Want to make a living through trading? Then you first need to thoroughly understand the rules of the crypto game.

I've been in this circle for ten years and have seen too many people come in and get washed out. I’ve experienced the full cycle of coins like ETH, SOL, XRP from bottom to peak. Honestly, my biggest takeaway isn’t how much money I made, but understanding what it means to "stay alive."

Groups of people around me have disappeared one after another; only one type of people survive — those who truly follow the rules.

**Rule 1: First look at the structure, then look at the sentiment**

The biggest trap in short-term trading is being misled by larger cycles. The real rhythm is often hidden in smaller timeframes, so you need to learn to switch perspectives between different cycles. Staring at the daily chart and doing nothing might cause you to miss hourly opportunities.

**Rule 2: Don’t act before the trend is formed**

When the direction is unclear, trading more frequently only accelerates losses. It’s better to stay on the sidelines and wait for certainty than to trade chaotically. Many people's losses accumulate this way — small loss on one trade, medium loss on two, big loss on three.

**Rule 3: Short-term trades must revolve around the main trend**

Only coins with capital attention can continue to profit from short-term fluctuations. Those obscure small coins, no matter how much they rise, could be traps. Follow the rhythm of mainstream coins; your success rate will be much higher.

**Rule 4: Follow the plan, don’t rely on feelings**

Impulsive trades are often the start of losses. Make a trading plan and follow it step by step. The market is tempting, but that "I feel this wave will rise" impulse often causes you to lose what you previously gained.

**Rule 5: Others’ opinions are just references**

Listening to influencers’ analysis is fine, but if you haven’t done your own analysis, you won’t hold your position in real volatility. The biggest devil in this circle is "groupthink." What you need is your own logical framework.

**Rule 6: The order must not be reversed**

First judge the trend, then choose the target. Never pick a coin first and then look for reasons afterward. 90% of people who do this will regret it.

**Rule 7: Don’t bottom fish, follow the trend**

Guessing the turning point during a decline? That’s a game of life and death. Every rebound in a downtrend is a trap. Wait until the downtrend truly stops and the trend reverses before entering. The risk is always greater than the opportunity.

**Rule 8: Stop after big volatility**

Whether you profit or lose, it’s the same. Stop first, review your trades, and stabilize your mindset. Then decide your next move. Many people blow up their accounts because they get overconfident after making some money or go crazy adding positions after a loss.

---

I’ve helped many people climb from the lows and also seen too many blow up their accounts before truly understanding the "meaning of the rules." Opportunities are never lacking; the market offers them every day. But opportunities only favor those who are prepared — they never wait for the hesitant.

The current market is exactly the time to recover and turn things around. Want to flip the script? It all depends on whether you dare to follow the rules.