After years of navigating the crypto world, the most common question I hear is: "Why does everyone else make money, and I only lose?"

Honestly, the answer to this question is harsh—it's not that there are no opportunities in the crypto space, but that most people lack a systematic approach. Everyone has experienced contract liquidations or got caught in scam coins, but the key is whether you can crawl out of the pit. I've seen traders grow their funds from hundreds of thousands to over fifty million, and I've also seen gamblers wipe out their entire net worth in one shot. What's the difference? It lies in those seemingly simple yet strict trading disciplines.

**For retail traders with funds below 200,000, these are must-know lessons for survival:**

First, understand this principle: **Only focus on one major upward wave per year; don’t think about going all-in on every move.** This means most of the time, you need to endure sideways consolidation and learn to accumulate patience during calm days. When a real opportunity arrives, you'll have the capital to seize it. Many people lose money because they want to make quick gains every day—only to be shaken out by small fluctuations.

Second, **your cognition directly determines your position size.** Before trading with real money, practice repeatedly with a demo account with a real trading mindset. Develop your swing trading techniques and profit-taking discipline until they become muscle memory. Once you go live, there’s no room for trial and error. The market won’t go easy on you just because you're a "newbie."

**Capital is king, and this cannot be compromised.** If you make a mistake in building your position, cut your losses decisively. Keep each loss within 2% of your capital. Many can’t stick to this—they keep thinking, "Just a little more, maybe it will bounce back." Usually, that leads to deeper losses. Stop-loss isn’t weakness; it’s the only way to survive in the crypto world.

Many people misunderstand good news. **If a major positive event doesn’t materialize on the day it’s announced, consider taking profits the next day when it gaps up.** This rule is especially clear with scam coins—good news often turns into bad news once the hype fades. The cycle of hype and correction in crypto is relentless. Greed often costs you the downward move.

Timing is also crucial. **A week before holidays, reduce your positions to light or even zero.** History doesn’t repeat exactly, but market cycles never skip a beat. This isn’t conservatism; it’s respect for uncertainty.

A core strategy for medium- and long-term trading is: **Always keep some cash on hand, reduce positions at resistance levels, add back at support levels, and use rolling swings instead of holding through all dips.** This way, you participate in trends while maintaining flexibility—much wiser than going all-in and praying.

If you prefer short-term trading, then **focus only on volume and candlestick patterns, and select coins with high turnover.** Avoid stagnant coins, as low volume means higher risk of being trapped. Liquidity is essential for short-term trading, and this cannot be compromised.

Market movements also follow patterns. **Slow declines often lead to weak rebounds, while sharp drops are usually quickly repaired.** Learning to read this emotional rhythm allows you to act calmly when others panic.

On the technical side, **keep a close eye on 15-minute K-line charts, using KDJ and MACD to find resonance points for buy and sell signals.** This method is simple but effective, significantly improving your win rate. Don’t drown in a sea of indicators—simplicity is more effective.

One final tip: **Less is more—focusing on 1 or 2 trading systems deeply is better than trying to do everything.** Mastery beats breadth; this is the secret to stable profits in the crypto space.

In summary, is there a shortcut to making money? No. But is there a systematic approach? Absolutely. Turn these trading principles from theory into practice, embed them into your habits, and stick to them diligently. You’ll find that some people are indeed making money in crypto—and that person can be you.