I never imagined that in just a few short years, digital currency would become a key that completely turned the gears of my life.
On that ordinary afternoon in 2017, I took 1000 yuan and bought my first Bitcoin like I was buying a lottery ticket. At that time, it was still hovering in the thousands, and I didn't even expect this string of code to grow wings – it was just spare money looking for something new to do. But fate has a way of surprising us; within a few months, Bitcoin skyrocketed like a rocket, and the numbers in my account jumped from four digits to five digits, the bouncing zeros making my head spin.
Having tasted success, I dove headfirst into the ocean of blockchain. I read white papers until 3 a.m., honed my eyes against K-line charts, chased Ethereum's smart contracts to Litecoin's algorithm innovations, and even nervously participated in private placements of several early projects. Those days, coffee filled my stomach, but it couldn't extinguish the light in my eyes.
The bull market of 2018 came unexpectedly, and the entire crypto world resembled boiling lava. My assets swelled along with the tides, watching my account balance refresh daily, decisively hitting the cash-out button – exchanging a string of numbers for the keys to my first apartment in the city center. Standing in the empty, bare-walled room, my fingertips brushed against the cold wall, and I suddenly understood: some waves of the era can indeed carry ordinary people ashore.
But the crypto world is never a gentle place. The bear market of 2019 arrived like a sudden snowstorm, causing the numbers in my account to avalanche downwards. I spent night after night staring at the plummeting charts, with cigarette butts piling up in the ashtray, yet I didn't dare hit the clear-out button. I knew that the true test isn’t about charging forward during good times, but about holding firm during the cold winter. I gritted my teeth and got through dozens of financial history books, breaking down technical analysis into parts and reassembling them, firmly believing that this new seed of blockchain would eventually break through the frozen ground.
The turning point came in 2020 when the spring breeze of DeFi swept through the crypto world. While others hesitated whether 'decentralized finance' was just a gimmick, I was already sitting in a café with my laptop, studying the models of liquidity mining and calculating the risk-reward ratio of staking. Those nights spent immersed in code and data ultimately transformed into substantial returns in my account – numbers don’t lie, and opportunities always favor the prepared.
Now that I have achieved financial freedom, I still habitually read through dozens of industry reports every day. In the world of cryptocurrency, a single day without learning could mean falling behind, like riding a wild horse on the edge of a cliff; a moment of distraction could lead to a plunge into the abyss.
Uncle An's hard-won experiences are worth their weight in gold:
Learning is a bulletproof vest: Entering the field without understanding blockchain principles is like stumbling blindfolded into a minefield. Missing any aspect of technical logic, market cycles, or project white papers could lead to pitfalls.
Rationality is the compass: Don't be blinded by the 'myths of wealth'; first weigh how much loss you can endure. Only using spare money to invest is called investing; putting all your possessions on the line is gambling.
Diversification is the life raft: Put eggs in different baskets, and check if the baskets are sturdy enough. Establish a foundation with mainstream coins, and accentuate with potential coins; never go all-in on one project.
Long-term is the touchstone: Short-term fluctuations are like waves, intimidating to watch but unable to capsize a big ship. Quality assets are like aged wine; the longer they sit, the better they become, provided you choose the right cellar.
Calmness is the steering wheel: Don't chase during a surge, and don't panic during a drop. The K-line chart hides human greed and fear; only those who can maintain their composure will laugh last.
The crypto space has never lacked legends of overnight wealth, but most people only see the brilliance of fireworks without realizing how much blood and tears burn beneath. Every bit of profit here is a gamble between awareness, discipline, and courage.
I am Uncle An, having experienced three cycles of bull and bear markets, struggling in the stock market and cryptocurrency for over a decade. I've seen too many people take off on the wind, and even more who fell to pieces. Starting tomorrow, I will break down several classic coins that have traversed bull and bear markets, teaching you how to see through the essence of a project from its white paper. Hit follow, and don't let opportunities slip away in the information flow – after all, wealth always belongs to those who plan ahead.
