Cryptocurrencies on the gainers list have always been traps for shorting. They seem full of opportunities, but hidden risks lurk beneath.

First is the emotional barrier. Hot coins on the list often carry the collective restlessness of the market, with retail investors following the herd to chase highs. In such an atmosphere, it’s hard for bears to make a move. Second, coins with small circulating supply are easiest for the main players to manipulate—prices can’t be pushed down easily and are instead easily squeezed higher, with capital replenishment costs skyrocketing. Even more painfully, price movements themselves can be deceptive. What looks like a pullback is actually a shakeout during an upward push, and market false signals can easily trap you.

There’s also the accounting—when short positions are concentrated, funding rates soar, and holding positions long-term drains funds and damages mental resilience. Lastly, the trap of catching the top: during a frenzy, the rally is often more insane than your most aggressive predictions, putting enormous pressure on both longs and shorts.

How to survive longer? It’s simple: stay away from non-mainstream coins on the gainers list, focus on core coins with ample liquidity; don’t enter markets you don’t understand, wait until the market cools down and reassess. Recently, those skyrocketing coins are indeed tempting, but don’t touch short positions at high levels. Consider the current market heat and your risk tolerance. In the crypto world, it’s not about who’s the most accurate predictor, but who can survive until the end and laugh last.