RSI and MACD in 2025 – Still Useful or Just Boomer Indicators?

[Belin]

Love this post really appreciate you bringing this up! I’ve been wondering the same lately. RSI and MACD were staples in my toolkit too, but with the way meme coins, DeFi narratives, and liquidity flows are moving so fast now, I’ve felt like those classic indicators lag a bit. Super curious to hear how others are blending old-school TA with on-chain metrics, CEX/DEX flow data, or even social sentiment tools. Feels like the game’s evolving and we all gotta level up. Following this thread closely,

 

[Olivia Mia]

I get the sentiment here. RSI and MACD were solid tools back in the day, but the market’s evolution seems to have left them in the dust. With the surge in DeFi, automated bots, and constant changes in liquidity dynamics, relying solely on those classic indicators feels almost outdated. Oversold/overbought signals seem like they’re more hit or miss now, especially when liquidity can change in an instant. The market's more complex than ever, and trying to fit into those old patterns doesn’t seem as effective anymore. I’ve been rethinking my entire strategy, and maybe it’s time to completely move away from these tools.

 

[Dean]

An excellent post that thoughtfully critiques the relevance of RSI and MACD in today's rapidly evolving crypto landscape. While these classic indicators have served traders well over the years, it's undeniable that market dynamics have shifted, particularly with the increasing integration of DeFi and the growing influence of institutional players. The oversold/overbought ranges, once viewed as reliable signals, now often show diminishing returns due to the increasing complexity of market drivers.


From an economist's perspective, it's clear that traditional tools must be supplemented with newer, more dynamic indicators that account for the decentralized finance ecosystem and broader macroeconomic factors. Integrating sentiment analysis, on-chain data, and liquidity flows from DeFi platforms offers a more nuanced understanding of market trends. Furthermore, as new financial products like yield farming and staking gain prominence, the strategy of simply relying on RSI or MACD becomes less effective in isolation.

 

[ELIZA]

Let’s be real: RSI and MACD were once kings. But with new market dynamics, are they still worth using?

• Do you rely on classic oversold/overbought ranges?
• How do you mix them with newer tools or DeFi flows?
  Share your updated strategy (if any) or how you’ve moved on to better setups.

RSI and MACD still show up to the party, but now they bring DeFi data and on-chain vibes as a plus-one.

 

[Lotus]

Let’s be real: RSI and MACD were once kings. But with new market dynamics, are they still worth using?

• Do you rely on classic oversold/overbought ranges?
• How do you mix them with newer tools or DeFi flows?
  Share your updated strategy (if any) or how you’ve moved on to better setups.

RSI and MACD still have a pulse—but they lag in a world driven by bots, narratives, and on-chain flows.
Now it’s hybrid mode: old TA meets real-time wallet tracking, DeFi TVL shifts, and perp funding rates for sharper edge.

 

[GIFZE]

Let’s be real: RSI and MACD were once kings. But with new market dynamics, are they still worth using?

• Do you rely on classic oversold/overbought ranges?
• How do you mix them with newer tools or DeFi flows?
  Share your updated strategy (if any) or how you’ve moved on to better setups.

RSI and MACD are outdated relics in a market driven by narratives and on-chain data—time to ditch them for real-time, flow-based strategies.

 

[SUNSHINE]

Honestly, I’m a bit torn here. RSI and MACD have been go-to indicators for so long, but with the way the market’s been shifting, I’m starting to wonder if they’re still as reliable. I mean, do they really work in this new DeFi-driven environment The classic overbought/oversold ranges don’t seem as clear-cut anymore. I’m definitely curious to hear how others are adapting their strategies. It’s a bit worrying—are we relying too much on outdated tools, or is there still some value in them? Any thoughts on newer setups that might be better suited for these times.

Totally feel you — traditional indicators like RSI and MACD can feel outdated in these hyper-volatile, DeFi-fueled markets. Lately, I’ve been leaning more on on-chain metrics and volume-weighted sentiment tools for better context — would love to hear what others are experimenting with too.