Risk per trade is usually expressed as a percentage. "Risk 1% per trade" means position size is set so that if the stop-loss is hit, the loss equals 1% of account equity, no more, regardless of how far away that stop happens to be in price terms.
This is why position size and stop distance are linked, not independent choices: a wider ATR-based stop on a volatile coin means a smaller position (in units), and a tight stop on a calm coin allows a larger one, while the dollar risk per trade stays constant either way.
Keeping risk-per-trade small and consistent is what makes a long losing streak survivable. Ten losses in a row at 1% risk each costs about 10% of the account; the same streak at 5% risk per trade costs closer to half of it.
Educational content, not investment advice. zengtrade is paper-first and non-custodial.