8 Years in the Crypto Market: The Traps I Fell Into and How I Turned the Tables

Have you been in the crypto market for over a year but your account is still in the red? Before doubting your “fate,” take a look at your trading approach: is the market too harsh, or are we ourselves rushing into the lion’s den? I have met many people with less than 200 million VND in their accounts, yet they go all-in every day; the outcome is either being drained by the market or dragged down by emotions. This article speaks frankly and honestly—to help you avoid the traps I once fell into and to walk a more sustainable path.

1. Do Not Consider a Demo Account as a Game; a Real Account Is the Arena Consistently winning on a demo but trembling when switching to a real account? The reason is simple: losing hundreds of times on demo doesn’t hurt, but on a real account, just one mistake can make you want to give up. The market feeling must be cultivated, not guessed. Focus on a (time frame like 15 minutes) and a familiar indicator set like (KDJ, RSI, MACD). Keep a trading journal every day: why you entered a trade, why you exited, where you went wrong. Crypto markets are open 24/7, but opportunities only come to those who follow consistently. Tip: Set a rule “only trade when conditions are met.” If not met — stay out.
2. Good News Is When You Are Most Likely to Get Faked Out 90% of retail traders jump in when they hear good news. The usual result: prices spike in a moment, then reverse; the next day, they open high but don’t take profits, and end up at the top. The market targets expectations, not news. Experts often buy when rumors are circulating and sell when official news is announced. Before holidays, reducing position size is usually safer than holding a full position. Principle: When good news is announced = consider taking partial profits.
3. Medium-term “Smoothing,” Short-term Momentum Trading Medium-term: Don’t hold onto losing positions. When prices go up, sell some; when they dip deeply, buy back. Keeping cash helps you survive longer. Short-term: Only trade coins with momentum. Coins that aren’t moving are often “mines.” Prioritize trend-leading coins — usually more stable than niche coins. Don’t chase the entire wave. Eating the body of the fish is enough; let others take the head and tail.
4. The Rhythm Is More Important Than Direction; Cut Losses Faster Than Holding The deadly trap is trying to hold on. Buying wrong and not cutting, waiting for a deeper dip, then crying. Preserving capital is essential to turn the tide. Coins that slow down may be shaking out; sharp drops often rebound strongly — the key is catching the right rhythm. Follow signals: when MACD turns gold, follow; when death signals appear, withdraw. A few wrong moves are better than a single crash. Golden rule: Risk no more than 1–2% of your account per trade.
5. Don’t Turn Trading Into a Gamble — Sharpen One Sword Enough Changing strategies daily only results in half-measures. Consistent profit-makers are those who master one system: For example: Use Bollinger Bands to identify support/resistance, confirm with volume to enter on breakouts. Simple, repetitive, disciplined. What suits you best is “your holy grail.” My Survival Rules I Always Follow No all-in. Divide capital into 3–5 parts, enter gradually. Set stop-loss before entering a trade. Take partial profits. Don’t trade when emotions are high(euphoria or frustration). Review daily: check BTC trend, altcoin flow, major news. Conclusion Crypto is not a competition to see who is smarter, but who survives longer. Less talk of “getting rich fast,” more discipline; fewer bets, more steady gains. Moving into 2025, if you want to turn the tables: follow the rhythm, avoid traps, only seek profits worthy of your discipline. Learn every day — that is the greatest asset.