Just entering the crypto world or new to trading? Seeing K-line fluctuations makes you itchy to place an order—that's a problem that needs fixing. Many beginners have fallen into this trap, myself included. Back then, I would open a position eagerly as soon as I saw the market, only to end up losing badly. Today, I want to share the experience I've gained to help everyone avoid these pitfalls and achieve steady profits.

**First, don't follow the crowd blindly; wait for market signals**

Short-term trading focuses on volatility, but true experts never chase blindly. Keep an eye on 1-minute, 5-minute, and 15-minute charts, and wait for the right signals before acting. Patience is easy to talk about but hard to practice, yet it is truly the foundation of success.

**Fewer tools, more focus**

Beginners tend to pile on various indicators, resulting in confusion and inability to see clearly. My advice is to focus on 1 to 3 core tools—candlestick patterns, moving averages, and volume. These are enough to accurately judge the trend and avoid distractions from noise. That’s the way to go.

**Set goals and bottom lines; enter and exit quickly**

Short-term trading must have two clear rules: take profits when your target is reached, and cut losses when it’s not. Usually, set profit targets between $3 and $8, and stop-losses between $1 and $3. Exit when it’s time, and cut losses immediately if wrong. Only then can you achieve steady profits.

**Choose the right time—London open is a gold mine**

The market is most active during the London open, with frequent trading opportunities and large fluctuations. If you’re doing short-term trading, this period is a great chance to make profits.

**Pitfalls to avoid**

Don’t trade within the first 5 minutes before major data releases—non-farm payrolls, CPI, and similar events—spreads widen and slippage is severe. Wait until after the announcement to trade. If losses exceed $2, you must stop-loss immediately; don’t hold on stubbornly. Short-term becomes medium-term, and often that’s the start of a margin call. Use the 1-hour EMA trend to determine direction: if the trend is up, only go long; if down, only go short. Don’t trade against the trend. Limit daily trades to no more than 5, and keep 80% of your time observing and staying in cash. Overtrading makes it hard to catch real opportunities.

**Final words**

The success rate for short-term trading is generally between 55% and 65%. The key is to maintain a profit-to-loss ratio above 1.5:1. It’s recommended to test your strategy thoroughly on a demo account before switching to real trading. Short-term trading is like dancing on the edge of a knife—discipline is your best protection.