The account fell from its peak to its lowest point, and the despair at that moment was indescribable. What does a loss of 500,000 mean? For many people, it might represent their entire livelihood. But more importantly—how to get out of this trough?

During the hardest times last year, I lay in bed repeatedly asking myself the same question, my mind frozen. Two months later, I summoned the courage to turn on my computer, leaving only 3,400 USDT in the account. This number seemed insignificant, but it changed my perception of the entire market.

Over the course of a year, I not only filled the 500,000 gap but also accumulated over twenty thousand more. This process was not based on luck but achieved through three ironclad trading rules.

**First: Always keep ammunition; surviving is the top priority**

I used to be a full-position believer. Seeing the market start, I would rush in with all I had, often ending in liquidation. After countless painful lessons, I set an unbreakable rule for myself: no single position exceeding 40% of total funds, and a 15% floating loss triggers an unconditional stop-loss.

It sounds easy, but actually doing it requires unimaginable discipline. Especially during turbulent market conditions, the urge to bet everything is like the devil’s whisper. But I understand one principle clearly: surviving in this market is the biggest win. As long as there are bullets in the account, there’s always a chance to come back.

Now I control large trades more strictly, usually allocating only about 20% of my funds. While this won’t make you rich in one move, it ensures you won’t be wiped out by a single fluctuation.

**Second: Stop-loss is more worthwhile than profit**

Many people have heard of stop-loss, but few actually press the sell button during a decline. Psychologically, this is called loss aversion—watching floating losses, always hoping for a rebound. But what often comes is an even deeper loss.

My approach is to set stop-loss mechanically. I don’t look at the ups and downs, I don’t read the news—15% is 15%. After executing it, I leave the market for at least three days to let my emotions cool down. This is not avoidance, but to prevent revenge trading after a loss.

**Third: Build positions gradually, always leave room for uncertainty**

Certainty is almost nonexistent in the crypto market. Even the most promising coins can experience unexpected pullbacks. So I abandoned the one-time position building method and instead add gradually in three to five steps.

What’s the benefit? If the price rises as expected, you can continue adding at higher levels, balancing your overall cost. If you happen to get caught in a dip, you only lose the first batch of funds, not everything. This strategy may seem to sacrifice efficiency, but in reality, it protects your principal.

**The underlying logic from 500,000 to turning the tide**

Many ask me, with the market so competitive now, how can one achieve stable profits? My answer is always: learn not to lose money first. Traders who don’t lose money can survive longer, and surviving longer gives you the chance to encounter real opportunities.

The reason I was able to turn things around with only 3,400 USDT is not because I found some 100x coin, but because I used rules to confine myself within a risk-controlled framework. Every trade, I ask myself three questions: What’s the worst-case scenario? Can I handle it? How will I execute the plan?

The crypto market is always there, and opportunities are always present. Instead of chasing overnight riches, it’s better to use ironclad rules to forge yourself into a trader who can survive long enough.