Ten years ago, I dived into the crypto market with exactly 20,000 USD, carrying the illusion of a 'quick life change' in my mind. Three consecutive account blowouts hit me hard: this path is not for the delusional.

The worst time, I used 10x leverage, holding the position from the afternoon until 3 AM. When the red candle pierced through the last support zone, my hand holding the cigarette shook so much that I couldn't even light the lighter.

After that incident, the account was down to three digits - literally 'cleaned out'.

But from that rubble, I built a 'reverse' strategy, not following textbooks, not deifying stop-loss, and now I consistently receive a seven-figure income each year.

The first thing I want to clarify: The question 'Should I cut losses or hold the order?' is fundamentally wrong from the root.

Trading is not about choosing a fixed answer, but building a system with probability edge.

Stop-loss, leverage, entry points - all are just tools. No tool makes a profit if you use it incorrectly.

1. Stop-Loss Is Not a 'Lifebuoy' – It Is Only the Backup Brake of the System

When I first started, I was haunted by the idea that 'not setting stop-loss is a sin', each order had a preset of -5%.
Results?
It wasn't the market that killed me - but fees and slippage killed me.

6 months later, from 8,000 USD down to a few hundred.

At that time I realized:

Stop-loss is not always necessary. It is only required when the strategy must have it.

For example:

✔ Strategy does not need stop-loss:

  • Trade according to the long-term accumulation zones of BTC, ETH

  • Grid trading in sideways zones has been validated

  • Trade according to the major trend, with stable volume

→ At this point, a too tight stop-loss only causes you to get swept out and watch the price move in the right direction.

✘ Strategies must have stop-loss:

  • Trading in low-cap altcoins

  • Using leverage over 3x

  • Trading in high-risk moments (news, strong fluctuations)

One time greed + Not setting stop-loss in altcoins can 'send you out of the market' immediately - I am a living example.

2. Don't Be 'Livestock for the Floor' – The Hidden Costs Are the Profit Killers

Many people think they lose due to wrong analysis.
No!
They lose because they trade too much.

  • A day 15 - 20 orders

  • Going a few dollars means closing

  • Each time I profit a few %, but fees eat away half.

At the end of the month, looking back: The floor profit - you are poor.

Currently, I have reduced the trading pace to the point where many think I 'quit trading':

  • 3 months maximum 10–15 orders

  • Only enter orders when the price breaks through important areas and volume confirms

  • Each order has profit expectations large enough to cover half a year of trading fees

Crypto is not short of opportunities, people just lack the patience to wait for real opportunities.

3. Leverage and Coin Type Must 'Match' – Choosing Wrong Is Self-Sabotage

Leverage is not bad.
Using it wrongly is what’s bad.

The principles I drew after three burnouts:

  • BTC/ETH - clear trend, moderate volatility → 2–3x

Can withstand shakeouts.

  • Top altcoin → maximum 5x + clear stop-loss

Rapid fluctuations but still have liquidity.

  • Shitcoin → Do not use leverage, or don't touch it

It does not shake you off. It just beats you to death.

In the past, I used 5x for BTC and 10x for small altcoins.
Results:

  • BTC shakes out → wash out

  • Altcoin gets a dump → burns accounts

Now looking back, it's true that I was ignorant due to lack of understanding.

10 Years in Crypto I Understand One Thing:

There is no rule that is a truth. Only the system that fits you is the truth.

Stop-loss is not something for you to 'blindly follow', but a tool to protect long-term winning probabilities.

A good trader is not someone who does a lot of complicated things.
But someone who knows:

  • When to need stop-loss

  • When to need to hold a position

  • When to stay out

  • When to accept missing out

That's the only way for profits to roll into a snowball over the years.

**If you are confused, if you are continuously swept by stop-loss, if trading longer makes you lose faith - don't worry.

You just don't understand the 'personality' of the market.

Follow me @blogtienso — I will help you view the market from the perspective of someone who has survived.