The most heartbreaking phenomenon in the crypto world: some people make their first big profit, only to lose it all in the next market wave. This is not an isolated case but a common pattern.

The scariest thing is not failing to make money, but making money and not knowing when to stop. You see your account balance skyrocketing, thinking "Just a little more, the next wave will be bigger," but suddenly the market turns, profits vanish instantly, and even the principal is gone. How fast can this reversal happen? Often within a single night.

Why does this happen? Because most people lack risk management awareness. Once they have gains, their mindset starts to drift. Greed amplifies, and stop-losses are ignored.

Here are three practical rules that can significantly reduce your risk:

**First, take profits on the first successful trade and withdraw the principal**
The core of the first profit isn't about doubling your money, but about pulling out your initial investment. Once the principal is safe, subsequent gains become pure profit, reducing psychological pressure and enabling more rational operations.

**Second, the larger the profit, the more conservative you should be**
The biggest risks often come when you're earning a lot. At this point, you should proactively adjust your stop-loss levels to lock in some profits. Protecting what you've already gained is more important than chasing maximum returns. This is not pessimism but maturity.

**Third, avoid frequent chasing of highs and selling at lows**
Follow the trend, don't oppose the market. When the market is uncertain, stay in cash and wait. It's better to miss a wave than to make a wrong trade.

True trading experts may not always have the strongest ability to make money, but their ability to preserve profits is always the strongest. The wealth gap often comes down to this detail—whether you can hold on to every hard-earned profit. Steady accumulation is more sustainable than aggressive expansion.