The crypto world is truly two extremes: some turn 100,000 into 50 million, while others get wiped out in a single market wave. My friend is the former; he entered the market years ago with 100,000 yuan and now his assets have long surpassed a billion. He often tells me one thing — 99% of the market are retail investors. As long as you can control your emotions and not get reckless, treating it as a cash machine isn’t difficult.

Surviving in the crypto space isn’t about luck or some advanced technique; frankly, it’s one word: patience. Keep a steady mindset, have the right strategy, and the market will give you opportunities. Today, I want to share five iron rules he’s summarized over the years, lessons learned through real money—

**First Rule: Don’t Chase the Wind When Entering**

Many newcomers want to go all-in right away, thinking catching the trend will make them rich. In reality, no one can make big money immediately upon entering. The safest approach is to test the waters in batches; don’t blindly follow the crowd. Start with small amounts to explore, get familiar, then add more. This reduces psychological pressure and prevents reckless moves.

**Second Rule: The Most Profitable During Sideways Markets**

Many fear sideways trading, thinking no trend means no profit. Actually, on the contrary, sideways is when experts harvest the most. When prices oscillate at low levels and even make new lows, those willing to heavily buy the dip will laugh last. When prices repeatedly surge at high levels, cut your positions decisively—don’t be greedy. Remember support and resistance levels; money is easiest to make in choppy markets.

**Third Rule: Find the Rhythm in Volatility**

When a rally peaks, sell quickly — there’s no shame in that. When prices plunge, it’s an opportunity to buy. The key is to be patient during sideways movements; don’t act rashly. Wait until the market truly moves, then catch rebounds or buy the dips — that’s how you stay on the winning side.

**Fourth Rule: Think Contrarily When Timing Buys and Sells**

Avoid the crowd. When others are greedy, be cautious; when everyone is panicking, it’s a good time to pick up bargains. There’s also a rhythm to trading: buy on red (up) candles, sell on green (down) candles. If prices surge in the morning, consider exiting; if they fall sharply in the morning, it might be a good time to jump in — thinking contrarily can take you further.

**Fifth Rule: Risk Management Determines Life or Death**

Even in seemingly calm markets, big waves are lurking. Don’t go all-in; building positions gradually helps protect your principal if you get caught in a trap. Plan your stop-loss and take-profit levels in advance. Take profits when you can, set stop-losses when needed, and stay alert at all times — this is the secret to longevity.

These rules seem simple, but they are lessons taught by real market conditions. Learn to stay calm, learn to wait — opportunities in the crypto world are always there, it’s just a matter of whether you have the patience to seize them.