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"The market rewards those who have a plan and punishes those who only have hope." This phrase is rarely quoted in textbooks, but it accurately describes the initial steps in crypto trading. Getting started on an exchange is not about quick profits but about discipline and understanding how transactions work. Many beginners enter trading with the desire to "try," but without a clear sequence of actions. That’s why it’s important to understand what needs to be done and in what order. In this lesson, we will review the basic algorithm for starting trading on the Gate exchange using the BTC/USDT pair as an example. Step by step — without unnecessary theory and complex terminology.

The first step is registration and basic account setup on Gate. After creating your profile, it’s important to verify your identity if you plan to trade actively or deposit significant amounts. Next, you need to fund your account, usually in stablecoin USDT, since it is most often traded in pairs with Bitcoin. After depositing funds, you should transfer them from your main account to your spot account if the exchange separates these balances. Only then are you ready to proceed directly to the trading interface. Many skip the balance check and wonder why their order doesn’t open. Always verify where your funds are located.

Next, select the BTC/USDT trading pair. BTC is Bitcoin, and USDT is a stablecoin usually pegged to the US dollar. The pair means you are buying or selling Bitcoin for USDT. In the trading terminal, you will see a price chart, order book, trade history, and order creation form. For beginners, it’s important to focus on the order form, not the chart. This is where you determine the price at which you want to buy or sell and the amount of the asset. Everything else is auxiliary tools.

There are two main types of orders to start with:
• Market — buy or sell at the current market price.
• Limit — set your desired price, and the order will execute only when the market reaches it.
• Additionally, there may be Stop-Limit or other advanced types, but beginners should first master the basics.
• Market orders are suitable for quick entry, Limit orders for more controlled purchases.

A simple example with a Market order. Suppose you have 1000 USDT and want to buy BTC immediately. You select the Market tab, enter the amount in USDT or the amount of BTC you want to buy. The exchange will automatically fill in the current market price from the order book. After pressing the Buy button, the transaction executes almost instantly. You will receive Bitcoin at the average price of the sellers whose orders were available at the moment of purchase. It’s important to remember that the final price may vary slightly due to market movement.

Now let’s look at an example with a Limit order on the BTC/USDT pair. Suppose the current BTC price is 60,000 USDT, but you want to buy cheaper — at 58,000. In the order form, select Limit, enter 58,000 in the "Price" field, and the amount of BTC, for example 0.01. The system will automatically show how much USDT will be locked for this order. After confirming, the order goes into the order book and will wait until the market reaches your price. If the price doesn’t drop, the order will remain unfilled.

Before confirming any trade, check these points:
• Order type: Market or Limit.
• The price at which you buy or sell.
• The amount of BTC or the USDT sum.
• The exchange fee and total amount to be deducted.
• Whether you have enough funds in your spot account.

After executing the order, your BTC will appear in your spot balance. You can then either hold it or place a sell order at a higher price. The trading logic is always the same: plan first, then calculate the volume, create the order, and only after that, confirm. Do not impulsively open trades, especially in volatile markets. Every action should have a reason: technical, fundamental, or strategic. The exchange is just a tool; the outcome depends on the trader’s discipline.

Starting trading is not about chasing quick profits but about learning risk management. It’s better to make several small trades for practice than to jump in with your entire deposit. Understanding how an order is filled and what happens after pressing the button removes most of a beginner’s fears. The crypto market rewards attentive and patient traders. So before increasing your volumes, make sure you fully understand the mechanics of spot trading. That’s where the journey of a conscious crypto trader begins.

Now a question for crypto enthusiasts. Do you use Market orders, or do you prefer Limit? Have you ever experienced an order not executing due to an incorrectly set price? What was the amount you started with for your first BTC/USDT trades? And do you have your own risk management rule before opening each position?

The information provided is for general informational purposes and is not financial advice.