RSI Hidden Divergence Explained: How to Spot Trend Continuations Like a Pro

RSI Hidden Divergence Explained: How to Spot Trend Continuations Like a Pro

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ACY Securities logo picture.ACY Securities - Jasper Osita
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Jun 25, 2025
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“When price pulls back, but momentum stays strong - that’s the market telling you a continuation is ahead.”

Goal of This Lesson:

To help you understand RSI Hidden Divergence - what it signals, why it’s different from regular divergence, and how to trade it effectively to catch trend continuations.

Hidden vs. Regular Divergence: Know the Difference

Regular RSI Divergence = Spotting potential trend reversals.

Hidden RSI Divergence = Spotting potential trend continuations.

Divergence TypePrice ActionRSI BehaviorMarket Signal
Regular (Classic)Higher High / Lower LowLower High / Higher LowPotential reversal
HiddenHigher Low / Lower HighLower Low / Higher HighPotential continuation

Take Note: Divergences are only applicable during a trend, either its in the beginning, the middle or the end. We do not use divergences in a sideways market.

How Hidden RSI Divergence Works

RSI Hidden Divergence appears during pullbacks in a trend — and helps you spot momentum-based continuation setups.

  • In an uptrend:

Price makes a higher low, but RSI prints a lower lowbullish hidden divergence

  • In a downtrend:

Price makes a lower high, but RSI prints a higher highbearish hidden divergence

This means: Even though price pulls back, momentum remains strong, and the trend is likely to resume.

Why Hidden Divergence is Powerful

  • Confirms trend strength - helps you avoid fading strong markets
  • Gives early entry signals in pullbacks before breakouts happen
  • Works great with structure, like demand/supply zones or fair value gaps and smart money concepts
  • Fewer false signals when used with clear trend context (e.g., HH-HL or LL-LH structure)

How to Trade RSI Hidden Divergence (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Identify the Trend

Use structure (Higher Highs / Lower Lows) or EMAs to define if you're trending up or down.

Step 2: Wait for a Pullback / Rebound

Let price form a higher low in an uptrend (or lower high in a downtrend).

Step 3: Check RSI

Look for RSI to show the opposite behavior — a lower low in an uptrend, or a higher high in a downtrend.

Step 4: Confirm With Breakout

Use a body close, breaking out of the range.

Step 5: Define Your Trade

  • Entry: Breakdown / Breakout Candle
  • Stop-loss: Below recent swing low (or high) or range
  • Take profit: Use 2R–3R, structure levels

Example: Hidden Divergence in Gold (XAU/USD)

Imagine Gold (XAU) is in an uptrend and pulls back to a key level, whether its a Fair Value Gap, Previous Range or Moving Averages.

  • Price makes a higher low, but RSI prints a lower low
  • You spot a breakout of the range
  • That’s your bullish hidden divergence entry - expecting the trend to resume

Final Thought

Hidden RSI Divergence is like reading between the lines. While the market takes a breath, momentum quietly signals it’s not done running.

Used with structure and confirmation, this tool can help you catch the continuation wave - not just the turning point.

Check Out My Contents:

Strategies That You Can Use:

How To Trade & Scalp Indices at the Open Using Smart Money Concepts (SMC)

How to Trade Breakouts Effectively in Day Trading with Smart Money Concepts

Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Day Trading Gold (XAU/USD) with Smart Money Concepts (SMC)

The Power of Multi-Timeframe Analysis in Smart Money Concepts (SMC)

Forex Trading Strategy for Beginners

The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Market Trends and Price Action

Mastering Candlestick Pattern Analysis with the SMC Strategy for Day Trading

Mastering Risk Management: Stop Loss, Take Profit, and Position Sizing

How To Trade News:

Why Smart Money Concepts Work in News-Driven Markets - CPI, NFP, and More

How to Trade NFP Using Smart Money Concepts (SMC)-A Proven Strategy for Forex Traders

How to Trade CPI Like Smart Money - A Step-by-Step Guide Using SMC

Learn How to Trade US Indices:

How to Start Trading Indices and Get into the Stock Market with Low Capital (2025 Guide)

Best Indices to Trade for Day Traders | NASDAQ, S&P 500, DAX + Best Times to Trade Them

How To Trade & Scalp Indices at the Open Using Smart Money Concepts (SMC)

NAS100 - How to Trade the Nasdaq Like a Pro (Smart Money Edition)

How to Trade CPI Like Smart Money - A Step-by-Step Guide Using SMC

Why Smart Money Concepts Work in News-Driven Markets - CPI, NFP, and More

How to Start Trading Gold:

How to Swing Trade Gold (XAU/USD) Using Smart Money Concepts: A Simple Guide for Traders

Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Day Trading Gold (XAU/USD) with Smart Money Concepts (SMC)

The Ultimate Guide to Backtesting and Trading Gold (XAU/USD) Using Smart Money Concepts (SMC)

Why Gold Remains the Ultimate Security in a Shifting World

How to Exit & Take Profits in Trading Gold Like a Pro: Using RSI, Range Breakdowns, and MAs as Your Confluence

How to Start Day Trading:

5 Steps to Start Day Trading: A Strategic Guide for Beginners

8 Steps How to Start Forex Day Trading in 2025: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

3 Steps to Build a Trading Routine for Consistency and Discipline - Day Trading Edition

Learn how to navigate yourself in times of turmoil:

How to Identify Risk-On and Risk-Off Market Sentiment: A Complete Trader’s Guide

How to Trade Risk-On and Risk-Off Sentiment - With Technical Confirmation

The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Market Trends and Price Action

Want to learn how to trade like the Smart Money?

Mastering the Market with Smart Money Concepts: 5 Strategic Approaches

Mastering Candlestick Pattern Analysis with the SMC Strategy for Day Trading

Understanding Liquidity Sweep: How Smart Money Trades Liquidity Zones in Forex, Gold, US Indices

The SMC Playbook Series Part 1: What Moves the Markets? Key Drivers Behind Forex, Gold & Stock Indices

The SMC Playbook Series Part 2: How to Spot Liquidity Pools in Trading-Internal vs External Liquidity Explained

The SMC Playbook Series Part 3: Market Momentum Explained: Displacement, Manipulation & Imbalances in SMC

The SMC Playbook Series Part 4: How to Confirm Trend Reversal & Direction using SMC

The SMC Playbook Series Part 5: The Power of Multi-Timeframe Analysis in Smart Money Concepts (SMC)

Fair Value Gaps Explained: How Smart Money Leaves Footprints in the Market

Trading Psychology and Continuous Improvement Contents:

The Mental Game of Execution - Debunking the Common Trading Psychology

5 Steps to Backtest a Trading Strategy with AI: A Step-by-Step Guide

Managing Trading Losses: Why You Can Be Wrong and Still Win Big in Trading

The Hidden Threat in Trading: How Performance Anxiety Sabotages Your Edge

Why You Fail in Trading: You Don’t Have Enough Capital to Survive

Why 90% of Retail Traders Fail Even with Profitable Trading Strategies

Follow me for more daily market insights!

Jasper Osita - LinkedInFXStreetYouTube

This content may have been written by a third party. ACY makes no representation or warranty and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, nor any loss arising from any investment based on a recommendation, forecast or other information supplies by any third-party. This content is information only, and does not constitute financial, investment or other advice on which you can rely.

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