In the crypto circle, after years of crawling and fighting, I’ve observed an interesting phenomenon—some people consistently profit, while others frequently fall into traps. What’s the difference? It’s often not about technical skills or information gaps, but about the simplest and "dumbest" methods. Today I’ll share some painful lessons learned, purely personal opinions, for your reference.

**Protect your principal and wait for opportunities**

Chasing gains and selling losses is the first ironclad rule. When the market rises, people become impatient. But the reality is, rapid surges often hide traps, while sharp declines can be opportunities. My approach is exactly the opposite—when others are screaming, I build positions gradually. Remember when BTC dropped below 30,000? I invested a little each week, averaging down, and subsequent rebounds turned into stable profits.

Full position is a form of self-punishment. True experts never go all-in; instead, they always keep about 30% cash reserves. When prices fall, you have bullets to buy cheap; when prices rise, you won’t regret missing out. This seemingly basic operation can make you more comfortable when the market turns.

Don’t get emotionally attached to a single coin. For example, if you’re bullish on ETH, but its price is affected by multiple factors, why put all your chips on one? Diversify into mainstream coins like BTC, ETH, SOL—when one isn’t performing well, others might shine, naturally reducing risk.

**Trading rhythm also matters**

Most of the time in crypto, the market is consolidating sideways. Frequent trading during this period is just paying unnecessary fees to exchanges. My habit is to observe patiently, waiting for clear signals on the daily chart—such as breaking above resistance or falling below support—before taking action. Reducing ineffective trades is a way to protect your principal.

Honestly, patience often works better than technical skills. The market is always there, opportunities will always come—what matters is whether you have the ability to wait and seize them.