Truth from an 8-Year Crypto Veteran: Surviving the Bull-Bear Cycle Is What Matters Most

There are faces who once entered the market with me, now only a few remain. Most have left after the cycles of “sky-high – free fall.” Looking back over 8 years, what lingers is not a sudden account boost, but nights of losses spent reviewing, moments of restraint before temptation, and a disciplined system strong enough not to be swallowed by the market.

1. Illusions of Quick Wealth and the Emotional Trap During hot rallies, everyone feels “this time is different.” Prices rise rapidly, chat groups are flooded with stories of big profits, FOMO pushes people to chase and buy. When the trend reverses, fear causes many to panic sell at the bottom. The market doesn’t just fluctuate in price — it amplifies greed and fear. When emotions drive decisions, they are often wrong. Many make a few times their account during euphoric phases, then believe they are “geniuses,” only to lose both profits and capital when the bear arrives. Lesson: Don’t trade based on noise. Without a plan, you are trading on emotion.
2. From “Newbie” to Survivor: Systems Are More Important Than Luck After a series of losses, I started doing something seemingly “boring”: recording every trade, every mistake. The conclusion was clear — it’s not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of discipline. Three principles I stick to today: Don’t overtrade: Don’t put all your capital into one trade. Be cautious: Only enter trades with clear reasoning. Cut losses promptly: Minimize losses to keep opportunities for tomorrow. Initially, I missed many strong rallies because I didn’t chase. But in return, my account steadily grew. More importantly, my mindset remained stable — an intangible asset that helps you survive multiple cycles. Lesson: Sustainable profits come from a process, not luck.
3. The Survival Wisdom of “Old Hands” After many bull and bear cycles, I’ve distilled a few core principles: Don’t believe “this time is different” Financial history repeats because people repeat. When everyone is confident, the risk is often greatest. Use systems instead of emotions I limit my screen time, only making two types of trades: trend-based with reasoning and wave-based with rhythm. Bear markets sow seeds, bull markets harvest results The market cools down — it’s the time to learn, select projects, and accumulate gradually. Always stay humble Variables in crypto are numerous. Overconfidence is the enemy of your account. Lesson: You don’t need to be right all the time, just survive long enough.
4. Dealing with the Current Market: Slow but Steady During cycle transitions, I prioritize: Avoid full capital deployment Always keep living funds separate. Focus on value, not just price Decentralized ledger technology with real-world applications in finance, gaming, data, infrastructure. Be patient through cycles The market is cyclical; persistent people are often rewarded. I use a “phased position-building” approach: 30% for exploratory entry, 40% to optimize cost basis during corrections, 30% when the trend is clear. This method is slow but helps me withstand volatility and avoid emotional reactions. Lesson: Capital preservation is the top priority.
5. Survival Is More Important Than Speed Those nights of not giving up despite losses, resisting FOMO, and trading journal pages — that’s true “profit.” Crypto rewards not the reckless, but those who control themselves. Experts do two things: wait and execute. Everything else is noise. If you’re struggling: Slow down a bit, Build a system, Manage emotions, Wait for opportunities. Ten years sharpening a sword, you will find your own path. In crypto, the last one laughing isn’t the fastest, but the most persistent and disciplined. Conclusion The market will have many bull and bear cycles. You don’t need to be the best, just the one still standing when the game continues. Let discipline lead, and let time work in your favor.