In the dead of night, the numbers on the computer screen were frozen at 280,000. At that moment, I closed my eyes, and tears still escaped from my eyes. This was not a lucky lottery; it was the fruit of 3,000 days and nights of fighting against myself.
At the age of 32, my life was worse than bankruptcy. The moment I signed the divorce agreement, I was left with nothing but debt. Many people say the cryptocurrency world is a casino, and I came here simply because I had no way out—borrowed 20,000 USDT became my last chip.
Six years have passed, and the account balance stings the eyes. But more precious than the numbers is the trading iron law that I have carved out with my own hands on this road paved with blood and tears. Today, I want to share with you a real story, not a myth, and certainly not the fantasy of a 'bull market'.
I. Starting Out: When Everyone Says You Are Crazy.
In the winter of 2019, I stared at the candlestick charts in my rented small apartment, my fingers frozen stiff. The first time I got liquidated came unexpectedly—at the moment 0.5 Bitcoin evaporated, I cried on my keyboard. Not because of the money, but out of fear: if I failed again, I wouldn't even be able to pay my rent.
But I stuck to a 'stupid' method: only doing one niche.
At that time, DeFi was hot. I locked myself in my house for two weeks, only studying arbitrage opportunities in decentralized exchanges. I don’t chase trends or open positions blindly; I focus like digging a well. What was the result? Three months later, I figured out the rules and seized an arbitrage opportunity across exchanges, making back all my previous losses in one transaction.
This made me realize: in the cryptocurrency market, becoming an expert in one area is better than being a jack of all trades. Many people play with NFTs today, chase meme coins tomorrow, and ultimately know a little about everything but master nothing. As for me, I only deeply cultivate in my own field.
II. My Trading System: So Simple It's Laughable.
Many people think making money requires complex strategies, but my system is so simple I'm embarrassed to say it out loud:
1. The trend is your true friend.
“Go with the big trend, against the small trend” is my core principle. Look for direction on the weekly chart, find entry points on the daily chart, and watch the swing on the 4-hour chart. When the major trend is up, every pullback is an opportunity to enter; when the major trend is down, every rebound is a window to escape.
Last year's BNB wave, with three consecutive weekly bullish candles confirming the trend, I entered during a daily pullback, not eating the fish head or tail, only the fattest part of the fish. Is it simple? But most people cannot resist chasing highs and cutting lows.
2. Volume is the market's breath.
Candlestick charts are the results; volume is the language. I pay special attention to two types of volume patterns:
A sharp rise followed by a slow fall indicates that the main force is quietly accumulating, just like a store stocking up before a sale; a sharp rise followed by a waterfall is a harvesting signal, akin to suddenly closing the doors after attracting a crowd.
High-level low-volume consolidation is the most dangerous—it's the calm before the storm, where many people get tricked into buying and then get wiped out.
3. Stop-loss is as natural as breathing.
I set a strict rule for myself: the position of a single cryptocurrency should not exceed 20% of the total funds, with the stop-loss set at 8% below the buying price; if it breaks, exit unconditionally. It sounds simple, but executing it goes against human nature.
I remember once when the cryptocurrency I heavily invested in suddenly crashed, and the system automatically triggered a stop-loss. Three days later, it dropped by 60%. However, I preserved my capital and bought back at a lower position. Discipline is not a restriction but a protection.
III. Mindset Management: The Game of the Lonely.
The cryptocurrency market trades 24 hours a day; the hardest part is not the technology, but controlling your hands and heart.
“Daring to be in cash” is the highest level of mindset. Last year, during a chaotic market period, I stayed in cash for a whole month. Many laughed at me for being timid, but when the crash came, they realized the meaning of cash being king.
Do not increase your position when losing; that is the bottom line. Some people try to average down when they lose, resulting in deeper losses. My principle is: when the reason to buy disappears, you must exit. Do not try to prove yourself right; instead, ensure you stay alive.
I have a small method: before opening a position, I write a trading plan, including reasons for buying, stop-loss price, and target price. This may seem redundant, but it has helped me avoid many impulsive trades.
IV. About Leverage: The Sweet Poison
I have seen too many stories of people going to zero overnight, all because of leverage.
My principle is: perpetual contracts should not exceed 5x leverage, and should only be used when the major trend is clear. Leverage is not a money printer, but a magnifying glass—it magnifies your understanding and also your ignorance.
Before the LUNA crash in 2022, I noticed big whale addresses moving, and I reduced leverage in advance. Although I missed out on later gains, I saved my life. In this market, living long is 100 times more important than making quick money.
V. A Letter to You Who Are at the Bottom.
Perhaps you are at a low point in your life, and perhaps your account balance is despairing. But I want to tell you: what is most fascinating about the cryptocurrency world is not getting rich quickly, but fairness. Here, your understanding determines your wealth.
When I was broke, I only did three things every day:
Study on-chain data to see the movements of large funds.
Record your trading psychology and identify emotional weaknesses.
Wait, like a hunter, for the best opportunity.
Many people mock my inefficiency, but it is this 'stupidity' that has allowed me to survive every black swan event.
Remember, investing is not a sprint, but a marathon. Do not envy those stories of overnight wealth; instead, learn from the habits of those who make consistent profits.
The last piece of sincere advice.
Now, I still learn every day. The market changes, but human nature does not. Technology can be learned, discipline can be practiced; only by overcoming greed and fear can you survive and thrive in this 'Shura field.'
If you are also groping in the dark, remember: the darkest moment is when dawn is about to arrive. I am not a god, just a fellow traveler who set out a few years earlier than you. As long as you do not give up on yourself, there will always be opportunities in this market.
A true strong person does not lack tears; rather, they wipe away their tears and continue moving forward. Follow Ake to learn more firsthand information and cryptocurrency knowledge, precise points, and become your navigation in the crypto world. Learning is your greatest wealth! #巨鲸动向 #加密市场观察 $ETH
