8 Years of Crypto Trading: Survived 3 Account Liquidations and Earn 7 Figures Annually – The Unvarnished Truth

Ten years ago, I jumped into the crypto market with exactly $20,000, carrying the illusion of “getting rich quick” in my head. Three consecutive account blow-ups slapped me in the face: this path is not for dreamers.

The worst time, I used 10x leverage, holding a position from the afternoon until 3 a.m. When the red candle broke through the last support level, my hand holding a cigarette was shaking so much I couldn’t even light it.

After that hit, my account was left with only three digits—literally “wiped out.”

But from those ruins, I rebuilt with a “contrarian” strategy—not following textbooks, not idolizing stop-losses, and now I consistently earn a seven-figure income every year.

The first thing I want to clarify: The question “Should I cut losses or hold the position?” is fundamentally wrong from the start.

Trading is not about choosing a fixed answer, but about building a system with a probability edge (probability edge).

Stop-losses, leverage, entry points—all are just tools. No tool will generate profit if you use it incorrectly.

1. Stop-Loss Is Not a “Life Saver” – It’s Just Your System’s Emergency Brake

When I first started, I was haunted by the idea that “not setting a stop-loss is a sin,” so I set -5% for every trade.

The result?

It wasn’t the market that killed me—it was fees and slippage.

Six months later, from $8,000 I only had a few hundred left.

That’s when I realized:

Stop-loss isn’t always necessary. It’s only needed when your strategy requires it.

For example:

✔ Strategies that don’t need stop-loss: Trading in BTC, ETH’s long-term accumulation zones Grid trading in well-tested sideways markets Trading major trends with stable volume

→ In these cases, a stop-loss that’s too tight just throws you out, letting you watch the price move in your intended direction.

✘ Strategies that MUST have a stop-loss: Trading low-cap altcoins Using leverage above 3x Trading during high-risk periods (news, high volatility)

One time being greedy + not setting stop-loss in an altcoin can “kick you out of the market” instantly—I am living proof.

2. Don’t Be “Cattle for the Exchange” – Hidden Costs Are the Real Profit Killers

Many people think they lose because of bad analysis.

No!

They lose because they overtrade.

15–20 trades a day A few dollars here and there Each time making a few percent, but fees eat up half of it

At the end of the month: The exchange profits—you go broke.

Now, I’ve slowed down my trading so much that many think I’ve “quit trading”:

Maximum 10–15 trades every 3 months Only enter when price breaks a key level and volume confirms Each trade has enough expected profit to cover half a year of trading fees

Crypto isn’t short on opportunities, people just lack the patience to wait for the real ones.

3. Leverage and Coin Type Must “Match” – Choose Wrong and It’s Suicide

Leverage isn’t bad.

Using it wrong is bad.

The rule I learned after three account blow-ups:

BTC/ETH – clear trend, moderate volatility → 2–3x Can handle shakeouts.

Top altcoins → max 5x + clear stop-loss Fast-moving but still have liquidity.

Shitcoins → Don’t use leverage, or better yet, don’t touch them They don’t shake you out. They just kill you.

I used to use 5x for BTC and 10x for small altcoins.

Result: BTC shakeout → washout Altcoin gets dumped once → account blown

Looking back, I realize it was pure ignorance.

10 Years in Crypto Taught Me One Thing:

No rule is gospel. Only a system that fits you is the truth.

Stop-loss isn’t something to “blindly obey,” but a tool to protect your long-term winning probability.

Good traders aren’t those who do complicated things.

They’re the ones who know:

When to use stop-loss When to hold positions When to stay out When to accept missing out

That’s the only way profits can snowball over the years.

**If you’re confused, if you keep getting stopped out, if the longer you trade the less faith you have—don’t worry.

You just don’t understand the “personality” of the market yet.**

Follow me @blogtienso—I’ll help you see the market from the perspective of a survivor.