The number of traders is increasing more than before as more people are generally becoming more interested in ways to become more financially independent and as thus in search of skills like trading.
Does the number of traders directly affect the volatility of the market? If it does, can we assume that trading was easier before with less traders (less volatility) than now when there are more traders, and the market more volatile?
For me yes, I also experienced it in social media, where I have some friends in social media where they keep posting about their trades or profits during the bull market. But when the bear market comes, I don't see them anymore. Because for sure, most of their trades are only long trades and active only during a bull market.
Overall, more traders may improved liquidity and lower volatility, but this affect is dependent on a number of factors, including trading behaviour, market sentiment, and technology use.