A midnight BROCCOLI controversy gave me an immediate sense of what the cost of "fast in and fast out" really means. That operation resulted in a loss of $13,000. Although the number looks painful, reviewing it turned out to be the most valuable lesson.

Afterward, I summarized the entire process: I didn't do enough background research on the project before trading; I didn't clarify whether the seemingly crazy price increase was driven by genuine demand or hype; I chose the wrong entry timing, as low-liquidity periods like midnight are more susceptible to being pushed up and then dumped; my stop-loss was ineffective, and greed led me to add positions multiple times, ultimately being thoroughly taught by the market.

Looking back now, the knowledge gained from losing $13,000 was actually quite worth it. There are always opportunities in the market, but never forever. Stories of overnight riches often hide countless pitfalls that others have stepped into. Learning to protect your principal in cryptocurrency trading is more important than chasing any project. Risk management is not passive; it’s about surviving longer.