2026-01-18 08:32:57

I entered the market in 2018, witnessing Bitcoin soar from $3,000 to $60,000, and enduring the dark periods of LUNA's zeroing out and FTX's collapse. Today, I won't talk about complex technical analysis, but will share a few golden rules learned through blood, tears, and tuition—these are worth more than anything.

**Rule 1: Small positions for testing, absolutely avoid all-in**

The most classic way new traders lose money is by FOMOing into full positions when prices surge. But the crypto market has no absolute certainty; even the best projects can't withstand black swan events. My approach is very rigid:

Keep the initial position within 10%—test the waters first, confirm the trend, then gradually build the position. The kind of rapid 300% surge followed by a crash on new coins is the most deceptive. Early last year, I bought only 5% of an AI concept coin on the first day; after a week of a 40% pullback, I added more. As a result, those who heavily invested on the first day are now lying at the top.

**Rule 2: Sideways trading is not a waste of time, but the best window for positioning**

Many people get annoyed by sideways movements, but for me, that's the prime opportunity to make money. Low-level sideways consolidation—shrinking volume without new lows—often signals an imminent rebound. I particularly like this situation because big players are accumulating, while retail investors are panicking.

The most impressive example was ORDI, which traded in the $30 range for an entire month. When it finally broke out with volume, I followed on the dip at support levels and caught a doubled-up rally. The key difference is whether you can tolerate boredom and use patience to earn profits.

**Rule 3: When others panic, I buy**

Extreme emotions are contrarian indicators. When the community is exploding with frenzy and following the herd, it's usually close to the top. My habit is to reduce positions in stages during rapid rallies—when everyone is shouting "The bull market is here," that's actually when I run the fastest.

Conversely, when the market is in despair and even the retail investors give up, that's the perfect time for large-scale positioning. This isn't about showing off contrarian moves; it's the most straightforward truth of market psychology.

BTC-0.39%

LUNA-2.82%

ORDI-1.44%

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defi_detective

· 4h ago

Really? I was also in during the LUNA wave. It now feels like a dream. Wait, you said 10% testing the waters, but I remember you fully invested in a certain xxx coin last year. Consolidation can be frustrating, but I guess more people can't resist, haha. The phrase "others panic, I buy in" I think needs a prerequisite—having capital is essential. The ORDI wave was indeed awesome, but most people probably can't adopt your mindset. You're right, but no one can execute it. I'm the kind of person who endures the boredom of sideways trading until it explodes. The most expensive lesson learned through blood and tears—it's all tears when you talk about it.

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OptionWhisperer

· 4h ago

10% trial truly saved me many times; full positions have become a thing of the past --- The most torturous period was the sideways market, but I made the most comfortable double-ups relying on this --- When others are FOMOing, I've already sold two-thirds of my holdings, that's the difference between surviving and not --- From the LUNA wave, I learned that small positions are the chips to stay alive --- The most chaotic times in the community are often when you should escape; this rule never fails --- Look at those friends who went all-in on the first day... how are they doing now... Rest in peace --- Patience is truly more valuable than technical analysis; those who can endure sideways markets have all made profits --- The most common phrase I've heard is "I wish I had gone all-in early," but they never reflect on why they didn't go all-in --- People still buying during the big panic are now the ones laughing the most --- The 10% figure might have saved more retail accounts than Bitcoin itself

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OnchainSniper

· 4h ago

That's what they say, but the key is to withstand the psychological torment. The sideways trading is killing people.

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ForkInTheRoad

· 5h ago

Well said. I’m also using the 10% testing approach; those who go all-in tend to live much longer. --- Sideways trading can be frustrating but really profitable. The key is patience—not everyone can handle that level of boredom. --- When others are FOMOing, I should be running. That’s the most painful but also the most effective strategy. --- People who didn’t escape during that FTX wave are probably still crying now. Contrarian indicators really never fail. --- The lesson from the 10% position building probably cost a lot of tuition to realize. --- The ORDI move was indeed fierce. Patience is truly the final step to making money.

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digital_archaeologist

· 5h ago

Bro, what you said is right, it's just that those who can't understand will always chase the rise and sell the dip --- Consolidation really can wear you out, but every time it's just before the rebound, learned that --- I also suffered losses during that FTX wave, now I strictly adhere to these three ironclad rules --- It's really hard to run when others are crazy, you need to have strong psychological resilience --- Trying 10% is awesome, how many people lost everything with a single all-in --- Reading this article makes me think of last year’s guys shouting "hundredfold coins," wonder how they are now --- This last sentence hits hard, market psychology is indeed correct --- Back then, LUNA was directly socially dead, who still dares to hold a large position in a single project now

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UnruggableChad

· 5h ago

Really, don't go all-in on this blood and tears lesson. How many people have lost everything this way? The part about sideways trading was spot on. Those who couldn't resist have all become chopped vegetables. Having experienced those events from 2018 to now, it's truly not easy to speak so rationally.

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