Having been involved in the crypto world for so many years, I've seen too many people lose all their hard-earned principal due to frequent chasing and panic selling. If you want to survive longer and earn more steadily in this market, there’s actually no secret—just eight words: Buy in a bear market, sell in a bull market.

It sounds simple, but executing it trips up many people. I’ve summarized the pitfalls I’ve encountered and the strategies I’ve developed over the years into five key points to help newcomers avoid unnecessary detours.

**First is the logic of choosing coins.** Don’t blindly buy based on the hype of old coins. Instead, focus on those with potential that haven’t yet taken off. Enter when they drop to relatively low levels—there’s no need to buy at the absolute bottom, as approaching the bottom zone is already a good timing for deployment. Then just sit back and wait, letting the market do its homework.

**Second, identify the main coins.** Over the years, I’ve mainly kept an eye on a few long-term top players: BTC, ETH, BNB, SOL—those consistently at the front. Also, highly popular projects like DOGE, SHIB, along with hype-driven Meme coins like Bome and Floki. As for smaller coins, they tend to be highly volatile with many traps—never risk heavy positions on them. Light positions might lead to losses, heavy ones could result in liquidation.

**Master the rhythm of a bull market.** The market actually follows a fixed pattern: initially, BTC leads the rally, pulling the whole market up; mid-term, mainstream coins perform, and various altcoins start to stir; later, ETH surges, and altcoins can experience crazy rallies. Near the end, things often get intense: BTC suddenly plunges, causing the entire market to collapse. So, once you judge that the mid-stage of a bull market has arrived, it’s best to clear all positions immediately. Don’t chase that last wave—greed is often the start of getting trapped.

**After the mid-term, don’t play the probability game.** Altcoins’ gains can be tempting, but at this stage, you need to stay calm. If you want to play, only use spare funds for small tests. Going all-in is essentially gambling—when luck runs out, your principal can vanish in an instant.

**Finally, treat your principal as your life.** In the crypto world, surviving is the biggest victory. Cut losses immediately if you’re caught in a trap—don’t hope for a rebound. When the market crashes, protecting your principal is the top priority. Endure the bear market’s lows, and with the remaining funds, restart your journey—only then is there a chance to turn the tide.