## **My 8 Years with Binance: A Long Adventure in the Crypto World**
That summer eight years ago, I first heard of Bitcoin. At that time, it was still a mysterious digital concept, only circulating in geek forums and niche communities. And Binance had just been founded, not yet becoming the crypto empire it is today. Who would have thought that this then-unknown trading platform would accompany me through eight years, witnessing my growth from a naive novice to a long-term observer in the crypto world.
### **First Encounter: 2017, The Wild Bull Market and FOMO**
In 2017, cryptocurrencies experienced the first global frenzy. ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings) were all the rage, and Bitcoin's price skyrocketed from $1,000 to nearly $20,000. At that time, driven by curiosity and greed, I registered on Binance based on a friend's recommendation.
I vividly remember the anxiety of buying BNB (Binance Coin) for the first time — it was only a few dollars, and I wasn't even sure if the platform was reliable. But soon, Binance's simple interface and smooth trading experience eased my concerns. That year, the market surged madly, and everyone felt like a genius. It wasn't until the winter of 2018 arrived, and Bitcoin plummeted 80%, that I truly understood: there are no eternal myths in the crypto market, only eternal volatility.
### **Growth: Cultivation in a Bear Market**
From 2018 to 2020, the long bear market drove many away, but I chose to stay. Binance continuously evolved during this period: launching futures trading, introducing Launchpad (a new coin issuance platform), and establishing Binance Smart Chain (BSC). I also shifted from blind trading to systematic learning — studying technical analysis, focusing on macroeconomics, and understanding the true value of blockchain.
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global market crash, and Bitcoin halved in one day. My account shrank instantly, but this time, I didn't panic sell. Because the market data and research reports provided by Binance made me realize: true opportunities often arise from extreme fear. Sure enough, a few months later, DeFi (Decentralized Finance) exploded, and the market welcomed a new wave of prosperity.
### **Maturity: From Speculator to Long-Term Thinker**
In 2021, Bitcoin broke through $60,000, and concepts like NFTs and the metaverse swept the globe. Binance had become an industry giant, and I was no longer the novice chasing the market. I began to focus on long-term trends:
- **Staking and Passive Income**: Earn interest on BNB and other tokens through Binance, allowing assets to grow even in a bear market.
- **Ecosystem Layout**: Participate in Binance Launchpool, research new projects, no longer blindly speculate, but seek truly valuable innovations.
- **Enhanced Security Awareness**: Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication), learn cold storage, and ensure asset security — this is one of the most valuable lessons of the past eight years.
### **The Future: A New Chapter in the Crypto World**
Eight years have passed, and Binance has weathered regulatory storms, industry competition, and market fluctuations, yet it remains the core hub of the crypto world. And I, too, have transformed from a speculator into a more rational participant.
What these eight years taught me is not just trading skills, but a way of thinking:
- **Market Cycles are Eternal** — Bull and bear markets alternate, only the patient can laugh last.
- **Technology Changes Finance** — Blockchain is not a fleeting trend but the infrastructure of future finance.
- **Risk and Opportunity Coexist** — The crypto world is full of opportunities, but it also requires respect for the market.
Today, with the approval of Bitcoin ETFs and institutional funds pouring in, the industry is moving towards the mainstream. I don't know what the next eight years will be like, but I believe that as long as Binance continues to evolve, I will remain in this crypto world, continuing this long adventure.