5 Years in Crypto: From Blind FOMO to Making Money with Clear Thinking

The market does not lie. It accurately reflects the thinking, emotions, and skill level of each participant. I entered the crypto world at the end of 2018 — right at the tail end of a long bear cycle. At that time, I was just like most newcomers: believing that buying random coins and waiting for a bull run could change my life. And yes, I did make money at times. But very quickly afterward, I lost it all back to the market through account crashes I couldn’t react to. After many cycles of ups and downs, I realized a harsh truth: Money earned by luck will eventually be lost due to lack of skill. The gap between sustainable wealth and those who remain “prey” isn’t about who hit the jackpot a hundred times, but about how they think about the market. Price Is Just the Voting Result — Understanding the New Money Flow’s Motivation Is Key Most investors spend every day glued to charts. When prices go up, they get excited, thinking they are geniuses. When prices fall, they panic, thinking the market is about to crash. But in reality, price is just the final result of the money flow. It doesn’t reveal the cause, only the outcome. The important questions are: Who is buying?Why are they buying?Are they investing long-term or just trading on FOMO?Does the project have a compelling story to attract large capital? I’ve seen many good tech projects with “deadly” prices because they lack a narrative. Conversely, some weak foundational tokens have skyrocketed thanks to catching the right trend. In crypto, narratives always precede fundamentals. Not because fundamentals aren’t important, but because the market is driven by money flow and expectations. From “Wanting to Catch Everything” to Only Making Money Within Your Knowledge Zone When I first entered the market, I was exactly like most: Chasing coins that pumpHot projects that seem promisingJumping on groups showing profits The result: I didn’t miss any crashes. Later, I set a rule for myself: Only invest in things I can logically explain. I must understand: What problem does it solve?Why does it have value?Where does the money come from?How does the economic model work? For example, when DeFi exploded, instead of rushing into every project, I focused on deep research in specific areas: LendingAMM Liquidity MiningGovernance I farmed directly, tested, and experienced on multiple blockchains to understand the essence of the game. This gave me an advantage in a specific segment. In crypto, becoming an expert in one area is better than knowing a little about everything. You don’t need to chase every opportunity; just keep profits within your understanding zone. Trading Is Not Gambling — It’s a Chess Game with a Plan As I matured, I no longer see trading as “gambling.” Every order must be clear: What is the maximum risk?What is the expected profit?When should I cut losses?Is this a short-term trade or a long-term hold? If I can’t plan for the worst-case scenario → I don’t enter. If my psychology isn’t stable → I stop trading. The market punishes those who trade without a plan heavily. Risk management may seem boring, but it’s the foundation for survival. You can pick the right coin at the right time — but if you enter with the wrong size, everything becomes meaningless. I recommend most investors keep only 5–10 core positions. Fewer positions to manage better, monitor news more closely, and react promptly. The Market Is a Mirror Reflecting Your Inner Self After several cycles, I understand that: The market not only reflects trends — it reflects your very personality. Greedy → driven by FOMO Impatient → selling at the bottom Fearful → missing big opportunities Undisciplined → account burns out In a 24/7 trading environment like crypto, long-term survival is far more important than making quick money a thousand times over. Opportunities are available every year. New narratives always emerge. What you lack isn’t luck, but: A correct mindset A clear trading system A strong psychological foundation Crypto Is Not a Casino — It’s a Place to Turn Perception into Wealth When you build your own investment logic: Knowing your own “trading edge”Knowing what outside logic to ignoreKnowing when to make big moves Then crypto is no longer a gamble, but a wealth-generating machine driven by your mindset. The best traders aren’t those who boast about a 100x win on one trade, but those who go through many cycles, with their accounts growing larger over time. Your goal isn’t to get rich overnight. It’s to use crypto to change your life sustainably. And that journey… begins with understanding yourself. If you want to access systematic crypto knowledge, stay ahead of trends, understand money flow, and pinpoint entry points accurately — follow the journey with those who have truly survived multiple cycles. Learning is the highest-yield investment in crypto.