A lot of people look at the crypto scene and think it's a 'get-rich-quick scheme.'
But anyone who's been through a full market cycle knows that the harshest part of this game isn’t just not making money; it’s figuring out how to cash out your profits once you do.
A few days ago, an old follower shared his experience with me, and it hit home. He used to work night shifts at a convenience store, alone, staring at the shelves during the quiet hours. The work was dull and repetitive, but it was steady. After a few years, he saved up 180,000, which was his entry point into the crypto world.
I first got into crypto because my night shifts were so boring. I kept seeing people talk about BTC, market trends, and cycles. At first, I just listened to the stories, but then I started doing my own research, and eventually, I dipped my toes in with some small funds.
What really changed his life was the last bull market's spot trading.
He didn't start with high-risk operations; instead, he slowly dollar-cost averaged and bought the dips, hitting several phased opportunities, growing from 180,000 to 1.6 million. This experience made him feel for the first time that there seemed to be 'patterns' in this market.
That's where the problems start.
Later, he started trading contracts.
The first few months were indeed smooth, with several trend trades making money quickly, and the account grew rapidly. He began to think: since I can see the right direction, why not amplify the profits?
So the position started to get heavier.
Leverage started to increase.
Stop losses started to feel less 'necessary'.
He later described that state very simply: it wasn't trading, it was amplifying confidence.
Until that pullback.
The market is just normal fluctuations, but he chose to hold his position.
After his first loss, he thought it was just a shakeout.
After his second loss, he began to add to his position.
The third time, the market broke through directly.
In just a short wave, over 1.2 million in profits was directly retraced.
He said the most painful time wasn't losing money, but knowing he was wrong and just not wanting to admit it.
He even once considered quitting the market altogether.
Later, he did something very crucial: he stopped to review his trades.
He pulled out all his trading records and looked at them one by one.
In the end, he discovered a painful truth:
Profitable trades are almost always light positions + trend-following + with stop losses;
Losing trades all come from heavy positions + holding + emotional trading.
The market has always been there; it was him who magnified himself.
From then on, he rebuilt his trading system:
Always keep your position within a manageable range;
Every trade must have a pre-planned stop loss;
Only trade structures you understand;
Don't chase emotional markets, don't add to your position on a whim;
If there's no opportunity, stay in cash and wait.
He said he used to think trading depended on judgment, now he understands it relies on discipline.
Slowly, the account began to grow again, now the capital is close to 20 million, and he has opened several convenience stores back home, with cash flow and trading running parallel.
In the future, he plans to implement a chain retail + trading combination model to manage life and the market separately.
He said his biggest insight over the years can be summed up in one sentence: you see the speed of making money, but overlook the time others spent enduring.
Because in this market, what truly determines how far you can go is not a few big wins, but whether you’re willing to start over after a major loss.
If you're in the market now, remember this: making money can be fast, but surviving must be slow.
I will continue to share my live trading logic, position management, and market rhythm; those who want to avoid detours can exchange ideas together. This market is not short of opportunities, but lacks those who can truly keep the profits.
