Stop Loss and Stop Limit orders let you schedule the sale of your shares so it runs automatically if the price drops to the level you choose. Before using them, learn how they work and what risks they carry.
The stop price doesn't guarantee your sale price
The stop price (activation price) only sets when your order activates.
- Stop Loss: once activated, it becomes a market order and sells at the available price, which may be very different from your stop price, even much lower.
- Stop Limit: once activated, it becomes a limit order and only sells at your limit price or higher.
Neither guarantees a sale price or a maximum loss.
A sharp price move can activate your order
A quick price move, even a brief one, can activate your order. You could sell at a price you didn't want, even if the stock recovers that same day.
In extreme volatility, stop orders can speed up declines
When many sell stop orders activate at once, selling pressure increases and the price can fall faster. This can also lower your sale price.
A limit price gives more certainty, but the order may not execute
With a Stop Limit, you never sell below your limit price. But if the price drops quickly past your limit, the order may not sell or may sell only in part, and your stock may keep losing value.
Unsold shares stay pending until the price returns to your limit or the order expires (1 day or 90 days, depending on the duration you chose).
Volatile market conditions
During high-volatility events, trading pauses, or temporary price bands, prices can change a lot in a short time. In those conditions, your order is more likely to activate on a brief move or to sell at a price very different from your stop price.
Before placing your order, check how the stock's price is moving.
When your order activates and the risk at the open
Your order activates when a trade is recorded at or below your stop price, during regular hours only: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, except U.S. holidays. Even if you can trade on Bitso outside those hours, your order doesn't activate overnight, on weekends, or on holidays.
If the price drops while the market is closed, the stock may open below your stop price. In that case, a Stop Loss sells at the first available price, which may be much lower, and a Stop Limit may not sell.
Didn't work? Here's what to do
A Stop Limit order may not sell, or may sell only in part, if the price drops quickly past your limit price. Check its status and decide whether to keep it or cancel it.
- Check your order: go to Activity > Scheduled and filter by Stops, or open it from the stock page. Tap the order to see its details.
- Cancel it if you no longer want it: in the order details, tap Cancel order. If it partially sold, tap Cancel the rest. If the order executes before the cancellation is processed, the sale stands.
- Contact our support team if the order was cancelled or rejected with no clear reason, if its status isn't updating, or if the quantity or amount sold doesn't match your portfolio.
Placing a stop order is your own instruction, not a personalized recommendation from Nvierto.