10 Years Navigating the Crypto Market: How I Survived Using a "Foolish" Approach

Looking back at today’s market, I suddenly remember my first purchase of Bitcoin over ten years ago. At that time, I knew almost nothing, only found it new and interesting, so I invested a small amount to “try my luck.” Unexpectedly, that naive decision led me through a decade of ups and downs in the crypto market. If asked why I am still alive today, my account has gradually grown and finally reached eight figures, the honest answer is: not because I am too smart, but because I have paid enough tuition and remember very well the painful losses. 👉 Below are principles that seem simple, but each line was exchanged for real money. If you can avoid them earlier than I did, you will have moved much faster. Step One: Don’t Fish in a Pond – Only Choose Assets with “Vitality” I have seen many people hold tightly to “half-dead” coins, hoping one day they will suddenly surge. The result usually wastes only two things: time and capital. My principle is very clear: 👉 Coins with no liquidity, no volatility, no flow of money → skip immediately. So what is an asset with “activity”? Frequently appearing near top gainers Having stable trading volume Attracting attention from capital, not just “dead” on the price chart I prioritize larger timeframes, especially the monthly chart. Until a big trend forms, I prefer to stay out rather than get caught in short-term fluctuations. Many people stare at the 5-minute, 15-minute charts every day, ultimately picking up a sesame seed but losing the melon. Out of tens of thousands of cryptocurrencies on the market, most will disappear over time. If a project has no real application, no active community, no genuine flow of money, then going to zero is only a matter of sooner or later. Step Two: Moving Averages Are a Mirror of the Monster – Simple but Effective Tool I am not a fan of complicated indicators. Over the years, I realized that the (MA) moving average is the most useful. I almost never trade ultra-short-term. My focus is on the MA 60–70 days: Price adjusts to this zone Trading volume increases → Only then do I consider participating. The reason is very simple: MA reflects the average cost basis of the market. Price above MA: most participants are in profit Price below MA: most are in loss My trading rule is extremely strict: Hold the position when the price stays above MA Confirm break of MA → exit immediately, no negotiation Just this discipline has helped me avoid many deep correction cycles. Many people try to “optimize” with a few more indicators, but end up slow to exit at the most critical market moments. Step Three: Don’t Try to Eat the Whole Fish – Have a Profit-Taking Strategy Selling at the peak is a divine act, not a trader’s. I never expect to sell at the absolute high. My approach is: When the price reaches a certain level → take partial profit Recover capital, reduce risk Let the rest be decided by the market This method offers two big benefits: It locks in real profits Much more comfortable psychologically when the market fluctuates Many people turn large gains into heavy losses just because they chase the “last coin.” In trend trading, the peak is only confirmed after it has formed, so trying to predict the top often leads to mistakes. Preserving existing profits is even more important than earning new ones. Step Four: Recognize Mistakes Quickly, Live Longer – Break the Position and Move On This is the hardest principle, but also the most important. As soon as the support zone or main structure is broken, I exit immediately, no further analysis, no hope, no praying. Big losses rarely come from bad analysis, but from not admitting mistakes in time. Stop-loss is not to annoy you, but to: Preserve capital Maintain account size Keep the “spirit” to continue surviving in the market I train myself to have a reflex: hit the stop-loss point → execute immediately. No more thinking, because overthinking will lead to finding reasons to delay. Surviving is Winning All the above methods sound very simple. The difficulty is not in understanding, but in having enough discipline to do it every day. The crypto market is extremely volatile. The more complicated your method, the easier you lose control. Long-term investors with steady account growth are often not the most frequent traders, but those who: Maintain discipline Be patient enough Dare to cut losses when wrong In this market, survival beats most players. We do not pursue overnight wealth, but sustainable growth. Money does not rush in, and the more impatient you are, the easier you become “liquidity” for others. Invest rationally, within your financial capacity. I hope these experiences help you avoid unnecessary detours. 📌 Remember: Learning is your most valuable asset in the crypto market.