2026-01-01 15:26:00

I used to be the kind of person who couldn't resist bottom-fishing. A few years ago, whenever I saw prices dropping, I couldn't help but want to jump in. As a result, due to frequent follow-the-leader trades, I lost my first pot of gold entirely. After experiencing multiple margin calls, I realized a key point: crypto trading isn't about who makes money the fastest, but who can survive the longest; it's not about who has the biggest guts, but who can find truly high-probability opportunities.

In the ADA 346x liquidation event, retail investors losing money weren't unlucky—they fell into the trap of "gambler-style follow-the-leader." They weren't trading for profit; they were gambling.

Let me clarify what "high-probability trading" means. It doesn't mean a 100% guaranteed profit, but a risk-to-reward ratio of at least 1:3. Simply put, risking 1 dollar should have the potential to earn 3 dollars. Conversely, those bottom-fishers aiming for a small rebound profit are risking losing their entire principal, which is completely backwards.

The main reason retail investors keep falling into this trap is that they are controlled by greed and fear. Seeing others make huge profits from bottom-fishing fuels greed; seeing prices keep falling pushes fear to cut losses. Both emotions dominate, and rationality is long gone.

I have summarized the "three essentials of high-probability trading." Over the years, this method has helped me avoid countless pitfalls. The first is a clear entry signal—trading shouldn't be based on feelings; it must be based on specific trading signals.

ADA5.54%

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FreeMinter

· 3h ago

There's nothing wrong with that, it's the kind of cycle where "you get jealous watching others make money, then turn around and lose money"... I've been through it too, and I've fallen into quite a few pits. Living a long life is the real key, this saying really hits home.

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HashBandit

· 3h ago

ngl back in my mining days i woulda fomo'd into that ada dip and gotten liquidated just the same, gas fees were eating me alive anyway...

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SerLiquidated

· 3h ago

That's so true, I am the living example of the 346x liquidation explosion... I still feel scared when I think about it now. Really, when others are making quick money, your mind just doesn't think straight, it's totally a gambler's mentality. The 1:3 ratio must be ingrained in your mind, but unfortunately, I realized this after already losing half. The key is to have trading signals; you can't just rely on intuition. I only understand this now. Emotions are the fatal flaw for retail investors; greed and fear take turns.

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ChainChef

· 3h ago

honestly the risk/reward thing hits different when you've actually blown up a portfolio lol... like yeah 1:3 minimum or you're just seasoning the market with your own capital. that ada disaster was basically watching people throw ingredients in a pan without a recipe and expecting michelin stars fr

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DefiVeteran

· 3h ago

Yeah, that's right. I've also fallen into this trap. Only after losing money do you understand what it means to live long. Really, blindly chasing speed is just asking for death. A 1:3 risk-reward ratio sounds simple, but in practice, you have to suppress that greed. Watching the 346x liquidation was really upsetting; it's pure gambling. Some people still think they're traders. The most profound feeling is this — without emotion, there's no reason. Stop-loss is always the hardest decision. The entry signal is indeed crucial; otherwise, you're just blindly bottom-fishing. You need a method, brother. Honestly, reading this article kind of hit home. Am I still repeating these mistakes?

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DeepRabbitHole

· 3h ago

That's so true. I'm the kind of retail investor who has been cut multiple times... Now I get scared when I see others bottom fishing. I never really thought about a risk-reward ratio of 1:3 before; I was always just aiming for quick doubling, but it ended up costing me. Having a buy signal alone isn't enough, right? How do you set your exit? It seems many people make profits but are reluctant to sell. Those ADA guys are indeed unlucky, but honestly, it's still greed causing the trouble—nothing to do with luck. Living a long life really hits home. Instead of gambling it all, it's better to steadily earn small profits.

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