR;

double trailStartPrice = currentATR TrailingStartMulti;
double trailStep = currentATR TrailingStepMulti;
double newSL = 0;

if(OrderType() == OP_BUY)
{
double profitPoints = (Bid - OrderOpenPrice());
if(profitPoints >= trailStartPrice)
{
newSL = Bid - trailStep;
if(newSL > OrderStopLoss())
{
if(OrderModify(OrderTicket(), OrderOpenPrice(), newSL, OrderTakeProfit(), 0, clrNONE))
Print("Trailing stop updated for BUY #", OrderTicket());
}
}
}
else if(OrderType() == OP_SELL)
{
double profitPoints = (OrderOpenPrice() - Ask);
if(profitPoints >= trailStartPrice)
{
newSL = Ask + trailStep;
if(newSL < OrderStopLoss() || OrderStopLoss() == 0)
{
if(OrderModify(OrderTicket(), OrderOpenPrice(), newSL, OrderTakeProfit(), 0, clrNONE))
Print("Trailing stop updated for SELL #", OrderTicket());
}
}
}
break;
}
}
}
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Count open positions with this MagicNumber |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int CountPositions()
{
int count = 0;
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
count++;
}
}
return count;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Close all orders for this symbol and magic |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void CloseAllOrders()
{
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
{
if(OrderType() == OP_BUY)
OrderClose(OrderTicket(), OrderLots(), Bid, 5, clrNONE);
else if(OrderType() == OP_SELL)
OrderClose(OrderTicket(), OrderLots(), Ask, 5, clrNONE);
}
}
}
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
``
Reference: Original MQL4 code for educational purposes.
Disclaimer: Bitcoin trading carries extreme risk due to high volatility. This EA is provided as-is without any guarantee of profitability. Always test on a demo account for a minimum of 3 months before live deployment. Past performance does not guarantee future results.