Having traded cryptocurrencies for 8 years, from a small retail investor to a net worth of 50 million, I realize that making money has nothing to do with luck. Those seemingly complex strategies are actually all based on these 10 most fundamental trading principles.

**The First Rule for Small Capital**
Have less than 200,000 in your account? Then don’t think about going all-in every day. The real goal should be simple: catch one major upward wave per year. Frequent trading only eats away at your profits through fees and emotional swings. In the end, you might not even be able to preserve your principal.

**Your Earnings Are Limited by Your Mindset**
This may sound harsh, but demo trading can only help you practice mentality and discipline. Real losses in live trading are the true elimination process. You can never earn beyond your cognitive limits. This is not motivational talk; it’s a rule.

**Profit Realization Is a Signal to Reduce Positions**
The market always leads with news. When good news is announced? That’s often the turning point of the current rally. If the next day opens high, sell your positions—don’t wait.

**Cool Down Before Holidays**
A week before any major holiday, my move is to reduce or clear my positions. This is hard-earned experience from countless "holiday dives" accumulated by veteran traders.

**Long-term Is Not Just Holding, It’s Using Cash**
Your account should always have available funds. Sell in parts at high levels, buy back after sharp drops. This cycle is the true source of compound growth. Don’t be brainwashed by the idea that “holding will make you money.”

**Focus Only on These Two Things for Short-term Trading**
Trading volume and candlestick patterns. Coins without volume, no matter how good the story, should be avoided. Only trade assets with popularity and volatility.

**The "Rhythm" of Declines Is a Signal**
Slow declines indicate weak rebounds; rapid drops suggest quick rebounds. The rhythm itself is the most important information—don’t rely on too many indicators.

**Admitting Defeat Is More Valuable Than Toughing It Out**
Stop-loss isn’t failure; it’s a basic professional trait. As long as your principal is alive, opportunities remain. Fighting the market? That’s just asking for death.

**15-Minute Candlestick Charts Are a Must**
Combine candlestick patterns with KDJ indicators, and only trade high-probability ranges. Don’t expect to buy at the bottom or sell at the top—that’s unrealistic.

**Stick to a Set of Strategies Until They’re Exhausted**
Truly profitable traders are often "boring." Repeatedly applying a few proven strategies is enough. Knowing a little about everything means you’re good at nothing. In crypto, it’s not about who’s smarter, but who survives longer, makes fewer mistakes, and executes steadily.