When I first started trading cryptocurrencies, I was no different from most beginners—staring at the screen all day, chasing highs and selling lows, frequently getting liquidated, with insomnia and anxiety taking over. That period was really tough.

It wasn't until later that I realized one thing: instead of treating trading as gambling, it's better to treat it as a formal job. Trading after work hours, executing according to a plan, sticking to discipline—by changing my mindset like this, the results were completely different.

The following experiences are lessons learned through real trading, full of blood, sweat, and tears, and are especially suitable for friends still in the exploration stage:

**Timing is Critical**

Market conditions during the day are particularly chaotic, news flying everywhere, candlesticks bouncing wildly up and down. I now mostly only trade after 9 PM, when important information has been digested and the market is relatively stable, making the trend more apparent.

**Take Profits When You Have Them**

Greed is the biggest enemy in trading. For example, if you make 1000U, don’t think about doubling it; first lock in 300U as profit, then keep playing with the remaining. I’ve seen many people earn three times their investment and still want five times, only for a correction to wipe everything out, even losing their principal. That feeling, I guess, they still fear even now.

**Don’t Rely on Feelings for Indicators**

"The feeling" is the fastest way to get liquidated. Install TradingView and carefully watch these three basic indicators: whether MACD shows a golden or death cross signal, whether RSI is in overbought or oversold zones, and whether Bollinger Bands are narrowing or breaking out. At least two of these indicators should agree before considering entering the market.

**Adjust Stop-Losses Actively**

When you are watching the market, as prices go up, raise your stop-loss accordingly. For example, buy at 1000, and if it rises to 1100, move your stop-loss to 1050. This way, you can preserve profits and continue riding the trend. If you can’t monitor constantly, set a hard stop-loss at 3% to prevent a sudden crash from wiping out everything.

**Have a Plan for Withdrawals**

The numbers in your account are just figures; the real money is only when it hits your bank account. Every time you make a profit, withdraw 30%-50%. Don’t hold onto the dream of multiplying your investment tenfold. Doing so not only preserves your gains but also keeps your mindset stable.

**There Are Nuances in Reading Candlestick Charts**

For short-term trading, focus mainly on the 1-hour chart. When you see two consecutive bullish candles, consider a long position. If the market is sideways, switch to the 4-hour chart to find support levels, and consider entering only when the price approaches support.

**Avoid These Traps**

Using high leverage and holding large positions is an absolute no-go; if you judge the wrong direction, you'll lose everything. Don’t mess with unknown altcoins—they are easy to get liquidated or scammed. Limit yourself to placing no more than three orders per day; more than that can lead to emotional trading and losing your composure. Lastly, never borrow money to trade cryptocurrencies—there’s no room for compromise on this rule.

Trading, at its core, isn’t about impulsive greed and quick riches, but about consistently executing a mature strategy. Treat it like a real job: log in at scheduled times, operate according to your plan, shut down when it’s time, and take proper breaks. Gradually, you'll find that your earnings become more stable.