After years of navigating this market, the biggest gain isn't getting rich overnight, but surviving. Time is our strongest chip; don't let the illusion of quick wealth hijack your rationality.

Looking back on my investment experience, from initially chasing gains and selling off to now adopting a relatively rational strategy, I’ve noticed a pattern: the more complex the theory, the easier it is to fail. The simplest methods are often the ones that truly help you survive. Today, I want to share a few practical insights I’ve discovered.

**Dollar-cost averaging is the most effective tool for retail investors**

I've seen too many people go all-in right at the start, only to get trapped at a high point. My current strategy is very simple: invest a fixed amount every month, regardless of market ups and downs, and stick to it.

This isn’t passive; it’s proactive. No one can predict short-term fluctuations precisely, but the long-term direction of assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum is clear. The beauty of dollar-cost averaging is that it automatically smooths your costs — during bear markets, you accumulate more units; during bull markets, your average cost remains relatively low, stabilizing your final holding cost within a reasonable range.

**Asset allocation must have a bottom line**

My allocation logic is to put over 70% into Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are my bedrock holdings. The remaining funds are used to explore smaller coins with potential, but no single project should exceed 5% of the total funds.

Why this distribution? Mainstream coins are like real estate in city centers — highly liquid and relatively stable; small coins are like new development projects in the suburbs — they might double in value, but could also go to zero. Over the years, I’ve seen too many stories of heavy holdings in altcoins ending in total loss. Instead of chasing a quick turnaround, it’s better to build a foundation that can sustain continuous growth.