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Average Cost Base Explained

Average Cost Base (ACB) represents the average price paid for the assets held by a strategy.

Aurono uses the average cost base as a mandatory safeguard when selling.

Understanding this concept is essential to understanding why Aurono may choose not to sell, even when price has risen.


The average cost base is calculated as:

The total amount spent on buys
divided by
the total amount of assets currently held by the strategy

It reflects the average acquisition price of the remaining position.


Each time Aurono executes a buy:

  • Capital is spent
  • Assets are added to the strategy’s holdings
  • The average cost base is recalculated

Multiple buys at different prices result in a blended average.


  • Increase total invested capital
  • Increase asset quantity
  • Recalculate the average cost base
  • Reduce asset quantity
  • Reduce invested capital proportionally
  • Recalculate the average cost base for the remaining position

The average cost base always reflects only the assets still held.


Aurono enforces the following rule:

Aurono only sells when the sell price is above the strategy’s average cost base.

This rule applies in addition to the sell trigger (Rise %).

This means:

  • Even if the sell trigger percentage is met
  • Aurono will not sell at a loss
  • Selling below average cost base is explicitly prevented

This rule:

  • Is always active
  • Cannot be disabled
  • Applies to all strategies

The ACB rule is designed to:

  • Prevent realizing losses through partial sells
  • Avoid capital erosion during volatile markets
  • Keep strategies accumulation-focused by design
  • Enforce disciplined execution

Aurono prioritizes capital preservation over trade frequency.


Assume:

  • A strategy has accumulated assets at an average cost base of €100
  • Price rises to €98
  • Sell trigger percentage condition is met

Result:

No sell occurs

Because selling would occur below the average cost base.

Aurono waits.


“Price went up, why no sell?”
The price was still below average cost base.

“The sell trigger was met.”
Sell triggers are evaluated after the ACB rule.

“Can I override this behavior?”
No. The ACB rule is mandatory.


Average cost base interacts directly with:

  • Sell trigger (Rise %)
  • Order sizing
  • Allocated capital

These parameters must be understood as a single system.


Average cost base is not:

  • A stop-loss
  • A take-profit target
  • A prediction
  • A market signal

It is a guardrail.


Average cost base defines when selling is allowed, regardless of market movement.

Aurono sells only when:

  • A candle has closed
  • Sell trigger conditions are met
  • The sell price is above average cost base

If no sell occurs, the safeguard simply held.


Continue with:

Order Sizing
/strategy-builder/order-sizing

Order sizes determine how much Aurono trades once conditions are met.