It took me two years to turn this from pure gambling into a real business. The initial approach was staying up late watching the charts, being emotionally driven, and frequently getting margin calls and insomnia. Later, I gradually explored a new path: working at fixed times, following a plan, and maintaining consistent profits. Actually, this is the correct way to make money.

The following lessons are all lessons I learned the hard way through real money losses. Beginners might want to note these down:

**Time is the first filter in trading**

Market movements during the day are especially chaotic. News is everywhere, volatility is wild, and candlesticks behave erratically. I now usually only start trading after 9 AM, because by then the market noise has mostly settled, trends become clearer, and candlesticks are cleaner.

**Taking profits when the time is right is never overkill**

People who aim to double their gains after earning 800 points often get knocked back to square one by a single correction. My approach is simple: take half of the profit when I earn it and secure it, then slowly trade the rest. This habit has saved me more than once.

**Indicators speak, feelings can easily deceive**

Entering based on intuition is the quickest way to get wiped out. Now I rely entirely on indicators. MACD for golden/death crosses, RSI for overbought/oversold, Bollinger Bands for narrowing and breakout signals. When at least two indicators agree on a direction, then it’s worth considering entering.

**Stop-loss must be flexible**

When I have time to monitor the market, I move my stop-loss up as the price rises. For example, if I buy at 1000 and it rises to 1100, I move my stop-loss to 1050. If I can’t watch all day, I set a strict 3% stop-loss to prevent a sudden crash from wiping me out.

**Profits should be withdrawn in batches**

The numbers in your account are never real money until transferred to your bank card. Every time you make a profit, withdraw 30-50% in installments—don’t hold onto the hope of tenfold gains. This mindset is crucial.

**There’s a method to reading candlesticks**

For short-term trading, I mainly look at the 1-hour chart. Two consecutive bullish candles can be a reference for going long. If the market is sideways, switch to the 4-hour chart to find support levels, and consider entering when the price approaches support.

**Avoid these pitfalls at all costs**

Heavy positions with high leverage can wipe you out if you get the direction wrong. Don’t touch unfamiliar altcoins—they’re easy to be “cut leeks” (scammed). Limit yourself to three trades per day; more than that, and it’s easy to lose control. The last rule is strict: never borrow money to trade crypto—that’s a dead line.

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In the end, trading crypto isn’t about impulsively chasing quick riches, but about executing a long-term systematic approach. Treat it as a real job: log in at fixed times daily, follow your plan, and shut down when it’s time to rest. Persist, and you’ll find that profits are actually more stable, and sometimes even higher.