Survive First, Opportunity Will Come Later

There was a time when I lost tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars overnight. Looking back on the journey so far, I realize that the most valuable thing in the crypto market is not how much you make on a trade, but how long you can survive. There was a moment when I sat in front of the screen, seeing my account only have 5,000 USDT left. Hands numb, mind blank. A few months of effort vanished in just a series of liquidations. At that moment, I felt like I was suddenly knocked down — no longer calm enough to place any more orders. But from that 5,000 USDT, I gradually increased my account to 50,000 USDT. This is not a fairy tale, nor luck. It’s the result of completely changing my mindset and trading approach. This article is not about “quick wealth secrets,” but about something more important: how to survive in this market. Trade Only What You Truly Understand In the early days of entering the market, I was like many others: jumping into any hot coin, believing opportunities are everywhere. The result was often buying at the top — selling at the bottom, with the account shrinking day by day. My first turning point was focusing only on assets I understood well. I chose ETH, not because it “will increase the most,” but because I understood it best. I spent a lot of time reviewing historical prices, wave structures, and the false breakout zones that frequently appear. When others panic, I stay calm enough to distinguish real opportunities from just traps. Every day, the market has new coins surging, and in chat groups, there’s always someone showing off profits. But remember: if the money doesn’t belong to you, missing out isn’t a big deal. Opportunities in crypto always come back, but your capital does not. Don’t Try to Predict the Market, Follow It In the past, I was obsessed with predicting the top — catching the bottom. Overlapping indicators, drawing patterns all over the screen. Later, I realized: even the project creators don’t know where the price will be tomorrow. My second change was abandoning the habit of chasing prices. I no longer jump in just because prices are rising. Instead, I identify support and resistance zones beforehand, and develop clear scenarios. When the market is in panic, I deploy funds gradually. When the market is overly euphoric, I step back and observe. I don’t try to make money on every wave. I wait for high-probability moments, like an experienced hunter: most of the time observing, only acting when truly necessary. From Gambling Psychology to Risk Management The most important change is not in technique, but in mindset. Previously, I saw trading as a gamble. Always dreaming of turning the tables overnight. The result was small profits taken early, losses held onto with hope, and ultimately heavy losses. When I started again with 5,000 USDT, I treated capital as life. Each trade risked no more than 3% of the account. Even after losing many consecutive trades, I still had the ability to continue trading. I no longer compare myself to those showing off profits hundreds of times larger. I focus only on my own trading system. In crypto, the real miracle is not short-term profits, but sustainable growth over time. Principles I Always Follow Position Management is the Key to Survival I never go all-in. No matter how good a trade looks, I never risk more than 30% of my capital. Always keep cash on hand to handle market volatility. Cut Losses – Take Profits with Discipline I set clear stop-loss levels, usually 3–5% from entry point. When hit, I exit immediately without hesitation. When in profit, I withdraw the principal, letting the profits run. Follow Bitcoin Trends Most altcoins are heavily influenced by Bitcoin. I always use BTC’s movements to gauge the overall market sentiment. Avoid Trading on Emotions Tired, stressed, or emotionally unstable — absolutely do not trade. I once lost all accumulated profits over months due to a reckless decision after a gathering. Conclusion The crypto market is not short of famous people, but it’s very short of those who last long. In a 24/7 open market, survival is more important than anything else. My journey from 5,000 USDT to 50,000 USDT taught me one thing: 90% of success comes from psychology and risk management, with technicals playing a small part. The market never pities gamblers, but it always rewards those with strategy and discipline. As long as you still have capital and a clear head, you still have a chance. The key is to change your mindset: from “making quick money” to “how to survive.” Opportunities always exist in the market, but only those who stay can seize them.