9 Years in Bull and Bear Markets: Why "Quick Money" Is Your Biggest Enemy

Since 2017, I have been living through the cryptocurrency world with all its ups and downs. Nine years of bull and bear markets have taught me that the market exposes people in a thousand different ways. The honest conclusion: In the cryptocurrency world, “success” is not how much you once earned, but whether that money is still in your pocket years later.

I have observed how almost every market participant has experienced their “brilliant moments”—moments when everything went right and profits flowed. But in the end, most have become “fuel” for the market. The few who truly managed to get through multiple bull and bear markets and advance their wealth accumulation were not necessarily the smartest—they were just the ones who understood best how to let go of the desire for quick gains.

Bull and bear markets are shifts in consensus, not just price jumps

The key misconception: many think that every bull market repeats the same pattern. That is false. Every real bull market is essentially an upgrade of market consensus—a fundamental rethinking where everyone participates with new rules. History clearly shows this:

In the ICO era, the consensus was “democratized funding for dreams.” New projects emerged everywhere; everyone wanted to find the next disruption.

The DeFi summer established a new consensus: “Be your own bank.” Decentralized finance promised financial independence without traditional intermediaries.

The NFT boom brought a new narrative: “Find identity through digital artworks.” The market shifted from purely financial utility to cultural significance.

In the meme phase, another consensus emerged: “Find fun and community through memes.” The market became more playful, more democratic.

Every time we emerge from a bear market, it’s not just because prices are rising again. It’s because the fundamental consensus of the markets has shifted. Those who only stare at candlesticks and try to buy at the top and sell at the bottom will always be the last to receive the information.

From speculation to investment: the crucial distinction

How can you spot opportunities in advance? There are three concrete ways:

First: Understand the data. On-chain data is your moat. It shows you who is moving, how much volume is flowing, where the “whales” are building their positions. This is real informational advantage—not speculation, but analysis.

Second: Find your community. Genuine insider information about future trends flows into high-quality communities. Not in Discord groups full of beginners, but where makers and builders exchange ideas.

Third: Consciously separate speculation from investment. Allocate a small part of your leisure assets to higher-risk opportunities, but put your long-term wealth into projects you truly believe in. Emotions are the biggest enemy—in both cases.

But most importantly: find your “Why”.

If you only enter to get rich, you will definitely panic and lose everything in the next bear market. But if you believe this is “the chance for ordinary people against the traditional financial system,” if you believe in “financial sovereignty”—then you can also trade sideways for three years without losing your conviction.

Thinking about quick gains not only drains your wallet but also your inner belief. And when that belief collapses, every profit ultimately becomes zero.

The future belongs to those who stay

The cryptocurrency world is the most honest battleground that deals with all kinds of greed and impatience. May we all be patient and endure long enough—to see ourselves again at the peak of the next bull market.

Current market data (as of February 2026): BTC is at 73,842.90 USD (-1.50%), ETH at 2,188.26 USD (-0.72%), BNB at 718.39 USD (-5.30%).