Behind the market fluctuations, it's really about people's hearts.

Remember that joke at the beginning of 2024? It was everywhere: "In a bull market, you can smell Bitcoin's aroma even at the street corner; in a bear market, even breathing carries the stench of cutting losses." Ironically, I was that so-called "seasoned leek" who got hit hard by the market, with only $2,000 left in my account. But by 2025, I managed to bring my account back to $116,000 by following a few simple survival rules.

Today, I want to share some practical tips for surviving in this bloody arena over the years. The technical indicators? There are plenty online. What I want to talk about are the lessons I truly understood after repeated market lessons.

**First: Follow the trend, don’t try to be a hero**

When I first entered the market, I was very confident. I thought I had a unique eye, liked to bottom-fish and top-tick in strange places. But what happened? The market repeatedly told me—bro, you’re not the protagonist.

The market is like a rebellious river. You can sit in a small boat and go with the flow comfortably. But if you jump into the water and try to change the current? Haha, be prepared to be swept away in all directions. I once tried to trade against the trend. Once, twice, three times. Each time, my account was "teaching" me a lesson. Now I understand clearly—respect the market, it’s not just empty talk.

How to do this? Very simple. When a big coin like Bitcoin starts to move, don’t sit there worrying "it’s already up so much." Just ask yourself: Is the trend still there? If yes, follow. If not, wait. Don’t try to predict every turning point precisely—that’s just dreaming.

Legendary trader Peter Brandt once said that he spends his life seeking the opportunity to turn $1 into $4, rather than obsessing over whether the market will go up or down next. The secret of top traders is to act according to the price trend. It may sound like blind following, but in reality, it’s respecting the market’s true choice. Those still arguing "Is this a rebound or a reversal?" smart traders have already placed their orders based on the trend.

**Second: Taking profits is not shameful; greed is**

You might not believe it, but the most common tragedy in crypto markets is this: making $7, but insisting on waiting until $10. Result? Losing $3. Then, you’re ready to smash your head against the screen.

In the 2024 rally, I watched several friends’ holdings increase by 40% in just two weeks. They didn’t take profits. Their reason? "It’s just the beginning, it can still go up 50%." Ten days later, those coins fell back to their original price. Some even dropped below. I still remember their expressions.

Greed is essentially a fantasy about the future. Making a little, wanting more. In the highly volatile crypto market, this mindset is like a chronic poison. My current strategy is: when my holdings reach my target profit—say, 30%—I will take partial profits in stages. First, cut half of the gains to lock in some profits. The remaining position, I let it run.

The benefit of this approach is obvious. At worst, I lock in some gains. At best, the remaining position can continue to grow. But regardless, I feel at ease because the money I’ve made is real.

**Third: Risk management is more important than choosing coins**

This might be the most overlooked but also the most deadly.

Many people enter the market studying "which coin will rise." Few seriously consider "how much can I lose at most." It’s like driving on the highway, only thinking about hitting 200 km/h, never considering the braking distance.

In my journey from $2,000 back to $116,000, the key was: I strictly controlled the risk per trade. The basic rule is—never risk more than 5% of your total funds on a single trade. Even if you believe a coin will definitely go up, don’t do it. The market always finds new ways to punish overconfidence.

In that disastrous 2024 market, I survived because I kept every loss within an acceptable range. Yes, I might have lost hundreds or thousands of dollars in a single trade, but those who didn’t have strict risk controls could lose 50% of their account in one shot.

The charm of crypto is its high returns, but that comes with high risks. Those who last the longest and earn steadily all share one thing: they treat risk management as ten times more important than picking coins.

**In conclusion**

Market rises and falls are just surface phenomena. The real determinants of success or failure are the trader’s mindset and discipline. Greed can cause you to fail just when you’re close to success. Trading against the trend can turn your account red overnight. Without risk control awareness, you’re gambling with your own fate.

From $2,000 back to $116,000, I didn’t rely on any magical technical indicator or insider info. Just these three simple rules: follow the trend, take profits timely, and enforce strict risk management. If you’re currently getting beaten by the market, stay calm. Reassess your trading habits. The market is always there; no need to rush. The real earning opportunities are always waiting for those who are patient, disciplined, and respectful of the market.