The Essence of Contract Trading: Surviving is the Longest Road Forward

New Discipline and Principles Are the Most Valuable Assets in Crypto Looking at the green and red candles dancing on the screen, my heart no longer beats erratically like in the early days of entering the market. When I first started trading, I was truly a “adrenaline addict”: whenever the price moved, I placed an order; when there was a pump, I chased; when there was a dump, I panicked and cut. I spent the whole day staring at charts, afraid of missing the chance to change my life. Ten years have passed, and I have witnessed many “trading geniuses” shine brightly and then quickly disappear. Conversely, those who seem slow, quiet, but extremely disciplined are the ones who accumulate wealth steadily. Today, I don’t share tips for quick riches, but how to survive in this market – because only by surviving can you have a chance to reach the end of the road. Capital Management: Never Put All Your Cards on the Table “Enter a trade with half your hand, always leave an escape route” – this is a lesson I had to pay a lot of money to learn. In the beginning, I repeatedly blew up my account because I entered trades too heavily. Once in 2018, I correctly predicted Bitcoin’s trend, but because I used too high leverage, a small rebound was enough to wipe out my account. Ironically, right after I blew up, the price moved exactly as I predicted. Since then, I realized one thing: predicting the trend correctly is very important, but even more important is to survive long enough to enjoy the rewards. Currently, I only risk a maximum of 5–10% of my total capital per trade. No matter how good the setup is, no exceptions. Not because I’m afraid, but because I want to ensure that if I lose several consecutive trades, I still have capital to continue playing. Opportunities in the market always exist, but only for those who can stay at the table. Emotional Control: The Biggest Enemy Is Yourself “Lose one coin twice, take a break” – this is the strictest rule in my trading system. When you enter the same coin and lose two consecutive trades, the problem is usually not technical but psychological. It could be FOMO, overconfidence, or the gambler’s guilt. In that state, the best way is not to switch to another coin, but to close the position and take a break. Trading is essentially a psychological battle. When you feel your heart pounding, hands sweating, shoulders tensing – that’s a warning sign: emotions are steering the wheel instead of reason. Stop-Loss: Always Leave an Exit Path “No stop-loss, no trade” – this is the golden rule. Many traders dislike setting stop-losses because they believe “the price will come back.” Yes, most of the time, the price will rebound, but just one time it doesn’t, and you could lose your entire account. Stop-loss is not admitting failure; it’s limiting the cost of a mistake. My rule is: each loss should not exceed 5% of total capital. Thus, even if I lose five consecutive trades, I still have over 70% of my account to start over. More importantly, after each stop-loss, I don’t rush into a new trade but pause to review: Why did I enter? Where was I wrong? How can I improve? Thanks to this, each stop-loss is no longer a money loss but a tuition fee for growth. Market Rhythm: Knowing When to Stay Out Is a Master Skill “The market is unpredictable, so don’t trade” – this is the standard that separates amateur traders from professional traders. The market is not always worth putting money into. When the price structure is chaotic, liquidity is low, and the flow of funds is weak, the best thing you can do is… stand aside and observe. Many people treat trading as a daily job; not trading feels like missing out. But in reality, holding cash is also a position – holding opportunities. In my trading career, the biggest gains often come after patiently waiting on the sidelines. 90% of market movements are noise. True opportunities occur only once or twice a week. Resisting the urge to act impulsively is the most important trait of a trader. Independent Thinking: Break Free from the Herd Effect “Want to follow others, best not to trade” – this is a reminder I give myself and newcomers. Crypto is full of “experts,” “tipsters,” “prophets.” Every day, social media is flooded with stories of overnight riches. Newcomers are easily trapped into following the crowd without thinking. I once tried following others’ tips and realized that: the probability of winning is no better than flipping a coin. The only way to break free from that cycle is to build your own trading system. Whether you use technical analysis, fundamental analysis, or on-chain data, what matters is that the system suits your personality and risk appetite. Only when you understand and believe in your system can you stay calm during big waves. Order Review Art: The Catalyst of Maturity “Review must clarify three things: why you entered, why you exited, and what you regret” – this is a habit I’ve maintained for over ten years. Many traders like to predict the market but are lazy to review themselves. Meanwhile, the market is unpredictable, but we can improve ourselves every day. My trading journal always clearly records: Reason for enteringPsychological state at entryExecution plan adherencePoints for improvement Especially for losing trades, I document twice as carefully because they contain the most lessons. Through continuous review, I understand my strengths and weaknesses and gradually refine my trading system. Survival Is the True Victory Crypto doesn’t lack smart people; it lacks those with the resilience to go the distance. In a 24/7 market, the most important thing is not how much you make in one trade, but whether you can make consistent profits over many years. Remember Warren Buffett’s words: Rule number one: Don’t lose money.Rule number two: Never forget rule number one. In this tempting and risky market, only by surviving can you have the chance to smile at the finish line. Survive first – wealth will follow.