Many people are messing around in the crypto market, but they never seem to understand one fundamental truth: hitting the right rhythm is more valuable than betting on the right direction. Patience is also more profitable than frequent trading.

I have a friend who has $12,000 USDT in his account, knows all the trading indicators inside out, and is well-versed in hot topics. But he just can't move his money; it sits there silently. Later, when we talked, I realized the problem wasn't technical skills or information channels, but his mindset was out of control. His habit is: whenever it rises by 5%, he immediately takes profit and runs; when it dips slightly, he's scared and cuts his losses. By the time a real upward wave arrives, he's already been forced out.

I straightforwardly asked him: "Do you want to gamble for quick excitement, or do you want to make steady profits?" He said he wanted to ride a big trend steadily. I told him: "Everyone can see the market clearly, but very few can lock in the rhythm. So, rhythm is far more valuable than direction."

He took it to heart and started adjusting his mindset. He began with the Ethereum ecosystem, gradually building his positions, and his account grew from $12,000 to $27,000. Later, he caught the AI wave early and seized the sector rotation opportunity. The most critical moment was during a market pullback; he didn't panic but instead decisively increased his holdings, and his account eventually surged to $92,000 USDT.

He told me something very interesting at the end: "I used to be led around by the nose by the market, but now I feel like I can control the rhythm." This statement actually reveals the core secret of making money in the crypto space.

Mindset cultivation: the highest barrier in the crypto market

In this market, technical indicators can be learned, information channels can be opened, but no one can replace you in cultivating your mindset. Almost all of my early losses, in hindsight, stemmed from an unbalanced mindset.

Transforming from a "HODL gambler" to a "risk manager" is an essential process. When I first entered the crypto world, my mind was full of words like "all-in," "hundred-bagger coins," and "financial freedom." I only focused on profits, completely ignoring risks. When the market retraced, my heartbeat accelerated; when it surged, I was afraid of missing out. Operations under this mental state are doomed to be distorted and passive.

The real transformation is gradually learning to coexist with uncertainty. Risk isn't about elimination but management. Position sizing, stop-loss settings, and position control—these seemingly boring things are exactly what the longest-standing traders are doing.

Working part-time, saving coins, choosing a cycle that suits you—these are much more rational than endlessly staring at the screen and frequently chasing highs and lows. Market opportunities are always present, but your mindset and capital are only one set. Protect these two, and you'll find the true secret to surviving long-term in this market.