From $3,000 Almost “Wiped Out” to a $600,000 Account: My Journey Overcoming Disaster in Crypto

Three years ago, I brought $3,000—jokingly called my “small goal”—and dove into the crypto market with more recklessness than understanding. And just as you might guess: I almost lost even my… underwear.

When my account dropped to $1,200, I stared at that long red candle—longer than my own life—and wanted to smash the screen. I asked myself: Am I investing or just mentally self-destructing?

But now, my account sits steadily at over $600,000. No VIP signals, no one pumping tips, and definitely no “insiders.” Just me, an old desk, a lamp, and hundreds of nights grinding charts until 4 a.m.

The Market Didn’t Kill Me—My Own Ignorance Almost Did

What traps newcomers isn’t volatility, but the “legendary windbags” who keep shouting: “Bro, go all in!” “No need for analysis, just FOMO with the trend!”

In 2022, I couldn’t even tell MA from MACD. Whenever someone in the chat yelled “buy!”, I’d all-in like a brainless robot. Result: burned through 60% of my account in just three months.

One night, looking back at my trading history—all those trades like random gambles—I slapped myself hard.

They make money with their knowledge. I lose money with my ignorance.

The Turnaround Began After That Wake-Up Slap

I decisively left all signal groups, deleted every flashing app, and kept only bare charts.

I printed stacks of charts, plastered them all over my desk like a student preparing for finals.

Analyzed every dump to see why it happened Observed what was unusual before each price spike Split charts into 15-minute segments for dissection Filled three thick notebooks with notes Hand-drew over 200 chart patterns

At night, I’d yawn endlessly, collapse on the desk for 15–20 minutes, then jump up and continue.

Crypto has no mercy, but it gives opportunities to those willing to dig deep.

Three Vital Lessons I Want Every Newbie to Remember

1️⃣ Never go all in—surviving is more important than quick wins Trade one coin, max 20% of your capital. Don’t believe the “full margin, get rich overnight” myth. In crypto, preserving your capital is the highest wisdom.

2️⃣ Stoploss isn’t for fun—it’s your lifeline I set a 5% threshold and stick to it like it’s the law of the universe. Getting hit by stoploss is disappointing, but at least you have money to keep fighting.

3️⃣ One hour of daily review is worth more than ten hours watching charts Why did the losing trade fail? What made the winning trade succeed? If you don’t know why you won, it’s no different from losing.

The First Leap—and the Fear When My Account Grew 10x

After seven months, I caught the right recovery wave of top coins. From $1,200 to $10,000. Everyone thought I should be celebrating, but I just felt a chill down my spine.

Money earned through effort is precious. Money that comes from luck is terrifying.

That night, I wrote a “Trading Survival Checklist” and stuck it right on my desk:

Take profits on half at 30% gain Maximum of two trades per day Don’t trade when emotionally unstable Never revenge trade

The 1.2 Billion VND Fall—and the Comeback

Last year, the trend reversed sharply. My account fell from $200,000 straight down to $80,000. I sat on the balcony, chain-smoking, knowing panic wouldn’t help.

I reviewed 30 days of trades and realized: I was overconfident in old experience, ignored the macro view, and didn’t update to new market conditions.

The next day, I split $80,000 into three parts, bought back at support zones, and set strict stoplosses. Two months later, my account was back to $200,000.

And this time I didn’t shout “I did it!”—I quietly thought: Thank goodness I didn’t give up.

Now $600,000—and I Didn’t Buy a New Car or a House

I split the money into three baskets: 40% continues trading for compounding 30% moved to safe assets 30% put in term deposits for defense

I’ve seen too many people make a few hundred thousand and burn it all when greed hits at the worst moment.

My goal isn’t to get rich fast. My goal is to sleep soundly and not wake up in a panic at 2 a.m.

Three Abilities That Took Me From “Chicken” to Crypto Survivor

✔ Clear Self-Awareness Know what trading style suits you, and never touch coins you don’t understand.

✔ Unshakable Psychology If you can handle dumps, you deserve to enjoy the pumps.

✔ Iron Discipline If you have rules, stick to them 100%. One moment of indulgence can erase a year’s effort.

If You’re Still Moving Forward Alone in Crypto—Don’t Be Afraid

Those nights you analyze charts while others sleep, those times you control yourself not to FOMO, those moments you want to give up but still open the chart…

All of that will one day become the assets that help you turn the tables.

Keep going. Don’t stop. Crypto isn’t easy, but it never betrays those who are persistent enough.