At 2 a.m., the stop-loss SMS alert sounded again. Watching the account figures change, this has been my third profound lesson in the crypto market.

Three years ago, I entered the futures world full of hope, with my mind filled with the idea of "leveraging to change life." Reality gave me a slap — my first liquidation wiped out half a year's salary. The most painful part was that I knew I should stop loss, but I kept thinking "just wait a bit longer, I’ll break even."

Now I finally understand a principle: there’s no secret to futures trading, just survive longer than others. Those who make money rely not on having superior prediction skills, but on being ruthless with their capital management.

**Tip 1: Take profits when the time is right, don’t be blinded by candlestick patterns**

The biggest mistake beginners make is treating a position as a lifelong partner. Buy in and hold on, thinking a 10% increase is just a appetizer, and when it hits 20%, start dreaming of doubling. Then, often a pullback occurs, and profits instantly turn into losses — the speed is terrifying.

My current approach is straightforward: when gains reach 10%, start paying attention. Once the price reverses toward the cost basis, act quickly. When it hits 20%, I’ll lock in half of the profits. Even if it continues to rise afterward, I won’t regret "selling too early" — the gains already secured are a victory.

Futures are fundamentally just a tool. Big institutions use them to hedge risks, but we often treat them as gambling tools. That mindset is completely wrong.

**Tip 2: Stick to a 15% loss limit**

Last year, I took a hit on a hot coin: initially a 10% loss, I stubbornly held on until it reached 30%. Why? Just for a false "rebound." As a result, the chance to recover funds was slim, and I missed the opportunity to switch positions.

Now the rule is simple — cut losses at 15%, no more watching, no more thinking, no more regrets. If a rebound happens, the next wave of market movement will come, and the opportunity is worth much more than the face value of the account.