Slow is fast, less is more.

The most common question I get is—how did you grow that initial capital? Are you lucky? I usually smile and answer: luck is unreliable; what I rely on is a set of repeatedly tested, simple methods.

I started with just over 1,000 USDT, without any big investor background or guidance. Surviving in the crypto market until now isn’t because of boldness, but because I understand what "not reckless" means. Today, I want to share some practical experiences from these years.

**Level One: Staying Alive Is More Important Than Making Money**

I set two strict rules for myself—no heavy positions, no hard holding.

I’ve seen too many people go all-in with their entire position, only to get liquidated when the market turns. My approach is to strictly control the risk exposure per trade, following the "2% rule," meaning the maximum loss on any single trade cannot exceed 2% of total funds. Sounds slow? But that’s how you survive longer.

The criteria for choosing coins are simple—volatility is necessary, but there must be logical support behind it. I generally avoid small coins that suddenly surge or crash without reason, mainly focusing on mainstream coins, combined with small leverage for testing positions. As long as I make money, I first withdraw the principal, and only then do I let the profits grow through reinvestment.

Many people lose money not because they don’t know how to open positions, but because they try to make more after earning, ultimately giving all profits back. I never do high-frequency trading, nor do I gamble on every market fluctuation. I only take action when the trend is clear and the pattern is well-formed; otherwise, I stay in cash and wait. This approach actually improves efficiency.

**Level Two: Don’t Treat Trading Like Gambling**

I never predict whether the market will go up or down next second, nor do I obsess over bottom-fishing or top-selling. There’s an old market saying—"Don’t catch falling knives." Blindly bottom-fishing during a decline often results in getting caught and losing nine out of ten times.

My method is to wait until the trend is confirmed before acting. Although this means earning a few less points, it helps control drawdowns and risk. Before entering a trade, I ask myself three questions: First, what is the current market structure? Second, where are my risk points? Third, if I make a wrong move, how do I cut losses? Only when I’ve answered these questions clearly do I place real money bets.

Profit-taking also requires discipline. I don’t greedily leave all profits on the table. Usually, I start reducing positions once I’ve gained about 30%, and only then do I hold the remaining profits. This way, I lock in gains and avoid losing everything due to greed.

**Level Three: Mindset Is More Valuable Than Technique**

Honestly, whether you can survive in the crypto market often depends less on trading skills and more on having the right mindset.

Do you get impatient when others make quick money while you grow steadily? Do you panic and cut losses during sharp drawdowns? These are the real tests. I’ve seen many technically skilled traders lose everything because their mindset wasn’t right—getting emotional and making impulsive decisions.

So my advice is—be honest with yourself. Acknowledge your limited risk tolerance, admit you might be wrong about the market, and recognize the need to leave a safety margin. Using the 2% rule, gradual position adjustments, and regular review might seem "slow," but they help you go further.

Many times, slow isn’t a weakness; it’s the ultimate weapon for survival.