From Account Burn to Stable Profit: Survival Rules in the Crypto Market

Three years of navigating the cryptocurrency market have taught me a costly lesson: making money is secondary; survival is the top priority. I have burned through my account three times, gone into debt, and fallen into despair when my balance was only a few thousand dollars. But those falls forced me to completely change my approach. This article is not to boast about achievements but to share a different path: Slower, Safer, But More Sustainable. Starting from the Very Bottom: When I No Longer Have the Right to “Bet Big” The third account burn happened in August 2020. After paying off my credit card debt, I was left with only 1,800 USDT. While many around me were shouting about 20x, 50x leverage and dreams of quick wealth, I asked myself a very simple question: “If I lose this remaining money, what do I have left to continue trading?” The answer was nothing. So, I decided to go against the crowd: no high leverage, no all-in bets, no gambling on luck. Capital Allocation: The Foundation of Survival I divided the 1,800 USDT into 6 parts, each 300 USDT. None of these parts was large enough to cause panic if lost, but enough to motivate if successful. My allocation principles gradually became standardized into a system: 60% for core assets: Bitcoin and Ethereum – less volatile, high liquidity, suitable for long-term holding.20% for promising altcoins: only select projects with clear cash flow and stories.20% remaining in stablecoins or cash: ready for unexpected opportunities or to protect the account during market downturns. Additionally, I don’t keep all assets on one platform but spread across multiple exchanges and wallets. This helps reduce systemic risk and keeps my mindset stable. Results come very slowly but surely: First week: +420 USDTSecond week: surpassing 3,000 USDTThird week: reaching 6,200 USDT It’s not luck. It’s the result of no longer taking reckless risks. Emotional Control: Escaping the “Revenge Trading” Trap After losses, the biggest enemy is not the market but myself. The desire to quickly recover losses often pushes many into a deeper cycle of losses. I changed by: Setting strict rules before entering a trade: predefined take profit and stop loss points, no mid-trade adjustments.Reducing screen time: no longer staring at charts all day.Accepting imperfection: no need to buy at the bottom or sell at the top, just aim for steady profits and small losses. When emotions no longer control my finger presses, the win rate naturally increases. Practical Strategy: Only Doing What I Understand I don’t try to trade every wave. I only choose what I clearly understand: Focus on major coins like BTC, ETH, SOL.Don’t chase prices during market euphoria.Buy when the crowd is fearful, gradually sell as greed spreads.Use automation tools to take profits and cut losses according to plan, avoiding emotional interference.Record every trade to periodically evaluate win rates and risk levels. The market always offers opportunities; the question is whether you still have money and clarity to seize them. Current Perspective: Defense First, Offense Later In volatile phases, I prioritize the “core + satellite” strategy: Core part: stable assets and periodic investments.Satellite part: new themes like AI, RWA, emerging ecosystems – but only small investments and thorough cash flow analysis.Always keep some cash on hand to handle sudden crashes. I don’t need to enter trades first; I only stay in the market when a genuine trend forms. Conclusion: The Winner Is the One Who Stays Until the End From 1,800 USDT to over 53,000 USDT, my biggest change wasn’t technical but mental: From gambling mentality → risk management mindsetFrom wanting quick gains → accepting slow progressFrom bragging about profits → prioritizing sustainability In a market where the only rule is not to be eliminated, patience is the strongest leverage. I wish you not only survive in crypto but also stay calm and disciplined enough to enter the next growth cycle with a stronger position.