ICT CISD (Change in the State of Delivery): 2 Examples + 4 Steps

CISD, or Change in the State of Delivery, is a concept from the ICT (Inner Circle Trader) Smart Money framework.

It signals a major shift in market sentiment, where Smart Money transitions from accumulating or distributing to actively delivering price in a new direction.

This change often marks the start of a new trend or end of a previous one.

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1. Why is ICT CISD Important?

Smart Money doesn’t just move price randomly. Before a major move, they quietly build positions.

CISD shows us when they stop accumulating and start moving price with intention.

If you can identify CISD, you can catch powerful trades at the start of a trend—just like institutions do.

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2. What Does CISD Look Like?

Let’s break it down simply:

1. Before CISD:

• Price moves in a sideways range.
• This could be accumulation (before a bullish move) or distribution (before a bearish move).
• The market lacks strong direction.

2. At CISD:

• There’s a sudden breakout with volume or aggression.
• Often confirmed by a Market Structure Shift or Break of Structure (BOS).
• Fair Value Gaps (FVGs) and Order Blocks often form during this shift.

3. After CISD:

• Price starts to trend in the new direction.
• Institutional traders are now delivering price toward new liquidity zones.

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3. Example 1 – Bullish CISD in ICT

1. Price is moving sideways in a range between 1.1000 and 1.1050.
2. Suddenly, price breaks above 1.1050 with momentum.
3. A Fair Value Gap forms on the lower time frame.
4. Price pulls back into the gap, then continues higher.

This is a bullish CISD: Smart Money finished accumulating and is now delivering price upward.

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4. Example 2 – Bearish CISD in ICT

1. EUR/USD trades in a range near the top of a recent high.
2. Price breaks down below a key support (previous Higher Low).
3. A Breaker Block forms and acts as resistance.
4. Price continues to drop.

Here, Smart Money has shifted from distribution to delivery.

The bearish trend begins.

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5. How to Use CISD in Your Trading in ICT

1. Watch for Ranges
   Wait for clear sideways movement. This is where Smart Money hides their activity.
2. Look for a Sharp Move
   A clean breakout with market structure shift is a big clue. Use tools like BOS, FVGs, and Order Blocks to confirm.
3. Enter on Pullback
   Don’t chase the move. Wait for price to retrace into a Fair Value Gap or Order Block.
4. Set Logical Targets
   Target liquidity levels like equal highs/lows or previous swing points.

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6. Key Tools to Combine with CISD in ICT

• Fair Value Gaps (FVGs)
• Order Blocks
• Break of Structure (BOS)
• Daily Bias
• Liquidity Pools

Using these tools with CISD increases accuracy and reduces false signals.

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7. Final Thoughts about ICT CISD

CISD is a powerful Smart Money concept that helps traders catch the start of strong trends.

By identifying when Smart Money moves from passive to active delivery, you get a big-picture view of what’s coming next.

If you’re serious about trading like the institutions, learn to spot CISD.

It can change how you see the market—and how you trade it.