There are many legends of overnight riches circulating in the crypto world, but most people experience rollercoaster-like fluctuations in wealth. Recently, a seasoned player who has been active in the crypto market for years shared his story—growing from 120,000 to a million-dollar asset, accumulated over several market cycles.

He didn't promote any secret methods; instead, he said something that lingers in your mind: "In this market, 90% of people are slaves to their emotions; when you learn to control your emotions, the market becomes your personal ATM."

This methodology sounds very simple, but it is incredibly powerful. There was an investor who lost over 500,000, but by adjusting his strategy according to this approach, he not only turned losses into profits within half a year but also had enough to buy a new car. So, what are these four ironclad rules that are so magical?

**Rule 1: Abandon Small Gains, Protect Principal**

This sounds ridiculously simple, but executing it tests human nature the most. After opening a position, close it for a small profit to lock in gains, but this often causes missed opportunities for larger rallies later; insist on not taking profits and aiming for big gains, but when the market turns, you get caught. Many people swing back and forth in this dilemma, ending up with nothing. The key is to have clear expectations management—know your target price and follow the plan, don’t be swayed by intraday fluctuations.

**Rule 2: Focus on Mainstream Coins, Avoid Altcoins**

Not all coins are worth chasing. The strategy is straightforward: only look at mainstream coins that have already experienced significant declines and are starting to rise slowly (like ETH). Allocate about 10% of your total funds as a core position, avoiding guessing the absolute bottom or touching those new, conceptually interesting small coins. Wait until the trend stabilizes before considering adding more. This approach may seem a bit simple, but stability is the top priority.

**Rule 3: Add Positions After Trend Confirmation**

If the coin price has confirmed an upward trend, it’s ideal to add 20%-30% of your position during a pullback. Don’t greedily chase the lowest entry point—many have been burned by the illusion of catching the bottom. Once the trend is established, it’s better to buy at a slightly higher price than to be deeply trapped in the middle of a correction.

**Rule 4: Take Profits in Time**

Whenever the price rises through a cycle, first lock in your principal and 50% of the profits, leaving the rest to fluctuate with the market. Don’t be greedy or aim to capture the entire wave—only the money that truly belongs to you is your real profit. This principle tests your psychological resilience but is the most effective way to avoid the tragedy of “making money but losing it all again.”

**Why can this method survive?**

There are many smart people in the crypto market, but true wise ones are rare. The clever chase every hot spot and opportunity, only to exhaust themselves; the real wise build a repeatable system and patiently wait for their few opportunities. While most are stuck in the “buy high, sell low” vicious cycle, this seemingly simple trend-following system becomes the most stable engine for wealth growth.

The market is always here, but capital and opportunities won’t wait. Instead of groping in the dark, it’s better to learn from the experience of those who came before you.