Staring at the market at 3 a.m., I suddenly remembered a saying: The true winners in the crypto world are never the fastest runners, but those who can't be knocked down.

Last month, a buddy of mine who’s been in the game for over a year came to me and said he had 5000U and wanted to enter the market to quickly double his investment. I asked him: Have you thought about how much you’re willing to lose? He was stunned for a while. I continued: If your mind is full of making money, I suggest you withdraw now. This isn’t a casino; in a casino, you can still win a hand by luck, but in crypto, that’s not possible.

I’ve seen too many people who come in dreaming of buying a seaside villa within a year, only to be crushed by the market in less than three months. So today, I want to discuss a topic with you: When you only have a small principal of 1000 to 2000U, how to gradually roll the snowball and survive several complete market cycles.

**Why 90% of People Will Exit**

What is the most painful truth in the crypto world? Ninety percent of those who enter end up leaving with losses. The reason is simple: most people prioritize making money over preserving their capital. This may sound like motivational talk, but it truly determines life and death.

I have survived three market cycles myself, relying on a few unbreakable bottom lines. Sharing them with you:

**Ironclad Rule 1: Single Loss Not Exceeding 3% of Total Capital**

Suppose you have 1000U, then your maximum stop-loss per trade should be set at 30U. Sounds conservative? Actually, no. What does this mean? Even if you hit the stop-loss 10 times in a row, you still retain 70% of your capital to continue trading.

Many people think this is too cautious. What’s the result? A big gamble that wipes out the account entirely. I’ve seen too many examples of this. Those whose accounts blow up, without exception, all placed over 20% or even 50% of their capital on a single trade. The market is so volatile—how can you guarantee you’re always right?

**Ironclad Rule 2: Never Invest in Projects You Don’t Understand**

This is also very important. I once had a friend chasing a “metaverse concept coin.” I asked him: Do you know the background of the project? How is the team? He shook his head. He just followed the hype of rapid gains. Two months later, that coin went to zero. His principal was gone too.

Crypto projects are countless, but truly valuable ones are always few. Instead of chasing novelty, it’s better to invest your limited capital in areas you genuinely understand. Even if you suffer losses, you can accept them because you know where the problem lies.

**Ironclad Rule 3: If Your State Is Poor, Absolutely Do Not Trade**

Once, I stayed up all night watching the market. The signals weren’t clear, but I was excited and wanted to trade. As a result, I lost a week’s worth of profits in half an hour. That moment made me realize that trading, like fitness or work, depends heavily on your state.

Now, my rule is: Whenever I feel tired, anxious, or emotionally unstable, I leave the screen. Because decisions made at that time will 99% lead to regret. The crypto market is 24/7, opportunities are always there, but your mind needs rest.

**How to Grow a Small Principal**

Having 1000 to 2000U may seem small, but following these three ironclad rules can help you steadily accumulate. The key is compound interest. Even earning just 3% per month, after a year, it’s a doubling.

The focus isn’t on quick doubling, but on longevity. The longer you survive, the more opportunity compound interest has to work. Stories of overnight riches are mostly just stories—don’t take them seriously. The truly reliable approach is always a bit slower but steadier.

Final note: In crypto, only those who can defend are qualified to attack.