Fear still has a cure; madness is the real deadly disease.

Some time ago, a friend of mine was chatting with me. He had less than $600 in startup capital in his account. His tone was full of anxiety: "I'm afraid that one trade will wipe me out." I actually saw this as a good sign.

People who truly understand caution are clear-headed. The most terrifying thing in the crypto world is never market volatility, but the obsession with "turning things around in one shot." This guy has an advantage — he listens to advice, doesn’t rush, and can stay calm. When placing his first order, he would take several deep breaths before confirming, with nerves comparable to major life events.

What was the result? In one month, his $600 grew to $6,000. After three more months, his account was steadily over $20,000. Throughout the process, he never experienced a catastrophic drawdown or liquidation.

This is not luck; it’s two words: rules.

**Divide your funds into three parts**

The first ironclad rule I set for him was this: divide $600 into three parts. Two parts are used to seize market opportunities, and the remaining part is always kept idle. This part isn’t money; it’s a psychological bottom line, a lifeline in critical moments.

While others go all-in, he chooses to wait and observe; while others are emotionally shattered by market fluctuations, he puts down his phone and goes for a run; while others want to add to losing positions, hold on stubbornly, or try to instantly recover losses, he follows his predetermined rules and cuts losses immediately.

Once, Bitcoin suddenly plunged, and the entire market was panicking. He asked me whether he should increase his position size. I asked him back: "Are you adding to your position, or are you throwing money at anxiety?"

He understood immediately.

**The secret of small initial investments: staying alive is more important than making money**

Too many people enter this market dreaming of a comeback, with stories of small funds turning into sky-high gains. But the reality is — sticking to discipline, managing each trade well, and surviving long enough are more valuable than any profit made in a single shot. Opportunities are always present in this market, but the prerequisite is that you’re still in the game.