Before entering the cryptocurrency asset space, many people learn the rules through trial and error. Instead of suffering losses, it's better to understand three bottom lines first: safety, risk control, and compliance — this is the only way for beginners to survive longer.

**Start with learning, don't rush into action**

First, master the basic concepts: how blockchain works, the difference between private keys and seed phrases, what exchanges and self-custody wallets are, and why gas fees fluctuate. These are not nonsense but essential lessons to protect yourself. Many people lose assets because they don't understand these. It's recommended to practice on exchange demo accounts to get a feel for the operation rhythm before using real money. Most importantly, face reality: the crypto market has no daily limit up or down, and volatility can wipe out your holdings overnight. There’s no guaranteed profit.

**Secure your defenses**

Choosing the right platform is crucial — prioritize large, reputable exchanges with proper compliance and a long, stable operational history. Small or unknown platforms carry high risks. On the account level, set strong passwords (more than 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols), and always enable Google Authenticator 2FA; never use SMS verification. For wallet setup, keep only about 10% of your funds on exchanges for daily use, and store large assets in hardware wallets offline. Write down seed phrases multiple times offline and keep them in different secure locations. Never touch private keys directly. Also, pay attention to your online environment — using public Wi-Fi or unfamiliar devices to operate wallets is a suicide move.

**Risk control determines life or death**

Invest with spare funds — this is the bottom line. Only invest what you can afford to lose and stay calm during downturns. Avoid leverage borrowing; emergency funds are strictly off-limits. Diversify your holdings instead of betting on a single coin. Combine mainstream coins with a small amount of potential altcoins for better stability. Keep individual transaction sizes within 1-2% of your total funds. The simplest way to overcome FOMO is to set a cooling-off period: give yourself a 2-hour buffer before acting, and use dollar-cost averaging ((DCA)) to smooth market fluctuations. Chasing highs and going all-in is a lesson once learned.