There's an old saying: You can only win if you know how to lose. In the crypto world, retail traders starting with hundreds or thousands of dollars often fail because of one thought — "This time I must go all-in."

The data is clear: 90% of losing accounts are not due to poor technical skills, but because of impulsiveness. A sudden reverse spike, and all gains vanish in an instant. The traders who survive share a common trait — they treat stop-loss as breathing, and take profit as a habit.

**The 5x Rule for Contract Short-Term Trading**

There's a strict rule for short-term contract trading: leverage capped at 5x. Don't be greedy; aim for 6%-8% profit. Stop-loss? Firmly set within 3%.

Why be so conservative? Because small funds can't withstand a spike. Using 10,000 U.S. dollars to trade ETH short-term, if you lose 300 U, cut losses decisively; if you make 600-800 U, take profits immediately. Looks like thin profit? After two weeks, your account can steadily grow by 30%-50%. The secret of short-term trading isn't about huge gains, but about "cutting with small, frequent wins" — accumulating a snowball with high-frequency small successes.

**Mid-term Spot Trading to Capture 40% Main Wave Rise**

To catch a 40% or more upward move in mid-term, you have to endure 5%-10% shakeouts. How exactly?

Set stop-loss at critical support levels — previous low points or the 4-hour moving average (60). Once broken, exit immediately. Take profits in two stages: once up 30%-35%, sell half to lock in gains; for the remaining position, trail a moving stop, and if it retraces 8%, close all. No one can sell at the absolute top, but this strategy helps you sell near the secondary high.

**Position Management Is the Key to Better Sleep**

The same 10,000 U principal can be managed in two completely different ways: splitting into three parts or going all-in.

With a small position, even an 8% floating loss allows for peaceful sleep. With a large position, just a 2% unrealized loss can cause cold sweat. It's not about mental toughness; it's reality. Holding a heavy position without stop-loss is like driving on the highway with the brakes removed — comfortable until an accident happens.

Before placing an order, ask yourself: What's the maximum I could lose on this trade? Not how much I could earn. Stop-loss isn't about admitting defeat; it's insurance for your capital. Take profit isn't the end — it's phased dividends.

Market opportunities are endless, but your capital only has one shot. Most people's losing cycle isn't due to lack of effort but because they lack a trading system truly suited for small funds. The bull market is near; the key is whether you've chosen the right rhythm.