For those of you holding only a few hundred USDT, don’t rush to place an order—listen to my story first.

The crypto market isn’t a game of luck at the gambling table; it’s a battleground that tests your strategy and discipline. Last year, I met a trader who had a $600 balance. At first, his fingers would tremble every time he hit the buy button—he was afraid that a single mistake would wipe out his principal.

I told him: follow the rules, and even small amounts can grow big. What happened? In one month, his account grew to $12,000, and in three months, it broke through $38,000, with zero liquidation during that time.

Some say it was just luck? Wrong. He relied on three “iron rules” that both protect your capital and make you money.

**First rule: Split your principal into three parts—always have a backup plan**
Divide your $600 into three portions: use $200 for intraday short-term trades, sticking to mainstream coins like BTC and ETH, and cash out with 3%-5% gains or losses; use another $200 for swing trades, only entering when the trend is clear, holding for 3-5 days for stability; keep the last $200 untouched as your lifeline for extreme market situations.

Have you seen those who go all-in with thousands of dollars? When prices rise, they get cocky; when prices fall, they panic, and they can’t survive a full cycle. Those who really make it long-term always keep something up their sleeve at the table.

**Second rule: Only trade with the trend—don’t get stuck in sideways markets**
Most of the time, the market moves sideways. If you trade too frequently, you’re just paying fees to the platform. If there’s no clear signal, keep your wallet closed and wait—strike only when the opportunity is right. When you’ve made 12%, withdraw half your profit first—money only counts once it’s in your pocket.

What’s the rhythm of a pro? Stay calm and patient when it’s time to wait, but strike with precision when it’s time to move. When his account doubled, I watched him collect profits steadily—no chasing highs, no panic sells. I was genuinely happy for him.

**Third rule: Rules above all—controlling yourself is more important than reading the market right**
Keep your stop loss for each trade within 2% of your principal; if you hit your stop loss, exit immediately. When profits exceed 4%, cut half your position and let the rest run. Never add to a losing position—don’t let your emotions take over.

You can’t predict the market right every time, but you can follow your rules every time. Making money is ultimately about using a system to keep your hands from making reckless trades.

Remember: it’s not scary to start with a small amount—the real danger is always thinking you can “go all-in and win it back.” Growing $600 to $38,000 isn’t luck falling from the sky; it’s built up little by little through rules, patience, and discipline.