Have you ever bought crypto, watched it grow, and then everything fell and you were left with nothing? Congratulations, you have already encountered PNL, you just didn't know what it was. Most platforms show profit and loss, but what exactly these numbers mean is not always obvious. PNL in crypto is not a decoration for a chart, but a real tool that allows a trader to see whether he is in the black or in the red. In this article, we will figure out: how it works, what are the types of PNL, what it looks like on Binance, and why you should not trust all calculators in a row.
What is PNL and why is it needed at all
Profit and Loss is the financial result of your actions on the exchange. To put it very crudely: bought cheaper, sold more expensive, earned. Or vice versa, he lost it.
This is not the balance on the account and not the number of coins. This is a "dry" figure: how much is actually earned or lost.
Why do you need to know this:
- In order not to live with illusions (sometimes the numbers on the screen are not your profit);
- To evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies without too much emotion;
- In order not to fly into the red because of self-confidence.
Two types of PNL: implemented and unimplemented
Implemented by PNL
This is when you have already sold an asset and recorded a profit or loss. For example, I bought ETH at $1,500, sold it at $1,800 — I got +$300. This is the implemented PNL.
Unimplemented PNL
Everything is more complicated here. You hold an asset, its price changes, but you haven't sold anything yet. That is, the number on the screen is only a potential outcome. That is why PNL in crypto is always about two worlds: what has already happened and what has not yet happened.
How to watch PNL on Binance
On Binance, everything is quite simple:
- Go to the account.
- Go to "Finance" → "Profit and loss history".
- Select an asset, transaction type, or date range.
There you will see:
- Total profit or loss for the day;
- Percentage change for each item;
- Data on spot, futures and margin.
The interface is user-friendly — the main thing is to know where to look.
PNL reports and calculators: what's ok and what's not
Embedded on exchanges
Binance, OKX, and other major platforms have their own tools. You can generate a PNL report, see the dynamics of assets, and even upload it to Excel.
Third-party services
There are Koinly, CoinTracking, Delta, and others. They work through an API — they pull your data from exchanges. If you already use a third-party calculator, only a proven one.
How to Really Use PNL
Profit and Loss is not just for reporting. It helps:
- Determine which deals were successful;
- See the weaknesses in your strategy;
- Do not rejoice in advance if the profit has not yet been recorded.
Example: bought a token for $500, now it costs $700. On the screen +$200. But until he sold it, it's just a potential profit. It can disappear in a second.
Safety — don't ignore
In order not to become a victim of a leak through third-party services:
- Enable 2FA or use a hardware dongle;
- Check who logged into your account;
- Change passwords at least once every few months.
These are trifles, but they can save your deposit.
FAQ
How do you calculate PNL?
The formula is simple: Sale price – purchase price – commissions. In futures, position and leverage fees are also taken into account.
What is the difference between implemented and unimplemented PNL?
Realized is a fact (you sold). Unrealized is still "in progress". It can change at any time.
How to watch PNL on Binance?
Finance → History of profit and loss. Choose a date, asset, or type of transaction and see the statistics.
Can I use third-party calculators?
It is possible, but not all are equally safe. Trust only those that have a good reputation and do not require full API access.
Conclusion
PNL in crypto is an important thing. It should not be neglected. It allows you to soberly assess the results, not to be fooled by emotions and not to confuse "on the screen" with reality. Always think twice before you rejoice.





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