At 2 a.m., my phone suddenly started vibrating like crazy.

"Big sis... I really can't keep my noodle shop open anymore. I only have a few thousand yuan left, and someone told me that if I get in now, I can make my money back quickly..." My cousin's voice was clearly choked with tears.

The phrase "last chance" instantly pulled me back to eight years ago—

Back then, I had only been working for three years. I went all-in with all my savings, believing in some "get-rich-quick myth." In the end, my account went straight to zero. I almost couldn't pay rent and survived on instant noodles for an entire quarter.

From getting burned so badly I questioned my life, to now being able to read the market's rhythm, I've paid a lot of tuition fees over these eight years. During the 2022 to 2023 crash, I helped three friends in situations similar to my cousin's avoid major losses—and even managed to double my own assets.

There are always people in the comments asking, "Is there a quick way to get started?"

To be honest, there’s no "guaranteed win formula" in crypto. But there is a certain underlying logic that can help you avoid 99% of rookie traps—understanding these things is way more important than rushing in to "buy the dip."

**Rule #1: First secure your “ballast,” and don’t touch low-probability gambles**

No matter how crazy the market gets, you need an anchor—a core asset.

It’s like the weight at the bottom of a ship: if it’s stable, your whole investment portfolio has room to grow; if it takes a big hit, most of your other holdings will probably suffer too.

I’ve seen too many beginners always thinking about finding “dark horses” or chasing “independent rallies,” thinking blue-chip coins don’t rise enough. The result? When the small-cap tokens pull back, they get cut in half instantly, sometimes without even a chance to cut losses.

Those who really survive long-term always put the majority of their positions in mainstream assets that have stood the test of time. This isn’t being conservative—it’s giving yourself a way out.

When the market fluctuates, you’ll notice: the ones who lose the most are usually those with the most aggressive allocations at the start; while those who stabilize their core holdings actually have the ability to seize real opportunities.

Remember, investing isn’t gambling on odds. First, aim not to lose; then, aim to win.