In 2018, when I entered the crypto space, I was holding 1 million yuan in my hands, and my mind was full of fantasies of overnight wealth. So what happened? The first three years were a dead cycle of chasing hot trends, bottom fishing, and rebounds, and my account shrank to just over 200,000. Those days were really tough; I would stare at the K-line charts every night, feeling like the whole world had turned black. My family also suffered along with me, almost breaking apart.

But I gritted my teeth and pushed through — mainly because I wasn’t willing to give up so easily. Later, I gradually understood that the money made in the crypto world never relies on luck; it’s all about cognition and execution, learned step by step.

Now, my account has grown to 34 million. Looking back at the turning points over these years, it’s not about any “divine operation,” but about a few rules I stubbornly stuck to after each pitfall. These things might sound cliché when spoken out loud, but if used correctly, they can help you avoid five years of detours.

**Rule 1: Diversify to control risk; staying alive is more important than quick wealth**

In the early years, I especially liked going all-in on a single position, which could wipe out half of my principal in a big drop. Later, I changed to splitting my funds into 5 parts, each operated independently, and I would cut losses once a single position lost more than 10%. This way, even if I lost five times in a row, the total loss would only be 10%, leaving the account a chance to rebound. Volatility is normal in the crypto world; surviving is true skill.

**Rule 2: Follow the trend, don’t go against the momentum**

Rebounds during a downtrend look tempting, but they are actually traps. I once stubbornly held onto EOS during a bear market, only to be cut in half repeatedly, losing money no matter how I cut it. Later, I changed my strategy: only look for retracement opportunities in an uptrend, and if the price breaks below a key support level, I immediately exit. Trends are like friends; you need to follow the right direction. Going against the trend is like gambling with your life.

**Rule 3: Stay away from coins that surge wildly; don’t be the last bag-holder**

Altcoins that double tenfold in a short period are usually carefully laid traps by market manipulators. In 2017, I fell into the trap of chasing air coins and lost eight figures in a week. The feeling is still painful to recall. I later realized that behind every rapid surge, there’s inevitably a sharp drop, and the last to buy in are always retail investors.