Having navigated the crypto world for 8 years, from initial heavy losses to later doubling my gains, I’ve gained this experience through real money and bloodshed. The following 9 rules are lessons learned the hard way. Newcomers should study them carefully—they can help you avoid at least three years of detours.

**First, don’t chase trending coins.** In a bull market, the easiest trap to fall into is investing in highly popular coins. They surge aggressively and seem full of opportunity, but behind the scenes, it’s often the manipulators controlling the market. These coins can have large gains, but also sharp declines—one wrong move can wipe out your investment.

**Second, the tactics of copycat coins are complex.** First, they dump to scare off retail investors, then they pump to attract buyers, and finally, they unload all at once to harvest profits. To make money on these coins, you must stay calm, keep your position small, and be ready to cut losses at any time.

**Third, the big trend is your anchor.** Short-term price swings are unpredictable and can cause emotional turmoil. But if the overall trend is upward, holding mainstream coins is the right move. These coins have market consensus, and holding them long-term is usually safe.

**Fourth, low-profile coins often have the most potential.** Coins that aren’t hyped but have solid fundamentals are worth paying attention to. These “hidden black horses” are easy to overlook, but once they take off, they can explode in growth.

**Fifth, be cautious when entering new coins.** Most new tokens are just tools for quick profit for early investors; retail investors rushing in often get caught quickly. Wait until the coin’s price structure stabilizes before considering participation.

**Sixth, stabilize your mindset before trading.** Market fluctuations are unpredictable, but your strategy must remain steady. Set your plan first, then act—don’t let the market’s volatility control you.

**Seventh, violent rebounds are not signals to buy.** Short-term surges can tempt impulsive buying, but the true direction is determined by the long-term trend. Don’t get blinded by temporary price increases.

**Eighth, be alert to sudden pullbacks.** This may be a sign that manipulators are unloading. You need to judge whether it’s a shakeout or a genuine decline. Take profits when appropriate, and cut losses when necessary.

**Ninth, the second half of a bull market is crowded with dark horses.** Don’t only focus on hot coins that have already surged once. Coins that have been consolidating for a long time and have concentrated holdings are often the next wave’s initiators.

Finally, a word of advice: surviving in the crypto world is more important than making money. First, learn not to lose money, then consider making big gains.