Have you ever stopped to think about what separates an average trader from someone who truly makes a difference in the markets? I was reading about the story of a guy who deserves much more attention: Takashi Kotegawa, better known as BNF in trading circles.

So, it all started quite modestly. BNF began in the early 2000s with just 1.5 million yen, about $13,000. Self-taught, without the typical corporate background of a trader. He simply read books, experimented in the markets, and learned through practice. Few know the full story of this BNF trader, but it’s absolutely fascinating.

What set BNF apart wasn’t luck. It was pure discipline. The guy traded day trading, buying and selling within the same day to capitalize on quick moves. But he had three well-defined principles: first, incredible decision speed—literally seconds between spotting an opportunity and executing. Second, obsessive risk management—never over-leveraged, cut losses quickly when things didn’t work. Third, he understood market psychology in a way few do. He knew how other traders would react, and used that to his advantage.

Then comes the turning point everyone talks about: the LiveDoor scandal in 2005. The Japanese market was in total panic, with massive liquidation happening. While most people ran away, this BNF trader saw opportunity where others saw chaos. He aggressively bought undervalued stocks, betting that the panic was exaggerated. The recovery came, and his portfolio skyrocketed. This kind of move is what separates those who stay rich from those who stay poor.

The cool part is that BNF wasn’t satisfied and stopped. He kept applying the same strategy, accumulating gains, reinvesting profits. Compound upon compound. From $13,000 to $153 million. That’s the power of doing the right things consistently over years.

For those wanting to learn from this: discipline is everything, it’s not about luck. Staying calm when everything is crashing is crucial. And continuous learning, because nobody is born knowing everything.

This story of BNF proves that it’s possible. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. Perseverance and solid strategy lead to results that seem impossible. Meanwhile, here at Gate, we keep an eye on asset movements. APT is at 0.84 with a 1.33% drop, SUI at 0.85 with -2.10%, FTM at 0.04 and stable. It’s worth watching these movements if you’re looking for opportunities in the market.