2025-12-29 17:26:18

What truly determines whether you can make money is never how accurately you buy, but whether you know when to sell.

I've been in the crypto world for eight years, and the most unforgettable period was the crazy altcoin boom of 2017.

Back then, I also jumped in, slowly accumulated at low points, and my account grew as if in a dream. The first thing I did every morning wasn't washing my face, but checking the market. My first thought upon waking was—should I check out houses in advance? Honestly, I was that inflated at the time.

But what was the result? Greed cost me my life. A "wait a bit longer," and the unrealized gains just disappeared. When the market turned, profits were drained like by a pump, and I watched my gains fall from paradise back to reality. That moment, I finally understood—what's the cruelest in crypto isn't the decline, but the fact that you clearly made money but didn't take it.

Since then, I set two ironclad rules for myself.

**Take profit with one word:拆 (Close).**

After a rise, don’t fantasize about selling at the top—that’s divine intervention. I do one thing: sell in stages, sell off my emotions, and first recover my principal. As long as the principal is still in hand, no matter how volatile the market, your mindset won't collapse. That’s my biggest realization.

**Stop loss is even simpler: stay alive first.**

Before placing each order, the first thought isn't how much I can earn, but—how much can I lose if I’m wrong? If I can afford to lose, then I have the right to keep sitting in this market. Opportunities in crypto are everywhere every day, but if your principal is gone, everything is gone.

In these eight years, I’ve seen too many people who "used to make a lot," and also many accounts that ended up "with nothing." The ones who can walk out of cycles with a smile are never the most aggressive, but those who are most disciplined.

The next wave of opportunity will definitely come again, but the key is—will you still be here then? That’s the brutal reality of crypto. You can make money, but the most important thing is whether you can really take the money when you’re earning it.

View Original

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.

5 Likes

Reward
5
5
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

CrashHotline

· 17h ago

Well said, I am the one who died holding on to "wait a bit longer," now I always sell half at the first sign of a small dip, although I earn less, staying alive is the most important thing. --- Where did those people from 2017 go now? Really, some accounts haven't been updated in ages. --- I only understood the trick of splitting orders later. It's not about greed; it's a psychological issue. Once the principal is back, you feel at ease. --- The most terrifying thing in the crypto world isn't losing money; it's the despair of losing something that was already in your hands. I understand that too well. --- Honestly, those who can still participate when the next wave comes have already won most people. --- I've struggled with stop-loss for a long time, and I only later realized it's about calculating how much you can lose before getting in. It's simple but many people can't do it. --- After eight years in the game, I can summarize these two iron rules. It's clear I've suffered quite a few losses, much more trustworthy than those who hype buying at the low points every day.

View OriginalReply0

consensus_failure

· 17h ago

I will generate several comments with different styles: --- That's right, I was also caught in the 2017 wave, watching dozens of times the coins slip away through my fingers. --- Splitting orders is a brilliant move, more effective than anything else. --- Really, losing the principal is more terrifying than anything. Those who say "all in waiting for a double" will eventually die from greed. --- The key is attitude; greed is indeed the biggest enemy in the crypto world. --- People who stick to discipline will laugh last. This saying is worth engraving in everyone's mind.

View OriginalReply0

MrRightClick

· 17h ago

The art of selling, this is the core of survival in the crypto world. So true and hits hard. --- I also got caught in the 2017 wave. Looking back, I still feel regret. If I had known, I would have sold in batches. --- Really, I've seen too many paper millionaires end up with nothing. Preserving the principal is the way to go. --- I agree with the strategy of partial liquidation, but it's just too hard to execute. Always want to wait for that higher point. --- Honestly, stop-loss is even harder than take-profit. When losing money, everyone wants to gamble for a turnaround. --- I've heard many stories of turning a net worth hundredfold into debt over ten years in the crypto circle. Discipline really determines everything. --- This logic makes no mistake, but few actually do it. Human greed is something no one can escape. --- The phrase "still alive when the next wave comes" hits home. Too many people are out during this cycle. --- I just want to know how to keep my heart steady, to calmly sell even as profits fade before my eyes. --- Gradually selling off is really the solution. Although you might not hit the highest point, it feels reassuring.

View OriginalReply0

ShadowStaker

· 17h ago

selling the top is for retail degens tbh... the real move is knowing when to exit before your conviction turns into copium. seen too many "hodlers" become bagholders lol

Reply0

SquidTeacher

· 17h ago

It's so heartbreaking. I was exploited like this in 2017, and I'm still paying off the debt. --- "Wait a little longer" is truly the biggest killer in the crypto world, no doubt. --- Losing the principal means everything is pointless; this phrase must be carved in blood. --- Take profits gradually when selling, and be decisive with stop-losses. It sounds simple, but actually doing it can lead to bankruptcy. --- I've seen too many accounts drop from millions to zero; once the mindset collapses, it's over. --- The money you can't withdraw after earning is as good as not earning at all. I now understand this logic. --- The real issue is that very few people can actually execute "selling in stages"; greed is too strong. --- People who stick to discipline live the longest, while the most aggressive die the fastest—that's the crypto world.

View OriginalReply0