Speak the truth: making money in the crypto world is faster than riding a rocket, but losing money hits harder than jumping into the water.

My own story is quite surreal — I once turned 3000U into 130,000U at the peak, then overnight it was back to zero. These aren’t stories I’ve heard; they are lessons I learned the hard way through blood and sweat. Last year, I used 3000U as my principal, only trading with 300U each time, using 100x leverage. When the market moves in your favor, just one point can double your money; if the trend reverses, it’s an instant liquidation. Surviving until now has depended on these five survival rules.

**Rule 1: Cut your losses immediately, don’t hesitate.** Stop-loss orders should be executed as soon as they trigger. Cutting losses is always better than getting wiped out. The most vivid example was when I cut three trades in a row, losing 900U, but I kept 2100U of principal intact. Having capital means having a chance to turn things around; if your account hits zero, you can’t do anything.

**Rule 2: Stop after five consecutive losses.** When the market is chaotic, stubbornly holding on is suicide. I set up a circuit breaker for myself — after five consecutive losses, I shut down and cool off. That’s what I did last November: after five straight losses, I stopped trading. The next day, ETH plummeted 20% — if I had still been in, my 3000U would have been gone.

**Rule 3: Withdraw your profits immediately.** The numbers in your account are just virtual; if you don’t take the money out, it could disappear at any moment. My simple rule: withdraw half of the profit once I make 3000U. In December last year, I grew my account from 8000U to 50,000U, and I took out 25,000U that day to store in my wallet, then kept rolling the rest.

**Rule 4: Only follow trending directions, avoid sideways markets.** In a trending market, 100x leverage is like printing money, but in sideways markets, it’s a meat grinder. When there’s no clear trend, I prefer to stay still. During the ETH rally from 2200 to 2800, I used 300U to reach 4800U because the trend was strong and the direction was clear.

**Rule 5: Never risk more than 10% of your principal on a single trade.** Starting with 300U each time, you can afford to lose without blowing up. Smaller positions keep your mind clear and allow for decisive actions. I’ve seen too many people go all-in, only to get wiped out on a small correction, losing all chances to bounce back.

One last old saying: trading contracts isn’t a playground for overnight riches; it’s a long-term battle that tests patience. Memorize these five rules, and you’ll have a better chance of surviving longer in this market.