Money in the crypto world comes fast and goes even faster. Some people make a quick profit relying on luck only to lose it all back, while others can survive longer and earn more steadily. From repeatedly getting liquidated to finally turning things around, it’s not about any secret, but about one simple thing: staying alive.

I’ve also taken the wrong path. During days of reckless high-leverage trading, I was liquidated several times, leaving my principal almost gone. That’s when I realized that the contract market is a battlefield of death, where making the right move can double your assets, but the wrong move can wipe you out instantly—there’s no room for struggle.

Later, I started over with only 1000U left. It’s not that these 1000U are special, but I finally understood one thing: to win in contracts, you first have to learn how not to die.

When the direction is right, a single point can double your money. When the direction is wrong, no amount of capital can stop the loss. I once tried: using 1200U to trade a mainstream coin, splitting it into 10 parts of 120U each, leveraging hundreds of times. It sounds bold, but behind it are strict rules supporting it.

From 1000U to 260,000U, I relied on these five rules carved into my bones:

1. Once a position loses, cut the loss immediately—never hope for a rebound. In contracts, hope is the most expensive luxury.

2. After five consecutive stop-losses, close the software for the day and don’t touch the keyboard again. This is self-protection.

3. Withdraw a portion every time you earn 1200U. Don’t let the numbers in your account numb your judgment.

4. Only trade in trending markets; avoid choppy markets at all costs. During sideways periods, contracts are like a meat grinder; only when a trend appears is it a real accelerator.

5. Never risk more than 10% of your principal on a single position. This is the most critical rule.

Some might think these rules are “too conservative.” But it’s precisely these seemingly conservative disciplines that give me the confidence to repeatedly trade with high leverage. When the position is light, the mindset is stable; when the mindset is stable, your hands won’t shake.

Contracts are never a shortcut to get rich overnight; they are a brutal elimination game. Most people fall because of greed, only a few survive. Those who survive share one common trait: they can stick to discipline to the end and won’t miss real opportunities.

Don’t expect to turn things around in one shot—the market is best at punishing those who are disobedient. Those who can survive long and earn steadily in the market are always those who reach out but don’t gamble their lives.

Remember this, and you’ve already surpassed most people.