The crypto world is like a dark forest full of dangers. Data shows that 80% of market fluctuations are secretly manipulated by various tactics. Retail investors need more than luck to survive—they rely on counter-human instincts and calm judgment.

Over the years, those who successfully avoid being harvested have mastered a core set of rules. Let’s break them down.

Timing of big price drops is crucial. If prices keep falling during the day, it can actually be a good opportunity to buy the dip—because after 21:30, overseas funds usually start to push the market up. Conversely, if there’s a big rally during the day, don’t chase high; most of the time, it’s a trap to lure more buyers, and prices are likely to fall back in the evening.

Pinning signals are very subtle. The deeper the market depth, the clearer the buy/sell signals—dipping down is a chance to build a position, while rising up suggests it’s time to consider exiting. Good news can initially push prices higher, but once the announcement is out, it often turns into bad news—this is called a “good news exhausted” scenario.

Be cautious of coins promoted by communities. Projects heavily promoted in groups shouldn’t be blindly followed; instead, taking a small short position is often safer. When a coin’s hype reaches its peak, the risk is also at its highest—it's time to decisively short. Interestingly, when no one is interested in the coins promoted by the group, there might be small-scale trial-and-error opportunities.

Position management determines life or death. Over-leveraging is like putting yourself in a sniper’s crosshairs—being heavily monitored and almost guaranteed to get liquidated. Setting stop-losses may seem safe, but it can also be a trap—after a stop-loss, the market often crashes, with big players clearing retail traders first before pushing prices down. There are many examples like TRB.

Exiting positions also carries risks. When you’re close to breaking even, a sudden rebound can stop abruptly—big players simply won’t give you a chance to escape. After retail traders take profits and exit, selling pressure eases, and big players start to push the market up. Excitement often signals an impending crash—this is a trap set by big players to lure more buyers. The most deadly is FOMO—projects that suddenly skyrocket when you’re broke, forcing retail investors to buy at high prices.

Ultimately, survival in the crypto world is about staying alive and avoiding being harvested. The only advantage retail investors have is patience and resolve. The true trading principle is strict position control, avoiding gambling on single trades, waiting for the right moment, and understanding the big players’ intentions before entering. This isn’t conservatism; it’s survival wisdom. Trading, in essence, is about endurance and resilience.