I'm still reviewing in the early morning and suddenly realized one thing—those who truly make money in the crypto world are not relying on guessing the future, but on making every current step solid.

Looking back to 2017 when I first entered this space, I was no different from most people. I had only a vague understanding of blockchain concepts and was swept up in the "digital gold" craze, thinking only of stories about "a wave of market turnaround." Reality gave me a harsh wake-up call—initial investments nearly wiped out my capital.

**How expensive were those "tuition fees" back then?**

I am a typical expert at chasing gains and selling on dips. When I saw a certain coin surge, I would get excited and jump in; when it fell, I would panic and cut losses. My eyes never left the phone screen, and my mood danced with the candlestick charts. The most embarrassing moment was during the speculative frenzy of altcoins, where I lost three months’ worth of salary. I still remember that feeling vividly.

But on the other hand, that tuition might have been the most worthwhile money I’ve ever spent. It painfully taught me a truth: in the crypto space, staying alive is a thousand times more important than making quick money.

**From chaos to clarity**

The turning point came from a decision. I started forcing myself to stay calm, no longer chasing hot trends or listening to "insider information." I dedicated three hours every day to analyzing technical charts, recording the patterns behind the data. Learning how to interpret moving averages, what trading volume indicates, when the RSI is most meaningful—bit by bit, I chewed through it.

I spent a lot of time building my own trading framework. I don’t seek overnight riches, only to make each decision well-reasoned and justified.

**The true test came in 2023**

By then, I was able to face market fluctuations calmly. When Bitcoin dropped near $30,000, I didn’t panic; instead, I saw an opportunity and confidently entered the market. Later, when the price surged to $68,000, I gradually and orderly took profits and exited.

What does this round of trading demonstrate? It shows that after years of accumulation, I finally can make the right decisions at critical moments. It’s not luck, but an understanding of market rhythm and trust in my trading system.

**The biggest takeaway**

The secret to making money in the crypto space, frankly, is treating investing as a craft. It requires continuous learning, repeated refinement, and enough patience. Those stories of overnight wealth are often survivor bias. But those who profit steadily, without exception, are doing the same thing—making every decision in the present well, rather than fantasizing about some future scenario.