Volume tells the real story behind every price move. When you see the price climbing alongside heavy trading volume, institutions are likely accumulating — that's a legitimate bull signal worth paying attention to. Conversely, if prices are rising but volume stays thin and quiet, you're probably watching retail traders chase momentum. That's noise, and it's easy to get caught in the rug pull.

Here's what separates conviction moves from flash pumps: breakouts that stick have teeth — they break resistance on above-average volume. Without that volume confirmation, you're just watching a fake-out waiting to happen.

Then there's the accumulation pattern — price hovering sideways while volume climbs steadily. Smart money is quietly loading up, building their position before the real move. Watch for it.

When selling pressure hits hard with heavy volume driving price down? That's capitulation, and it often marks trend transitions. The bottom line: never ignore volume. It's the fingerprint of who's really in control of the market.