From 50,000 capital to financial freedom, I have been crawling in the crypto world for a full 9 years, experiencing three rounds of bull and bear markets. I've fallen, lost, and despaired, but the path that finally worked out is actually simple to the point of being brutal: buy in a bear market, sell in a bull market.
Behind this are the 8 survival iron rules I accumulated by stepping into every pitfall.
Iron Rule 1: Cut Losses When Wrong, Admitting Mistakes is Not Shameful. Who hasn't lost? It's normal to lose three or five trades in a row; the key is not to let the emotions from the previous trade drag down the next one. Cut losses when you lose, admit mistakes when you're wrong; no one in the crypto circle can be 100% correct, but those who stubbornly hold on won't last long.
Iron Rule 2: Survival First. What you lack is never opportunity, but patience. Wait until you are sure before taking action; one strike must yield results; if unsure, hold your bullets tight; remaining still is the hardest discipline. Remember: survive, and you will have the right to wait for the next wave of market.
Iron Rule 3: Shape, Indicators, and Cycle Combined. Before opening a position, ask yourself: Is the shape correct? Did the indicators give a signal? Do the cycles resonate? The more conditions you meet, the higher your chances of success. Most of our time is not spent trading but waiting for the 'everything is ready' opportunity; those without patience have long been eliminated by the market.
Iron Rule 4: Directly Give Up Hesitant Trades. If a trade keeps you staring at the screen, don’t touch it! You are here to make money, not to gamble on luck. Only trades that fully meet your trading model are worth pressing the open position button.
Iron Rule 5: Trade with a System, Don't Trust Your Feelings. No more trading on 'gut feelings.' Real traders rely on cold systems: when to enter, when to exit, how much position to take - all according to the rules. Emotional trading is the culprit of chasing highs and cutting losses; rationally executing strategies ensures steady progress.
Iron Rule 6: Never Add Positions When Losing. Adding positions can only be done in favorable conditions - slowly push during profitable times and let profits run; but adding positions while losing is like stabbing your account with a knife. The more you add, the more you lose; in the end, you will only blow up at the bottom.
Iron Rule 7: Don't Stare at the Screen. The more you stare at the market, the more anxious you become; the more anxious, the more chaotic: you may prematurely take profits on positions you should hold, and stubbornly hold onto positions that should be cut. Watching K-lines is not as good as focusing on strategy; executing the rules properly is 10 times more reliable than staring blankly at the screen.
Iron Rule 8: Trading is Not Everything in Life. Those who let their emotions be driven by the market are like hands gripping sand - the harder you squeeze, the faster it slips away. Don’t fantasize about becoming rich overnight; money in the crypto market is endless to earn but can be lost completely. Treat trading as a side job; when your mindset is stable, profits will flow in slowly like water. The era of getting rich overnight has long passed; those who can keep living and steadily making money rely on systems, rhythms, and a clear mind. It took me 9 years to fully understand these 8 iron rules; today I share them with you - if you understand, please like and save it; look back at it when you lose next time.
