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ORDER FLOW · DIAGONAL IMBALANCES RAW-TRADE CHECK

Footprint Diagonal Imbalances in Crypto: How to Check the Raw Trades and Data Coverage

A diagonal imbalance compares ask volume at one price with bid volume one row below. Raw trades show whether it's a real aggression burst or an artefact of thin rows.

By ChartsPod Editorial Team · Reviewed by ChartsPod Research
Published · Updated · 5 min read

Short answer

To check a diagonal imbalance, look at the trades behind both cells: how many trades, their sizes and times, and whether one print dominates. Confirm the market's footprint coverage, the row size and ratio settings, and whether the bar was closed. An imbalance from one 2 BTC print against a 0.4 BTC cell is not the same as one from 200 trades.

Check the raw trades

CheckWhat to look atWhat it rules out
Trades in ask cellCount and sizesSingle-print effect
Trades in bid cellCount and sizesTiny denominator
TimingWithin barBurst vs scattered
SettingsRow size, ratioArtefacts
Diagonal Imbalances: verification pathDiagonal Imbalances: verification path. Steps: 1. Imbalance seen — Row 60,020; 2. Ask cell trades — Count, sizes; 3. Bid cell trades — Count, sizes; 4. Settings — Row, ratio; 5. Then — Response1Imbalance seenRow 60,0202Ask cell tradesCount, sizes3Bid cell tradesCount, sizes4SettingsRow, ratio5ThenResponse
From chart reading to raw data. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Data explanations before market explanations

  • Single large print
  • Near-empty diagonal cell
  • Row size change
  • Live bar
Coverage questionsCoverage questions: Which venues are included?; Spot, perp or both?; Any reconnects or gaps?; Trade-based or estimated side?; Same window as price?.COVERAGE QUESTIONSWhich venues are included?Spot, perp or both?Any reconnects or gaps?Trade-based or estimated side?Same window as price?
Rule out data first. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Example

Diagonal Imbalances (illustrative)Diagonal Imbalances (illustrative): ASK CELL: 2.1 BTC, 1 trade; BID CELL: 0.4 BTC, 3 trades; RATIO: 525%; READ: One print.ASK CELL2.1 BTC, 1 tradeBID CELL0.4 BTC, 3 tradesRATIO525%READOne print
The reading changed after checking trades. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Illustrative: a 525% imbalance came from one 2.1 BTC market buy against 0.4 BTC on the diagonal; not evidence of sustained aggression.

Related: ChartsPod Diagonal Imbalance: Market Coverage and Data Limits Explained, Footprint Stacked Imbalances in Crypto: How to Check the Raw Trades and Data Coverage.

Open the tape and footprint for the same window in ChartsPod.

Open the live chart in ChartsPod

An imbalance from one 2 BTC print against a 0.4 BTC cell is not the same as one from 200 trades.

See Footprint Diagonal Imbalances in Crypto on live data in the free ChartsPod terminal.

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Questions readers ask

How do I check a diagonal imbalance?

Look at trades in both cells.

What's a common artefact?

One print against a thin cell.

Does row size matter?

Yes.

Sources and methodology

Order-flow concepts are explained from first principles and from TradingView's documented footprint and CVD methods; ChartsPod features were checked on its public pages on 17 October 2026. All numbers in examples are illustrative, not recorded market data.

  1. TradingView: Volume footprint charts, a complete guide — intrabar method, row size, imbalance, repainting.
  2. TradingView: Cumulative Volume Delta — intrabar estimation, anchor period.
  3. 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.

CHARTSPOD EDITORIAL EDITION · RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ONLY · NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE.