Here’s some heartfelt advice: many friends have hustled in the crypto world for years, finally getting a chance to cash out their coins, only to stumble at the very last step.

I’ve seen too many cases like this—transaction records show the crypto has been sold, but the money never arrives, and worse, the bank card gets locked first. Only those who’ve been through it know how frustrating this is.

**Three Pitfalls Newbies Love to Fall Into**

First: getting tempted by high exchange rates. Some unknown vendors offer irresistible rates, a few points higher than official channels. But have you considered what happens if there’s an issue with that money? Your card is at risk. “Penny wise, pound foolish” isn’t just a saying.

The second is even more dangerous: using your salary card to receive funds. If something goes wrong with this card, you might not get your next paycheck—what about rent or your mortgage? Your life turns chaotic in an instant.

The third is about transaction amounts. Some people want to do it all at once, receiving hundreds of thousands in a single go, not realizing that banks closely monitor large transactions. A single big transfer can trigger an alert, and your card could be frozen in no time.

**How to Operate Safely?**

Smart people always get a separate “dedicated card,” preferably from Postal Savings Bank or a small local bank, used solely for these transactions and completely separate from your regular cards. If something goes wrong, it won’t affect your daily life.

There are also rules for the amount: don’t exceed 50,000 RMB per transaction. As soon as the money arrives, transfer it immediately to a flexible account like Yu’e Bao or Lingqiantong. Don’t let large sums sit in your card for too long.

Another key detail: have the other party transfer from an account in the same name. It’s a bit of a hassle, but if there’s a dispute, this could be crucial evidence.

**Why Do Cards Get Frozen?**

Simply put, it’s because the source of funds is problematic. If the other party’s money is linked to telecom fraud, your card is basically done for, and unfreezing it is harder than you can imagine.

Funds related to gambling are slightly better—the freezing is slower and you might have a chance to negotiate unfreezing. But no one can guarantee 100% safety, right?

Many veterans have smooth experiences at first, but one slip-up and they get caught. You can never let your guard down with this.

**What to Do If Your Card Gets Frozen?**

First, immediately stop using all your bank cards to prevent a chain reaction. Then, contact your bank’s customer service to get the number of the freezing authority and proactively reach out to communicate.

Prepare all required documents in advance: transfer records, chat logs, income proof (pay stubs work best). When talking to them, be careful with your wording—just say you’re a regular user of a legitimate platform and are willing to cooperate with the investigation. Remember, never mention cryptocurrencies.

**Advanced Tactics, for Those in the Know**

Some people use Hong Kong brokerages to buy U.S. stocks and cash out in physical gold. Others find trusted contacts to exchange for Hong Kong dollars or USDT offline. While this costs about 2%, it’s safer and more controllable.

**The Ultimate Prevention Secret**

The core is just two words: diversify!

Have at least three cards from different banks and rotate them. Each withdrawal should not exceed the total six-month transaction volume of that card. For large withdrawals, test with smaller amounts first and proceed only after confirming there are no issues.

At the end of the day, cashing out crypto is much more complicated than you might think. Those who know the ropes have already made thorough plans and won’t panic when problems arise.

Those who don’t? They may see all their hard-earned money go down the drain at the very last step.

These are hard-earned lessons, and I hope they help you if you’re reading this.