DCA (Dollar Cost Averaging)
DCA lets you accumulate a token over time by buying a fixed amount on a fixed schedule. It removes timing risk and the emotional rollercoaster of trying to call the bottom.
How DCA Works
You tell Return To BTC:
- What to buy (the token)
- How much per interval (in BTC or USD)
- How often (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, custom)
- How long (number of buys, or until cancelled)
The bot then executes a market buy at every interval, regardless of price.
Creating a DCA Plan
From Trade → DCA:
- Pick the token to accumulate.
- Enter the per-buy amount (e.g.
0.0005 BTC). - Pick the interval (e.g.
Daily). - Pick the start time (now, or scheduled).
- Pick the end condition:
- After N buys (e.g. 30 daily buys = 30 days)
- Until cancelled
- Until total spent reaches X
- Confirm.
The bot returns a DCA plan ID and the schedule.
Why DCA?
| Strategy | Best for |
|---|---|
| Daily / Weekly DCA | Long-term BTC-denominated savings into an altcoin |
| Hourly DCA | Aggressive accumulation during a downtrend |
| DCA + Limit Orders | "Buy a base + opportunistically buy dips" |
| DCA on stablecoins | Build a position without touching BTC exposure |
DCA wins because it makes you show up on schedule — no FOMO highs, no panic lows.
Managing DCA Plans
Orders → DCA shows all active plans with:
- Token, per-buy amount, interval
- Buys completed / remaining
- Average entry so far
- Next scheduled buy
- Pause / Resume / Cancel buttons
You can pause a plan during volatile news, then resume when you're ready. Average entry updates after every fill.
Skipping Buys
A DCA buy is skipped (and reported in chat) if:
- Your wallet balance is too low
- Token liquidity is insufficient at your slippage
- The token has been blacklisted (e.g. detected rug)
The next buy still happens on schedule.
Fees
Each DCA buy is a regular market order and pays the standard fees — see Trading → Fees. The 1% integrator fee applies per buy.
Tips
- Pair DCA with Price Alerts so you're aware of major moves while accumulating.
- Use Limit Orders to take profit on the position you DCA'd into.
- Smaller, more frequent buys = smoother average. Larger, less frequent buys = lower fee drag.
Next: Price Alerts →