Survival Rules in the Market: The Three "Stupid Principles" That Help Me Survive Every Bull-Bear Cycle

Crypto market buddies probably all have heard stories of “5x, 10x overnight.” But few tell you about the thousands of accounts that quietly disappear after each cycle. I’ve been in this market long enough to understand a harsh truth: Crypto isn’t lacking smart people, it’s lacking those willing to survive long enough. Over the years, I’ve experienced multiple crashes, sudden bad news, projects going to zero, and market freezes. What keeps me from being kicked out of the game isn’t sophisticated tactics, but three very “stupid” rules: don’t be greedy – don’t chase – don’t panic. It sounds simple, but 90% of losers stumble right at the first rule. Rule 1: Capital Management Is Life – Never Fire All Your Ammo I have a strict rule: never use more than 30% of your total capital on a single trade. Even when Bitcoin surpasses $100,000, even when “everyone says it’s a sure thing,” I always keep at least 70% of my capital. Why? Because the crypto market exists to slap those overconfident. The trend you’re sure will reverse can change after just one tweet. The project you’re hopeful about can crash overnight due to a contract bug or team fleeing. Full margin, full capital is no different from going all-in at a gambling table: win, and you’re done; lose, and you’re out. But when you keep some capital: If you’re wrong, you can cut losses, and not be defeated; If you’re right, you have money to increase your position; If it crashes hard, you still have ammo to keep going. This isn’t cowardice; it’s survival thinking. In crypto, surviving is ten times more important than quick gains. Rule 2: Give Up the “One Night to Change Your Life” Dream – Only Take Profits You Understand Clearly Many people lose heavily because of two words: greed. They rush into “coin x100,” “hot coin,” “just-listed coin,” hoping to change their lives quickly. The result is often only one: becoming liquidity for others. My strategy is completely opposite: Don’t chase coins that have doubled or tripled; Don’t FOMO on rumors; Only participate in areas I understand well and where the flow of money is clear. I prioritize trends with real value, for example: RWA (tokenizing real assets)Prediction Market (prediction markets)Infrastructure, platforms with genuine users and real cash flow I only expect 5–10% profit per trade, which sounds small. But if you do this consistently, the power of compound interest will far surpass gambling once. Remember: You only see others bragging about a trade earning hundreds of thousands of dollars. You don’t see the 99 times they earn small amounts to build their foundation. Rule 3: Use Market Emotions as a Contrarian Indicator When the market is euphoric, I become cautious. When everyone is panicking and selling off, I stay calm and observe. Emotions are the most honest indicator of the market – but most people become slaves to them. When everyone fears “missing the boat” (FOMO), they buy at the highest prices. When bad news floods in, they sell at the bottom. A clear example: meme coins or DOGE exploding. When social media is flooded with “to the moon,” many rush in at the peak. I choose to gradually reduce my positions while the market is crazy, waiting for things to cool down before considering new opportunities. Your biggest advantage isn’t information, but a steady mindset. Think differently from the crowd, at least ask yourself: “If everyone believes this, is there still an opportunity?” Why Is “Slow and Steady” the Fastest Way? This strategy isn’t glamorous. It’s not dramatic. It can even be… boring at times. But in return, it gives you three extremely important things: Longevity in the market: not being eliminated due to a mistake; Stable psychology: no sleepless nights over price swings; Real opportunities: when the market crashes hard, you still have money to act. Most losers want shortcuts. In the end, they spend more time and even lose the chance to come back. This market doesn’t reward the smartest, but rewards the most disciplined. Conclusion If you’re tired of: Chasing prices; Burning through accounts; Being driven by emotions every day; Then maybe it’s time to change your mindset: 👉 Don’t think about big wins first, make sure you’re still in the game. Crypto isn’t short of opportunities. The rarest thing is someone patient enough to wait until the opportunity appears. Learning, discipline, and survival mindset – that’s your greatest asset in this market.