ETH’s recent price movements have left many people conflicted, but the more important question is: do you want to make a quick buck, or are you aiming for consistent profits?

If your starting capital is less than $2,000, don’t rush in. There are definitely opportunities in crypto, but it’s not the place to recklessly go all-in with just a few hundred bucks. Last year, I mentored a newbie whose account only had $1,200. When he first started trading, his hands would shake, afraid that a single mistake would wipe him out.

I told him straight up: “Follow the rules, and even small amounts can grow big over time.” So what happened? In three months, his account was up to $15,000, and after five months, he broke $32,000—without a single liquidation along the way.

Think that was just luck? Not at all. It was all about strict discipline. Here are the three “survival rules” that helped him go from $1,200 to where he is now:

**Rule 1: Split your capital—don’t put all your eggs in one basket.**
Divide your funds into three parts: Use $500 for intraday scalping, only on major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and exit when you get a 3%-5% move. Use $400 for swing trades—wait for clear signals, then hold for 3-5 days. The remaining $300 stays as reserve—no matter how crazy the market gets, that money doesn’t move. That’s your safety net.

Ever seen people go all-in with a few thousand bucks? Sure, it feels great when it pumps, but they’re wiped out just as fast when it dumps. Those who survive long-term always keep some cash on the sidelines.

**Rule 2: Only follow the trend—don’t get caught up in choppy markets.**
Most of the time, the market just chops sideways and wears you down. Trading too often is just paying fees to the exchange. If there’s no signal, just wait. When there is, act decisively. When you’re up 15%, cash out half—locking in profits is the only thing that counts.

All pros know this rhythm: “If you don’t act, that’s fine; but when you do, make it count.” During his account’s big run, I noticed he didn’t trade that often, but every trade was solid—never chasing pumps or panicking on dips.

**Rule 3: Rules come first—control your emotions.**
Never risk more than 2% per trade—if your stop hits, get out. When your profit exceeds 4%, cut half your position and let the rest ride. Never add to a losing position—don’t let your emotions drag you under.

You don’t have to predict the market every time, but you do have to follow your rules every time. When it comes down to it, making money is just about using a system to control that hand that wants to gamble.

Remember, having little capital isn’t scary—what’s scary is always chasing that “all-in comeback.” Growing $1,200 into $32,000 wasn’t about making godlike predictions, but about rules, patience, and execution.

The path is right here, and the way is lit—whether you walk it is up to you.