Trading-Journal Direction Bias: A Worked Crypto Example With Fees Included
Comparing long and short results in a journal often shows one side carrying the account. Funding and fees can differ between the two.
Short answer
Direction bias appears when results differ by side. Example: 45 longs net +$2,100 and 30 shorts net −$900 after fees and funding (shorts received $60 of funding, which helped slightly). Before concluding 'I can't short', check whether the period was a strong uptrend, whether shorts were taken against it, and whether short entries used different rules. Compare by regime.
Worked example
| Step | Value |
|---|---|
| Longs (45) | +$2,100 net |
| Shorts (30) | −$900 net |
| Funding on shorts | +$60 received |
| Period | Mostly uptrend |
| Shorts in downtrend only | Check separately |
By regime
| Regime | Longs | Shorts |
|---|---|---|
| Uptrend | Expected strong | Counter-trend |
| Downtrend | Counter-trend | Expected strong |
| Range | Compare directly | Compare directly |
Conclusion
Related: Trading-Journal Sample Segmentation: A Worked Crypto Example With Fees Included, Trading-Journal Review Cadence: A Worked Crypto Example With Fees Included.
Plan the same calculation with ChartsPod's position planner.
Open the ChartsPod terminalDirection bias appears when results differ by side.
Put Trading-Journal Direction Bias next to price, flow and positioning in one workspace.
Open a ChartsPod workspaceQuestions readers ask
Why do longs and shorts differ?
Often the market regime.
Does funding matter?
Yes; it differs by side.
Should I stop shorting?
Check by regime first.
Sources and methodology
Arithmetic uses standard sizing formulas. Fee rates (0.05% taker, 0.02% maker), slippage and funding values are illustrative; check your venue's schedule. Liquidation figures are simplified approximations; exchanges calculate them with their own maintenance-margin rules (see Bybit's documentation).
- Bybit: Liquidation process — mark price and margin modes.
- ChartsPod: product overview, pricing and FAQ — free terminal, venues, modules, no order placement; checked 17 Oct 2026.
This article explains research tools and workflows. It is not financial advice, does not recommend buying or selling any asset and does not predict prices. Crypto derivatives carry a risk of rapid and total loss of margin.
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