Contracts are like a double-edged sword; one moment you're counting money in paradise, the next you're falling into the abyss.

I will never forget the afternoon I first encountered contracts. Eight thousand dollars in hand, and in a moment of impulsiveness, I used 100x leverage. Fifteen minutes later, the market shook slightly, and half of my position was wiped out. Sitting in front of the screen at that time, my heart was pounding out of my chest, watching the red numbers flicker nonstop, and I was completely shattered.

It was then that I realized that liquidation is not an accident, but rather the first lesson every newcomer gets from the market — and a relatively gentle one at that.

Since then, I’ve never underestimated this market again. All those dreams of overnight riches were shattered. I no longer rely on my heartbeat to place orders, but on my brain. I gradually understood that contracts are not about betting on size, but about dancing on the edge of a knife, testing your ability to control risk.

I’ve seen too many traders who, after making some money, get carried away, thinking they are destined for greatness, only to be wiped out in a few days. Others lose so much they cry, staring at the screen all night without sleep, eventually consumed by their own anxiety. They all fail to realize one thing: truly skilled traders spend about 70% of their time waiting — observing with no position, and only when that 30% opportunity arrives do they dare to go all-in, capturing a clean profit.

Last year, I did this with SOL. I didn’t indulge in all kinds of complicated indicators; I just focused on Bollinger Bands. The narrowing band signaled gathering strength, and a breakout indicated the start of a move. I gradually built positions near the lower band, with stop-loss set at previous lows, and within three weeks, I multiplied my capital thirtyfold. It’s not that I can predict everything, but discipline helped me keep the rhythm.

Now, I stick to a few ironclad rules, unbreakable: never risk more than 2% of my capital on a single trade, no more than two trades per day, and once floating profit reaches 50%, I withdraw my principal immediately. It sounds rigid, but it’s precisely this rigidity that has kept me alive in this market until now.

The market is never short of people willing to rush in; what’s lacking are those who can survive. If you’re still driven by emotions and led by the market’s movements, it’s better to pause, take a deep breath. Before aiming to double your money, learn not to get liquidated. The abyss is right at your feet, but how you walk is already illuminated — I’ve lit the way for you.