Turning tens of thousands in principal into tens of millions, my biggest realization over these years in the crypto space is this: making money has never been about luck, but about the dual cultivation of skill and mindset. Today, I’m sharing a few practical lessons tested with real money, hoping they help those still finding their way pay less "tuition."

**First: After a sharp pump followed by a slow grind down, don’t panic sell**
If prices suddenly shoot up and then start to slowly grind downward—don’t panic. This is usually the big players shaking out weak hands. What does a real top look like? Violent surges followed by a waterfall crash—that’s the real signal to get out.

**Second: Slow rebound after a crash—beware of bull traps**
If the price crashes hard and then slowly starts to rebound—don’t rush to buy the dip. Many people think, “It’s hit bottom,” but often this is just the last bait for exit by the big players. It looks like things are warming up, but in reality, you’re being lured in to take their bags.

**Third: High volume at the top isn’t always a sell signal—no volume is more dangerous**
If huge volume appears at the top, many people instinctively want to run. But this isn’t always a signal to exit—there could be another leg up. What should you really watch for? When volume suddenly dries up at the top and the market goes eerily quiet—that’s the real sign of an impending crash.

**Fourth: A single high-volume spike at the bottom is usually a fake breakout**
If you see a huge single volume bar at the bottom, don’t FOMO in. This is often big players testing the waters, baiting impatient traders. When is it actually reliable? After a period of sideways movement and declining volume, if the volume starts to steadily and gently increase, that’s real accumulation.

**Fifth: Volume is more honest than candlesticks**
Candlesticks only tell you the outcome of price moves; volume reveals real market sentiment. Shrinking volume means nobody wants to play—everyone’s on the sidelines. Surging volume means money is flooding in and the market’s heating up. Learn to read volume changes, and you’ll understand the true market mindset.

**Sixth: Master the “Three No’s” to get started**
- **No obsession:** Don’t be stubborn; go short when you need to, don’t cling to bullish thinking.
- **No greed:** Don’t get jealous of big pumps, refuse to chase blindly, control your hands.
- **No fear:** Don’t get scared stiff by price drops; if the timing is right, step in confidently.

If you can do these three things, you’ve truly grasped the basics of trading. The crypto space isn’t a casino—it’s a long-term test of skill and mindset.