At 3 a.m., it's that moment again. The candlestick chart on the screen draws a cruel arc once more. This is the third time this month that I watch my account funds bottom out, fingers trembling above the "Add Margin" button. That night, I truly woke up — it’s not the market that defeated me, but myself stepping into countless traps.

After years of honing, I have transformed from a desperate trader in the dead of night to an experienced trader who can maintain steady profits. The crypto world never lacks opportunities; what’s scarce are those who can survive.

**1. Stop-loss is like a life-saving rope; hesitation can be deadly**

The lessons from two catastrophic liquidations in my early years are vivid: always thinking "wait for the rebound." Wake up, the market doesn’t care about your reluctance. SOL shot from 20 to 200 in three months, then rapidly fell back to 30 — those who held on during the decline had their principal wiped out long ago.

Here's how I do it now: when a single loss reaches 5%, I cut my position immediately, no questions asked. It’s like fastening a seatbelt on the account. Frankly, stop-loss isn’t about admitting defeat; it’s about preserving capital to make the next move.

**2. After three consecutive losses, you must exit; stubbornness is the most expensive**

The easiest time to get liquidated? After a series of losses. At that point, emotions have taken over reason, and all I can think about is "making it back." I set a strict rule for myself: after three wrong trades in a row, I must stop trading, no matter how frustrated I am.

True experts aren’t just those who win all the time, but those who know when to exit. When the market is chaotic, even the most brilliant analysis can’t hold up. The wisest choice then is to hit pause.

**3. Don’t touch coins you don’t understand; knowledge gaps are risks**

What’s the fastest way to make money? It’s definitely not blindly chasing hot trends. I stick to trading assets I’ve studied repeatedly, refusing to FOMO.

**4. Position size is always the last line of defense**

I never let a single position exceed 5% of my total funds, no matter how promising the market looks. This way, even if I make a wrong judgment, my account can withstand it. Small positions with high win rates — that’s the secret to longevity.

**5. Review is the only path to advancement**

Every month, I review my losing trades and ask myself: where did I break down? Was my stop-loss too loose? Or was I greedy? Honestly, 90% of improvements come from review, not technical books.

Opportunities in the crypto world are always there; the next bull market will come. But the prerequisite is that you must survive until that day.