Having navigated the crypto world for years, I’ve seen too many people come in with dreams only to be beaten down by market realities. They share a common ailment: as soon as they enter, they think about buying the dip every day and catching the top every time, but instead of making profits, they get crushed by endless volatility and lose their mindset.

I later realized a cruel truth—those who truly survive and make money are not the smartest group, but rather the ones who seem the "dumbest": strictly follow discipline, restrain greed, and know when to admit defeat.

Below are ten rules I have repeatedly validated with real money, and they are also the reasons I’ve been able to persist in the crypto space until now.

**Strong assets keep falling, that’s the window to buy.** Coins that have experienced a big rally often see sharper pullbacks. But when they decline for several days in a row and market sentiment hits rock bottom, it’s actually an opportunity to buy at low levels. The key is to distinguish between "panic selling" and "trend reversal."

**After a continuous rally, take some profits.** No matter how fierce the upward move, if it’s been going up for several days, it’s time to lock in gains. The biggest mistake beginners make is mistaking floating profits on the screen for real cash, only to see a single bearish candle wipe it all out.

**Don’t chase after a sharp rise the next day.** This is a typical sign of overheated emotions. A large short-term increase indicates selling pressure is about to emerge. Calmly observe the cost basis for a day—it's much lower than the cost of chasing and getting caught.

**If a coin has gone through a main rally, don’t chase if it’s boring.** Coins with low volume and weak momentum are pure gambling if you push through. The real opportunities are always in the next round; there’s no need to waste bullets on a dying trend.

**Exit immediately if sideways consolidation lasts too long.** Several days without clear rhythm means big players aren’t interested. Instead of waiting with it, look for assets with action and heat.

**Admit mistakes early.** This is the hardest but most important rule. When losses appear, handle them decisively—don’t cling to the hope that "it might rebound." Be rational.

**There’s rhythm in both rises and falls.** Once you learn to identify the patterns of continuous upward moves and pullbacks, you’re not guessing the direction but following the structure. Once this logic is understood thoroughly, your success rate will significantly improve.

**Volume is the market’s heartbeat.** Low volume at lows indicates funds are accumulating—worth paying attention to; high volume at highs often signals distribution—time to clear positions. Never ignore the authenticity of volume.

**Only trade in the direction of the trend.** When the trend is upward, opportunities are plentiful; trading against it is just pointless waste. Going with the trend greatly improves efficiency—more than an order of magnitude.

**Small capital requires even more discipline.** When funds are limited, discipline is your moat. Don’t complain about slow gains, don’t think about hitting the jackpot overnight. Those who can truly stick to it are more valuable than talent if they follow the right method.

**Final advice: don’t stake your bottom line on the market.** Those who can go far are those who first learn to survive. Here, "survive" means protecting your principal, restraining greed, and respecting the market. Once you truly understand this, the crypto world is no longer a casino for you.