Someone once asked me how to make their first profit in the crypto world. My usual answer is: don’t think about getting rich overnight, think about how to survive.

**Those who survive, eventually make money.**

A friend started her trading career with $2,000, and after 8 months, her account grew to $8,000. You might think, what's so special about that? The key is—she never got liquidated even once.

**Level One: Survive, rely on rules, not luck**

The three basic ironclad rules: never risk more than 30% of a single position, limit each loss to within 2% of the account, and only trade trend-following setups. Sounds restrictive? This restriction is exactly your bulletproof vest. Countless people in crypto have died, 99% because they ignored risk.

**Level Two: Wait for the right rhythm, only go all-in when the time is right**

There’s never a shortage of the next opportunity in crypto. Those who lose money from frequent trades almost always die in the few seconds of "rushing ahead." When she learned to sit out and wait, during the May market rally, her account easily broke $10,000—not because she earned more, but because she chose the right timing.

The best trading move is often "doing nothing."

**Level Three: Compound profits, amplify gains with discipline**

At this stage, funds should be split into two parts: the "safety fund" (the principal, never touched) and the "accelerator fund" (profits running). Protect the principal from loss, grow the profits with compound interest. She grew her account from $10,000 to $13,000, not by gambling, but by restraint in taking profits and cutting losses each time. Watching BTC, ETH, SOL fluctuations—act when needed, stop when necessary.

**Level Four: Cultivate mental strength, evolve from gambler to trader**

The final evolution happens in your mind. When facing losses, you no longer panic—because you understand the logic behind each loss and know how to correct it. Keeping your account stable in the five-figure range is not luck; it’s the natural result of a mature mindset.

She once said something that left a deep impression: "I used to dream of doubling my money overnight; now I just want to stay at the table forever."

That’s the difference. In this market, the greatest aggressiveness comes from your stability. And stability can only be refined through rules and patience.

Whether it’s $2,000 or $20,000, the starting point is never the most important thing. What matters is whether you can survive long enough after entering. Those who survive long enough, in the end, all make money.