The feeling of seeing profits but being unable to withdraw the money is the most uncomfortable experience in the crypto world.

Recently, fan Xiao Wang called me via voice message in the early hours, his voice trembling: "Big Brother, I’m screwed. After withdrawing 300,000 USDT, the bank directly showed 'Non-counter transaction suspended,' and the money is stuck inside without moving." He didn’t do anything illegal, just normal OTC trading, but ended up being entangled in a scammer’s fund chain.

This frustration is far worse than watching your account drop 50%. Market declines may gradually recover, but if withdrawals are frozen? That’s real blood loss. Over the years in the crypto space, my biggest realization is: making money is just the beginning; whether you can truly put the money into your pocket is the real test.

**Why does the money get "stuck"**

Many people think that as long as the exchange doesn’t run away, it’s safe. But the process of withdrawing from an exchange to a bank card is actually full of pitfalls.

First, the bank’s risk control system. Nowadays, major banks are very cautious about transactions involving crypto assets. As soon as they detect suspicious activity, they freeze the account without question.

Second, the dirty money problem in OTC trading. Some scammers wash money through OTC channels. If you happen to receive funds involved in a case, all accounts along the transaction chain get affected and frozen collectively. This is the most innocent victim.

There are also reasons on the exchange side: system maintenance, blockchain network congestion, account risk flags, failed identity verification, etc. All these can block your withdrawal.

So I always say: making money is the first half, but safe withdrawal is the real second half. Many people can make money, but those who can withdraw their funds safely are the true winners.

**My summarized iron rules**

After so many years of practical experience, I’ve set a few rules for myself and strictly follow them, never having suffered major issues:

1. Use dedicated cards only. The bank card used for withdrawals must be dedicated for that purpose. Don’t use one card for both withdrawal funds and other expenses. This minimizes the impact if it gets frozen.

2. Diversify withdrawals. Don’t withdraw all large sums at once. Split 300,000 into 3-5 transactions over several days. This greatly reduces the chance of triggering risk control.

3. Choose trustworthy trading partners. For OTC trades, always find reputable users with clear transaction histories. Don’t be tempted by cheap deals with strangers. Scammers’ money is the hardest to handle.