I’m 25 this year, and I began trading cryptocurrencies at 20. Over the past eight years, I’ve grown my capital to eight figures, a milestone I expect to fully realize by 2024–2025.

Throughout my journey, I’ve rarely had disputes with others in business, and I live with a clear mind. The key to surviving and thriving in crypto isn’t just technical skill—it’s having a strong, patient mindset.

Here are seven core principles I’ve learned:

1. Bitcoin leads the market. Its movements shape the entire crypto space. While Ethereum occasionally breaks free with strong momentum, most altcoins remain tethered to BTC’s direction.

2. BTC and USDT often move inversely. When you see USDT rising, it may signal Bitcoin is dropping. Conversely, a rising BTC is the perfect time to stock up on USDT.

3. Between 0:00 and 1:00, price “wicks” often occur. Smart traders in China can set low buy orders and high sell orders before bed—sometimes, they get filled overnight.

4. 6–8 a.m. is a key window. If prices have been falling overnight and continue to drop during this time, it’s usually a buying signal. If they’ve been rising, it’s often the best time to take profit.

5. At 5 p.m., expect volatility. As U.S. traders wake up, significant price swings can occur. Stay alert.

6. “Black Friday” in crypto is unpredictable. While Friday dips are common, surprises happen. Always watch the news.

7. If a coin with solid volume drops, stay calm. Be patient—most recover within days to weeks. If you have extra USDT, consider averaging down. If not, just hold. Time will reward your discipline.

In crypto, mindset is everything. Master that, and success will follow.