The Survival Law "Against Nature" of Old Crypto Village Residents

The crypto market has never lacked opportunities, but it has always been full of illusions. Most of the tuition investors pay doesn’t come from “guessing the wrong trend,” but from trusting their own emotions too much. You’ve probably experienced this feeling before: a red screen, a pounding heart, hands ready on the Buy button. Just yesterday, an unknown altcoin surged 50–60%, Telegram and Twitter groups were filled with cheers, and FOMO spread faster than block confirmations. Most jumped in at that moment, and the familiar result was… standing on the peak watching the price turn around. If you’ve been in the market long enough, you’ll understand a harsh truth: The most attractive-looking path in crypto is often the quickest way out. Survivors through multiple cycles are not because they are smarter, but because they do things… contrary to the herd instinct.

1. When the Market Crashes: Less Excitement, More Discipline Every time the market drops sharply, many immediately shout “golden opportunity,” “bottom already,” “miss out if you don’t buy.” They go all-in at the first fall and realize they are standing on the mountainside while the knife keeps falling. The truth is: real opportunities only appear after most faith has been shattered. Not when prices just dropped, but when almost no one wants to talk about crypto anymore. Newcomers fear missing a rebound. Old-timers fear losing their capital. And in crypto, the fear of losing capital is always more valid than the fear of missing out. Long-term survivors share a common mindset: Better to miss 10 opportunities than make one mistake that damages the account.
2. Capital Management: Leaving an Exit Path Is Wisdom “All-in” sounds bold, but in crypto, it’s the fastest way to eliminate yourself from the game. When you shoot all your bullets, you also close the door to fix mistakes. My personal rule is simple: always keep at least 30% cash. Not to “play safe,” but to keep the power of choice. The market always offers opportunities, but only those with money can seize them. Entering trades gradually is not because I want a perfect bottom, but because I accept a truth: No one is 100% right, even the most experienced traders. Statistics show that investors trading less tend to have significantly higher average returns than those trading continuously. The very practical reason: fewer actions mean fewer mistakes—and fewer fees silently “bleeding” from the market.
3. Asset Allocation: The Order Determines Survival The most common mistake among beginners is reversing priorities: pouring money into “good story” altcoins, hoping Bitcoin will “back them up.” Survivors do the opposite. For them, Bitcoin and Ethereum are not for quick riches but to ensure survival. Altcoins are just spices, never the main dish. A defensive reference structure: 60% BTC & ETH 20% high-liquidity blockchain/major projects 10% promising altcoins 10% stablecoins This allocation may not impress with short-term profits, but it helps you keep your account intact during a crypto winter that lasts longer than expected.
4. Contracts & Leverage: Tool or Trap? Contracts are not inherently bad, but relying on them as main income sources is very dangerous. Leverage not only amplifies profits but also magnifies fears and greed—the two biggest enemies of traders. Many have won big with leverage, but few maintain those gains long-term. The reason is not technical but psychological: winning breeds overconfidence, losing makes you want to gloat. My strict rule: Only use contracts when truly necessary Leverage no more than 3x Trade size always smaller than your account Crypto is already volatile enough. Adding excessive leverage is like playing with a knife in a burning house.
5. Altcoins: Take Profits, Don’t Fall in Love With altcoins, I don’t believe in “long-term love.” The market doesn’t remember who you are, and project teams don’t reward loyalty. The simple rule: realize profits. If an altcoin rises 50% → start gradually taking profits. No debates, no hopes of “a little more.” History shows: when a coin hits peak popularity on Google and social media, the probability of profit within 1–4 weeks afterward is usually negative. When everyone talks about an opportunity, that opportunity is gone.
6. Survive First, Profit Later After many years in the game, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is not how to make more money, but how to avoid being kicked out. In crypto, the rarest things are not good trades but: Time And capital Only those still at the table have a chance to play the next round. Those who earn sustainably are actually applying a very old philosophy: detach emotions from decisions, act counter-cyclically, and be more patient than the majority. Conclusion Crypto veterans are not because they are always right, but because they avoid making catastrophic mistakes. They retreat when the market is crazy, and calmly accumulate when the crowd is desperate. That’s not a thrilling way to play, but it’s a way to sleep well. In a market full of temptations, longevity matters more than speed. Because only those who stay can wait for the next bull season. And you, do you want to be a shooting star that flashes brightly then fades… or a “cockroach” that stays silent but survives every cycle?