Trading for over a year and your account still hovers at a small amount? The problem might not be the market, but your approach.

The rules of the crypto market are actually very harsh: some achieve asset growth through systematic operations, while many others burn through their principal in chaotic tinkering. What's the difference? It often comes down to a few overlooked ironclad principles.

**Survival Rules for Small Capital**

If your starting capital isn't large (say, one or two ten-thousand yuan), full-position trading is like going all-in at a casino, which is unfavorable to you. A smarter approach is to stay patient; within a year, catching just 3 major upward waves is enough to change your account’s outlook. Before the market arrives, holding cash and waiting is actually your strongest weapon. It may sound like wasting time, but in reality, it’s about protecting your principal—and your principal is your opportunity to strike again.

**Cognitive Boundaries Determine Profit Ceiling**

Many overlook a fact: you can't earn more than your level of understanding. Before officially trading, thorough practice on a demo account is essential. The advantage of a demo is high tolerance for mistakes and zero failure cost, but real trading is different—one major mistake could mean elimination. Cultivating the right mindset and courage must happen in a risk-controlled environment.

**Trap of Good News**

The market has a classic rule: if a major positive event lands and there's no rally on the same day, a high open the next day is likely a signal to exit. Exiting promptly at this point is often better than waiting—greed can trap you. Slow, gradual declines are the most torturous, with rebounds seeming powerless; but when the decline accelerates, rebounds tend to come back fiercely. Timing this rhythm is crucial.

**Holiday Risks**

Historical data repeatedly confirms a rule: reducing or even completely exiting positions before holidays is wise. During long holidays, markets are prone to unexpected volatility, and avoiding risk in advance is more cost-effective than relying on luck.

**Essence of Mid-Long Term Trading**

If you choose a mid-long term approach, the key is to maintain sufficient cash reserves, and amplify gains through high sell and low buy, rolling operations. Don’t try to ride one wave to the end—this is the game of the big players. Retail traders should participate multiple times, controlling risk in cycles.

**Criteria for Short-Term Coin Selection**

Short-term trading must focus on coins with active trading volume and large price swings. Inactive assets waste time and drain your mindset; opportunity cost is too high. $FRAX Active coins like these are more likely to generate trading opportunities in the short term.

**Importance of Stop-Loss**

If you buy wrong, admit it and cut losses immediately. It sounds harsh, but it’s fundamental for survival— as long as your principal remains, opportunities are always there. Many people lose big not because of a single loss, but because they refuse to stop loss in time, leading to heavy bleeding.

**Technical Tools for Short-Term Trading**

When doing short-term trading and monitoring the market, the 15-minute K-line combined with the KDJ indicator can help you find many effective buy and sell points. You don’t need to master all technical indicators—being proficient in one or two methods and practicing them to perfection is enough.

**Cost of Experience**

Every rule in the crypto market is learned through lessons paid with real funds. Avoiding detours is itself a way to make money. If you’re still experimenting in confusion, consider systematically learning these methodologies to make your exploration more efficient.