Sideways Market Not Making Money? "Turtle Trading" Helps You Survive and Profit in Crypto

Others are greedy, I am cautious. Others panic, I remain calm. That is the secret to longevity in the cryptocurrency market. Recently, coin prices have been fluctuating constantly, not following any clear trend. In chat groups, many people complain: blaming the market for not “running trends,” blaming the untrustworthy project teams, blaming the chaotic news… in general, any fault is acceptable, except their own. But if you look closely, you will see that there are still people making steady profits during sideways movements, and when the market breaks out, they confidently increase their positions to maximize profits. Participating in the same market, why do the results differ so much? After years of observation and experience, one very clear truth is: most losses do not come from lack of analysis skills, but from letting emotions drive decisions. Why Do You Often Buy High and Sell Low? Try asking yourself a few questions: When you see a coin increase by 20%–50% in a short period, do you feel afraid of missing out and rush to buy? When the price hits your preset stop-loss point, do you hesitate, hope it will “recover,” and let the loss grow? If your answer is “yes,” then you are very likely letting emotions make your decisions. The crypto market operates 24/7 with high volatility, amplifying all psychological states: fear of missing out, greed, panic. Just one moment of losing composure can wipe out your entire trading plan. Long-term market participants are not necessarily the smartest, but the most disciplined. Three Market States, Three Mindsets to “Make Money” Sideways Market: Learn to Be Patient Like a Turtle When the market shows no clear trend, many people get “itchy” and want to trade continuously to feel like they are taking action. The result: no profits yet, but trading fees erode the account. Wise traders do the opposite: be patient and wait. Define your price zones, buy in parts when hitting support, and sell in parts when facing resistance. Don’t aim to catch the entire fish, just take the best parts. Downtrend Market: Stay Calm Amid Panic When prices plummet, fear dominates the atmosphere. However, this is also when many good assets are sold off due to herd mentality. The key is not to rush “bottom fishing,” but to reassess: is the overall market bad, or does the project you hold have real issues? If it’s just a short-term market impact, it could be an opportunity to accumulate at a better price. Bull Market: Be Cautious When Everyone Is Excited When the market booms, everywhere you see “experts.” Rapid profits can make people forget about risks. Experienced investors often set clear profit-taking goals: they may withdraw their principal when the account doubles to reduce psychological pressure, or use flexible take-profit points when prices correct from the peak. You don’t need to catch the entire wave, just focus on bringing profits home safely. Practical Principles for Long-Term Success Create and Follow a Plan Before each trade, clearly define your entry point, exit point, stop-loss level, and position size. Once in the trade, act like a machine—don’t let emotions interfere. Capital Management, Psychological Control Use idle funds, don’t put all your assets into one trade. The lighter your position, the more stable your mindset. Reduce Noise, Increase Independent Thinking The market is full of rumors and buy/sell calls. Take time to research the project, technology, and real-world applications. The deeper your understanding, the less you will be swayed. Rest at the Right Time Constantly monitoring prices can lead to fatigue and impulsive decisions. Sometimes stepping away from the screen for a while helps you see the market more clearly. Conclusion Opportunities in crypto have never been lacking. What’s missing are those who remain calm enough to observe, flexible enough to adapt strategies, and disciplined enough to move forward or back at the right moments. When you stop letting emotions control you, and learn to adapt to each market condition, you will realize: sustainable profits do not come from correct predictions, but from the ability to adapt. Treat each sideways phase as a training period, each correction as a test of resilience. Be patient, accumulate experience, and sooner or later, you will achieve worthy results. The market doesn’t favor anyone, but you can learn to flow with its rhythm. That is the true path to survival in the world of cryptocurrencies.