In the cryptocurrency market, the hardest part has never been choosing the right coin, but maintaining discipline in the face of greed and fear. I have been in this market long enough to witness countless people come and go, accounts grow rapidly and then vanish in the blink of an eye. And a very “counterintuitive” truth gradually emerges: those who make sustainable money are not necessarily the smartest, but the most patient.
I used to be a buy-and-chase seller, panic-selling, chasing news waves and hoping to “quickly profit.” The price I paid was a series of consecutive losses. Until I realized: crypto is a game that goes against human instincts. Those who cannot control their emotions will become liquidity for the few remaining.
👉 Below are the core principles that help me survive and generate stable profits through both bull and bear markets.
Don’t Chase Small Profits, Only Then Can You Catch Big Gains
Many people get stuck in a familiar cycle: taking quick profits at 5–10%, but when they lose, they try to hold on, hoping “it will come back.”
The result is small gains – big losses, and the account cannot grow long-term.
The solution lies in two simple but difficult actions:
Let profits run when you are rightCut losses quickly when you are wrong
I personally often use trailing stops for positions with a good trend, avoiding being shaken out by short-term volatility. Conversely, when I realize my judgment is wrong, I accept to cut small losses immediately. In crypto, capital preservation is more important than being right every time.
Focus Only on Large Coins, Avoid Becoming “Ammo”
The most common mistake among newcomers is being attracted to small coins, new coins, trending coins, with dreams of x10, x20. I’ve tried and realized: risk always comes before profit.
Currently, my strategy is very clear:
Focus only on large-cap, high-liquidity coinsPrioritize Bitcoin, Ethereum, and some assets that have survived multiple cycles
These coins have real ecosystems, genuine demand, and market recognition. Volatility may be slower, but the probability of survival is much higher.
New coins, meme coins can surge in the short term, but when the flow of money withdraws, prices can crash very quickly. I don’t want my account to depend on luck.
Dollar-Cost Averaging, Ignore Price Pressure
For most retail investors, DCA (dollar-cost averaging) is the simplest yet most effective strategy.
Instead of trying to predict the bottom or top, you:
Set a fixed amount weekly or monthlyBuy Bitcoin or Ethereum regularlyIgnore short-term price movements
This strategy helps to:
Average out the costReduce psychological stressAvoid emotional decisions
I personally maintain the habit: whenever I have income, I allocate a portion to buy BTC and ETH, regardless of whether the market is green or red. Time is the greatest ally of this strategy.
Only Increase Positions When the Trend Is Clear
I don’t try to catch the bottom. In reality, no one can do that consistently.
Instead, I accept to buy a bit higher when:
The trend has already formedThe market confirms the directionRisk decreases
Buying in a clear uptrend is much safer than “guessing” in uncertain phases. I’m willing to miss the early part, in exchange for certainty.
Take Partial Profits, Protect Your Gains
Greed often causes people to hold on too long. When the market reverses, accumulated profits can evaporate very quickly.
My principle:
Prices rise in waves → sell in partsPrioritize recovering capitalRemaining position is left for the market to decide
This approach helps me:
Always have real profits in handReduce psychological pressureAvoid a sudden crash wiping out all gains
Capital Management Is the Key to Survival
In crypto, not getting wiped out is already a win.
I always adhere to:
Risk per trade does not exceed a small percentage of total capitalConsecutive losses reaching a certain threshold mean stopping tradingNever go all-inAlways enter positions in parts
Good capital management gives you the right to correct mistakes. Poor management can end the game with just one mistake.
Conclusion: The Market Isn’t Short of Famous People, It’s Short of Those Who Survive
Crypto doesn’t reward the impatient. It rewards those who:
Have a clear planKnow how to waitKnow when to stopAnd most importantly: avoid big mistakes
Sustainable wealth doesn’t come from a single miraculous trade, but from hundreds of small, correct decisions repeated over time.
Remember: Survive first – profits will follow.
Keep your hands steady, your mind calm, and whether in a bull or bear market, you’ll still be in the game. Learning and discipline are your greatest assets in this market.
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
Hold Your Hand, Steady Your Heart – Live Well Through Every Crypto Market Cycle
In the cryptocurrency market, the hardest part has never been choosing the right coin, but maintaining discipline in the face of greed and fear. I have been in this market long enough to witness countless people come and go, accounts grow rapidly and then vanish in the blink of an eye. And a very “counterintuitive” truth gradually emerges: those who make sustainable money are not necessarily the smartest, but the most patient. I used to be a buy-and-chase seller, panic-selling, chasing news waves and hoping to “quickly profit.” The price I paid was a series of consecutive losses. Until I realized: crypto is a game that goes against human instincts. Those who cannot control their emotions will become liquidity for the few remaining. 👉 Below are the core principles that help me survive and generate stable profits through both bull and bear markets.