Eight years of experience. I went from a factory line worker in the south to where I am today. My monthly salary back then was only 3,000 yuan, living in a six-person dormitory, and a 12-yuan box meal with an egg could take half a day’s earnings. After saving for more than half a year, I entered the crypto world with 8,000 yuan — and I was immediately overwhelmed.

Now I’ve settled in Shanghai, and the figures in my account have long surpassed what I once imagined. But this isn’t luck; it’s the result of four survival rules I’ve learned after being beaten down by the market four times, trading real money for real lessons. Today I’ll share these practical tips so that even beginners can understand at a glance.

**Rule 1: Don’t panic over "slow dips" after rapid rises; "flash crashes" are signals to escape**

The biggest loss came from a series of trades with SOL. After SOL rose 20%, it started to decline gradually. Seeing the situation was off, I panicked and sold everything — then it surged another 50%. I jumped up from my seat. Later, there was another time when SOL skyrocketed 30% in half an hour, followed by a flash crash. I sold immediately without hesitation, avoiding a subsequent 40% plunge.

Here’s a key distinction: a "slow dip" after a rapid rise is usually market manipulation to shake out retail investors. But if there’s a sudden "flash crash" after a rapid increase, it’s likely that funds are fleeing en masse. Don’t be shaken out by fluctuations, but don’t hesitate when you see a flash crash — act quickly.

**Rule 2: No volume during sideways trading at high levels is a danger signal**

ETH once traded sideways at high levels for an entire week, with volume decreasing day by day. I was greedy, thinking "just hold on a little longer," but in the end, it halved in a week, losing me 30,000 yuan. I later realized: low volume at high levels indicates big funds are quietly withdrawing, leaving only retail investors dreaming. At such times, instead of praying, it’s better to cut losses quickly.

**Rule 3: Don’t rush to bottom; wait for "shrinking volume sideways + volume spike with three consecutive red candles" signals**

After BNB fell 25%, it rebounded 10%. I thought the bottom was in and went all in, only to be trapped for half a year. The real reliable bottom isn’t just any rebound, but a period of shrinking volume sideways trading followed by a sudden surge in volume with three consecutive rising red candles. When this pattern appears, it’s the safe time to buy in.

Over the past four years, these rules have saved me countless times. The market always tests human nature. Understanding the logic behind the rises and falls allows you to survive longer.