Quarterly Theory ICT 05 [TradingFinder] Doubling Theory Signals🔵 Introduction
Doubling Theory is an advanced approach to price action and market structure analysis that uniquely combines time-based analysis with key Smart Money concepts such as SMT (Smart Money Technique), SSMT (Sequential SMT), Liquidity Sweep, and the Quarterly Theory ICT.
By leveraging fractal time structures and precisely identifying liquidity zones, this method aims to reveal institutional activity specifically smart money entry and exit points hidden within price movements.
At its core, the market is divided into two structural phases: Doubling 1 and Doubling 2. Each phase contains four quarters (Q1 through Q4), which follow the logic of the Quarterly Theory: Accumulation, Manipulation (Judas Swing), Distribution, and Continuation/Reversal.
These segments are anchored by the True Open, allowing for precise alignment with cyclical market behavior and providing a deeper structural interpretation of price action.
During Doubling 1, a Sequential SMT (SSMT) Divergence typically forms between two correlated assets. This time-structured divergence occurs between two swing points positioned in separate quarters (e.g., Q1 and Q2), where one asset breaks a significant low or high, while the second asset fails to confirm it. This lack of confirmation—especially when aligned with the Manipulation and Accumulation phases—often signals early smart money involvement.
Following this, the highest and lowest price points from Doubling 1 are designated as liquidity zones. As the market transitions into Doubling 2, it commonly returns to these zones in a calculated move known as a Liquidity Sweep—a sharp, engineered spike intended to trigger stop orders and pending positions. This sweep, often orchestrated by institutional players, facilitates entry into large positions with minimal slippage.
Bullish :
Bearish :
🔵 How to Use
Applying Doubling Theory requires a simultaneous understanding of temporal structure and inter-asset behavioral divergence. The method unfolds over two main phases—Doubling 1 and Doubling 2—each divided into four quarters (Q1 to Q4).
The first phase focuses on identifying a Sequential SMT (SSMT) divergence, which forms when two correlated assets (e.g., EURUSD and GBPUSD, or NQ and ES) react differently to key price levels across distinct quarters. For example, one asset may break a previous low while the other maintains structure. This misalignment—especially in Q2, the Manipulation phase—often indicates early smart money accumulation or distribution.
Once this divergence is observed, the extreme highs and lows of Doubling 1 are marked as liquidity zones. In Doubling 2, the market gravitates back toward these zones, executing a Liquidity Sweep.
This move is deliberate—designed to activate clustered stop-loss and pending orders and to exploit pockets of resting liquidity. These sweeps are typically driven by institutional forces looking to absorb liquidity and position themselves ahead of the next major price move.
The key to execution lies in the fact that, during the sweep in Doubling 2, a classic SMT divergence should also appear between the two assets. This indicates a weakening of the previous trend and adds an extra layer of confirmation.
🟣 Bullish Doubling Theory
In the bullish scenario, Doubling 1 begins with a bullish SSMT divergence, where one asset forms a lower low while the other maintains its structure. This divergence signals weakening bearish momentum and possible smart money accumulation. In Doubling 2, the market returns to the previous low and sweeps the liquidity zone—breaking below it on one asset, while the second fails to confirm, forming a bullish SMT divergence.
f this move is followed by a bullish PSP and a clear market structure break (MSB), a long entry is triggered. The stop-loss is placed just below the swept liquidity zone, while the target is set in the premium zone, anticipating a move driven by institutional buyers.
🟣 Bearish Doubling Theory
The bearish scenario follows the same structure in reverse. In Doubling 1, a bearish SSMT divergence occurs when one asset prints a higher high while the other fails to do so. This suggests distribution and weakening buying pressure. Then, in Doubling 2, the market returns to the previous high and executes a liquidity sweep, targeting trapped buyers.
A bearish SMT divergence appears, confirming the move, followed by a bearish PSP on the lower timeframe. A short position is initiated after a confirmed MSB, with the stop-loss placed
🔵 Settings
⚙️ Logical Settings
Quarterly Cycles Type : Select the time segmentation method for SMT analysis.
Available modes include : Yearly, Monthly, Weekly, Daily, 90 Minute, and Micro.
These define how the indicator divides market time into Q1–Q4 cycles.
Symbol : Choose the secondary asset to compare with the main chart asset (e.g., XAUUSD, US100, GBPUSD).
Pivot Period : Sets the sensitivity of the pivot detection algorithm. A smaller value increases responsiveness to price swings.
Pivot Sync Threshold : The maximum allowed difference (in bars) between pivots of the two assets for them to be compared.
Validity Pivot Length : Defines the time window (in bars) during which a divergence remains valid before it's considered outdated.
🎨 Display Settings
Show Cycle :Toggles the visual display of the current Quarter (Q1 to Q4) based on the selected time segmentation
Show Cycle Label : Shows the name (e.g., "Q2") of each detected Quarter on the chart.
Show Labels : Displays dynamic labels (e.g., “Q2”, “Bullish SMT”, “Sweep”) at relevant points.
Show Lines : Draws connection lines between key pivot or divergence points.
Color Settings : Allows customization of colors for bullish and bearish elements (lines, labels, and shapes)
🔔 Alert Settings
Alert Name : Custom name for the alert messages (used in TradingView’s alert system).
Message Frequenc y:
All : Every signal triggers an alert.
Once Per Bar : Alerts once per bar regardless of how many signals occur.
Per Bar Close : Only triggers when the bar closes and the signal still exists.
Time Zone Display : Choose the time zone in which alert timestamps are displayed (e.g., UTC).
Bullish SMT Divergence Alert : Enable/disable alerts specifically for bullish signals.
Bearish SMT Divergence Alert : Enable/disable alerts specifically for bearish signals
🔵 Conclusion
Doubling Theory is a powerful and structured framework within the realm of Smart Money Concepts and ICT methodology, enabling traders to detect high-probability reversal points with precision. By integrating SSMT, SMT, Liquidity Sweeps, and the Quarterly Theory into a unified system, this approach shifts the focus from reactive trading to anticipatory analysis—anchored in time, structure, and liquidity.
What makes Doubling Theory stand out is its logical synergy of time cycles, behavioral divergence, liquidity targeting, and institutional confirmation. In both bullish and bearish scenarios, it provides clearly defined entry and exit strategies, allowing traders to engage the market with confidence, controlled risk, and deeper insight into the mechanics of price manipulation and smart money footprints.
