There is an old saying in the crypto circle: beginners lose to emotions, experts win with discipline. Over the years, I’ve seen too many people stumble over the word "impatience"—either due to technical issues or constantly thinking about making a big score overnight. Conversely, those who have survived two or three market cycles each have their own set of operational standards they’ve developed through experience.

I’ve tested countless strategies with my capital and finally summarized these 8 survival rules.

**Rule 1: The big cycle indicates the direction, the small cycle finds entry points**

When the daily chart is blurry, never open a position. No matter how clear the short-term chart looks, if the overall trend is reversed, all efforts are in vain.

**Rule 2: No clear trend, staying out is also a strategy**

Trading against the trend is like rowing upstream—winning temporarily but losing in the long run. Following the trend minimizes costs; wait until the trend is truly clear before taking action.

**Rule 3: Capital size determines the feasibility of trading**

Short-term market movements rely on capital to amplify. Coins with no popularity or heat are just paying fees when you enter.

**Rule 4: Every trade must have a plan**

Before entering, ask yourself three questions: Why am I entering? Where is the stop-loss? What is the target price? Impulsive trades are nine out of ten times driven by emotions, ending either in cutting losses or getting trapped.

**Rule 5: Gains and losses must be borne by yourself**

Others can’t shoulder your losses. No matter how loud the market noise, the final decision is in your hands.

**Rule 6: Look at the big picture before choosing coins**

If the overall trend is correct, even if your chosen coin isn’t perfect, you can still turn things around; if the big trend is wrong, even the best coin can’t save your account.

**Rule 7: Wait for structural confirmation before acting, don’t try to catch the bottom or top**

The bottom is created through trading, not guessed. Be patient and wait for the right-side signals; this is more important than entering early.

**Rule 8: Stop after big wins or big losses**

When emotions are high or low, trading success rates drop sharply. After doubling your account or experiencing a 20% drawdown, take a day off. Reflecting is more valuable than continuing to trade.

**Why these rules can survive**

The most realistic aspect of the crypto world is that the vast majority of losses stem from a collapse in discipline.

Trading is never about luck; it’s about using systems to lock in risks and rules to suppress greed and fear.

These 8 rules may not seem profound, but those who can stick to them for a whole year already surpass most traders in the market. Reaching this point means you’ve already beaten 90% of people.