The 2017 altcoin frenzy is still vivid in my memory.

At that time, I heavily invested in $ADA, starting from $0.03 and gradually building my position. Within three months, the price skyrocketed to $1.2, and my account value increased nearly 40 times. The first thing I did every morning was to check the market, watching my assets jump constantly, and the plan to buy a house with my profits was taking shape in my mind.

Then tragedy struck. I was too greedy and never dared to sell. ADA then plummeted sharply, crashing back to $0.2. The unrealized gains evaporated instantly, with 80% of the profits gone, and my dream of buying a house shattered.

That experience completely changed my understanding of the crypto world: buying is at most basic skill; the real difference-maker is whether you know when to sell.

**My Ladder Take-Profit Method:**

For example, if the coin price rises from $1 to $2, I sell 30% of my position to recover the principal; when it reaches $3, I reduce another 30%; the remaining 40% is set with a trailing stop—if the price drops 15% from its peak, I close all positions. This way, I can capture the main gains without giving back all the profits.

**The Iron Rule of Stop-Loss:**

Never risk more than 5% of your total capital on a single trade. Immediately place a conditional order after buying, setting a -10% stop-loss. Don’t worry about missing opportunities; the crypto market never lacks opportunities.

Over these years of market storms, I’ve seen countless stories of overnight riches, and even more people losing everything on rollercoaster-like swings. In the end, those who stick to trading discipline and take profits are often the ones who come out ahead. The market will always be here; the key is to survive long enough.