10 Years Battling in Crypto: 3 Strategies to Help Retail Investors Flip Small Accounts into Huge Profits

Have you ever seen too many people chasing the “overnight riches” dream rushing into the crypto market, only to be painfully beaten down by the K-line? 10 years ago, I was also part of that “gambling” crowd, starting with a few thousand in capital, and after half a year, I was left with just a few hundred. It was then I realized that crypto investing isn’t a game of luck, but a long-term battle requiring discipline and a clear strategy.

Last year, I met a young person who had just graduated and put half a year’s internship salary into crypto. In less than two weeks, their account had lost 60%, and my messages were full of questions like “Should I cut my losses?” and “Should I add more funds?” Seeing them reminded me of my former self, staying up all night staring at the computer screen.

I decided to share all the secrets that helped me survive bull and bear markets for 10 years. In just three months, their account grew sixfold. Here are three main strategies, especially useful for those with small capital who want a solid start.

Strategy 1: “Three-Part Capital Principle” – Control Your Destiny With Your Own Hands

The reason so many retail investors panic on the way down and get greedy on the way up is because they put all their capital into a single trade. Since 2017, I have applied the “three-part capital principle,” the foundation for survival in the market.

40% First Capital – Gentle (Day Trading): Only focus on the top 5 large-cap coins. Set a daily profit target of 3-5%, take profits when reached, never get greedy. For example: early in the morning, if you spot a major coin breaking through minor resistance, enter a small position and take profit as soon as your target is met. These accumulated profits are usually more stable than “going big.”

30% Second Capital – (Swing Trading): 80% of the time, the market moves sideways. At this time, patiently wait for a clear trend signal: for example, weekly candles staying above an important moving average, with gradually increasing trading volume. When the trend is clear, enter and hold for 3-7 days. When profits reach 10-15%, close half, use a trailing stop for the rest to protect profits.

30% Final Capital – Long-term “Reserve Fund”: Whether the market is up or down, use this portion only to hold quality long-term coins. When buying, set a long-term stop-loss in advance, and don’t touch it unless it hits the bottom. This is your “safety cushion” against extreme volatility and the key to enjoying long-term compound interest.

Strategy 2: Be a “Trend Hunter” – Avoid the Trap of Over-Trading

I’ve seen too many people trading constantly in a sideways market, making 5-6 trades a day, racking up fees while their accounts shrink. In a sideways market, it’s best to do nothing.

How to recognize a trend: Trading volume: When a trend begins, volume always increases. Price moves up/down without volume are usually traps. Breaking key price levels: If a coin trades within a range for a long time, only a breakout above or below the range with increased volume creates a new trend.

Like fishing, you have to wait for the fish to bite before pulling the line. Trading is the same—waiting patiently for a trend is often more effective than “casting randomly.”

Strategy 3: Discipline Above All – Use Rules to Counter Human Psychology

Crypto tests not only your skills but also your psychology: greed, fear, hope, and luck will make you break your plan repeatedly. I’ve survived 10 years thanks to two “ironclad” rules:

Stop-loss per trade never exceeds 2%: No matter how much you believe in a coin, always plan your stop-loss before entering. When it’s hit, exit immediately. A stop-loss is like a brake—rarely used, but life-saving when needed.

For profits over 4%, close half: Take partial profits, use a trailing stop for the rest. Many think they’ve made big gains, but end up losing due to greed. Also, never hold onto losses or add more funds—that’s “leveraging your mistakes,” only making losses worse.

The young person I mentored went from clumsy trades to a solid trader. Last month, they told me: now they spend less than an hour a day monitoring the market, but their profits are higher than before.

Conclusion

Crypto has no “secret weapon” other than risk control + discipline + patience. Small capital isn’t scary; what’s scary is the gambler’s “one big reversal” mindset. Apply the three strategies above and you’ll transform from a confused retail investor into a solid trader, surviving every bull & bear market.