These years in the crypto world, since entering in 2014, I have witnessed three major bull and bear market cycles firsthand. To be honest, I started with 300,000 yuan for a test, and now I have achieved financial freedom. During these 7 years of professional trading, I have experienced rollercoaster-like rises and falls—from being heavily in debt to where I am now, I guess I’ve completed a leap in identity.

I’ve made money, lost money, mined meme coins, participated in ICOs, and even played with mining rigs—countless pitfalls along the way. It may seem like a game of bulls and bears, but the core is really about mindset. There are surprises and disappointments; this circle is like magic, full of temptation and possibilities. Later, I realized that the ways to make stable profits boil down to one simple principle—be straightforward and aggressive: bottom-fishing in a bear market, selling in a bull market, with minimal risk.

But the problem is, many people still can’t tell what a bull market, bear market, or sideways consolidation is. If you lose money this way, it’s not unfair. The fundamental logic of trading is “follow the trend.” If the direction is wrong, even the most sophisticated strategies are useless. Today, I will break down how to identify these three market conditions, how to enter positions, and when trends might reverse—based on real trading experience. After learning this, you’ll be able to keep the rhythm and stop fighting against the trend.

**1. Bull Market (Uptrend)**

Only go long, never short—sit back and make money.

The most obvious feature of a bull market: prices generally move upward, with large gains during rallies and smaller dips. This is very important.

Trading short in a bull market is like fighting against the market—dangerous beyond measure. Even if there’s a short-term correction, it’s likely to bounce back and even hit new highs. Imagine flowing downstream in a river—if you follow the current, profits are easy.

**5 Practical Methods to Identify a Bull Market at a Glance:**

**1. Trend Structure: Higher highs + higher lows**

This is the most basic criterion. In a bull market, price fluctuations always look like this—each rebound hits a new high, and each correction’s low is higher than the previous correction’s low. This is called “central pivot points continuously rising,” a hallmark of a bull market. Check a candlestick chart—does it look like this? If yes, congratulations, you’re in a bull market.

**2. Time Cycle Verification**

Don’t just look at daily charts; expand to weekly and monthly charts. A true bull market must show a breakout on larger timeframes. Sometimes the daily looks good, but the weekly is still downward; don’t get too excited—this might just be a rebound, not a trend. Multiple timeframes confirming the same direction make the trend more reliable.

**3. Volume Confirmation**

Bullish rises should be accompanied by moderate volume increases. If prices surge sharply but volume remains unchanged, the trend may reverse soon. A genuine bull market features rising price and volume together—though volume doesn’t have to hit new highs every time, the overall trend should show gradually increasing volume.

**4. Moving Average Alignment**

Check if the moving averages are in a “bullish order.” Simply put, short-term averages (5-day, 10-day) are above mid-term averages (20-day, 60-day), which are above long-term averages (120-day, 250-day). This alignment indicates strong buying momentum across different timeframes, signaling a solid bull market.

**5. Frequency of New Highs**

In a bull market, the asset should regularly hit new highs. If the price keeps hovering in a range without breaking out, the bull trend may be weakening. The real bull market rhythm involves periodic new highs, giving a continuous upward push.

Trading in a bull market is actually very simple—hold and profit. Frequent traders who buy high and sell low often end up missing the final gains. Because each trade requires correct timing and direction, costs pile up. The best strategy in a bull market is to get in and hold steady, letting the trend do the work. Be firm during pullbacks, more confident during rallies, and only consider exiting when you see clear sell signals.

Honestly, most of my profits over the years come from holding during bull markets. The dream of perfectly bottom-fishing or perfectly timing the top remains a dream. But if you can identify a real bull market and hold steady with the right mindset, profits will come naturally. That’s the power of what I call “simple and straightforward.”