Many people enter the crypto world with the dream of "making a living through trading." However, the reality is often harsh—accounts unknowingly lose money, and dreams shatter along the way. I have been immersed in this market for eight years, witnessing countless entries and exits, and experiencing numerous life-and-death moments. Surviving until today is not due to luck, but because I have grasped some underlying logic of the market. Today, I will share these years of insights with you all.

**Small Cycles Determine Short-Term Success or Failure**

Many traders make decisions solely based on daily charts, thinking that an upper shadow means a decline. But switching to a 30-minute cycle can reveal a completely different structure. Short-term reversal opportunities are often hidden in hourly details—yesterday’s daily chart may look weak, but the next day can produce a large bullish candle. This is not coincidence; it’s because real short-term funds operate on smaller cycles. The core of short-term trading is to resonate small cycles with the larger trend—only then can true opportunities emerge.

**Avoid When the Structure Is Broken**

It’s easier to profit when the market has a clear direction, but the most dangerous times are when the market is confused and the structure is chaotic. Many traders still force trades during these times, only to make mistakes repeatedly. Going with the trend is the fundamental rule of survival. When the rhythm is disrupted, the smartest choice is to stop. Instead of gambling in chaos, wait for the next clear opportunity.

**Heat Determines Sustainability**

There’s a golden rule in short-term trading: funds gather where there is heat. Coins without themes, lacking attention, or with thin liquidity—even the most beautiful charts are useless. Because short-term trading essentially follows the main funds, and main funds always cluster in popular assets. Even the best technicals on obscure coins cannot change the reality of low trading volume.

**Follow Your Plan, Don’t Be Driven by the Market**

The most common mistake in trading is impulsiveness. When you see market fluctuations, changing your mind on the spot—these are almost always emotional trades. True experts develop their strategies during calm periods and then strictly follow the plan regardless of market chaos. This requires discipline and repeated self-training.

**Others’ Opinions Are Just References**

No matter how many analysts or authoritative forecasts you see online, they are only supplementary information. Ultimately, when you place an order and how much you trade must come from your own system and judgment. Blindly following others is the easiest way to get trapped because their risk tolerance, capital size, and trading cycle are different from yours.

**Set Your Direction First, Then Choose Coins**

This is a sequence issue many overlook. If the direction is correct, you can profit even from mainstream coins; if the direction is wrong, no matter how good your coin selection skills are, it’s useless. Always spend time first to judge the overall market trend—this is the highest priority decision.

**Follow the Uptrend, Don’t Guess the Bottom**

"Waiting for a rebound" is often a trap. Prices always move toward the path of least resistance. In an uptrend, follow the trend—this is both trend-following and safe. In contrast, bottom-fishing requires extremely precise market judgment, with success rates much lower than trend-following. Especially in volatile markets, profits often come from riding the right trend, not from guessing the bottom.

**After Big Gains or Big Losses, Stay Out and Stay Calm**

Whether your account has gained significantly or suffered painful losses, your mindset can become unbalanced. Continuing to trade at this point often leads to poor decisions. The correct approach is to immediately close positions, pause, and reassess the market and yourself, clarifying the reasons for the success or failure of this wave. This brief period of calm can greatly improve subsequent decision accuracy. Many big losers fail to do this, continuing to trade in a chaotic state of mind, ultimately losing even more.

The crypto world is not an unregulated casino. These eight rules are survival principles I have summarized from countless trades. If you are still exploring and lack a clear methodology, consider reflecting on whether your trading has fallen into these traps.