3 Survival Principles That Whether You're New or Experienced, You Must Engrave in Your Heart

8 years hustling in the crypto market, I’ve lost more than I ever earned. But the most painful blow, the one that still stings to this day… was in 2020, when I was forced to sell 3 BTC for just $20,000 because I was short on cash. Looking back now, the value of those coins has surpassed $600,000. A lifelong lesson. But last week, when JPMorgan officially accepted crypto as collateral, I suddenly understood one thing: This market has finally reached the stage it should have 8 years ago — the “legalization era.” From someone who entered the market with $5,000 to a seven-figure account as of now, I can honestly say: Getting rich from crypto is never just luck. It comes from 3 survival principles that you must engrave in your heart, whether you’re new or have been around for a while.

1. 80% of Assets Should Only Go Into the “Two Pillars”: BTC & ETH Over the past ten years, I’ve held all kinds of altcoins — meme, gamefi, early DeFi, strange layer 1s… But in the end: only Bitcoin and Ethereum have truly grown through every cycle. They have survived: Policy crackdownsTax law changesExchange incidentsMultiple bull and bear runs And most importantly: They are always the first assets to recover when the market reverses. JPMorgan adding BTC and ETH to the list of collateral assets is basically a seal of approval of their true value. What should newcomers do? 80% of capital → BTC and ETH The remaining 20% → Projects with clear models, real growth, not just “storytelling” tokens. This way, you secure the safe portion while keeping the door open for super returns.

2. “Activate” Assets the Right Way – Legal, Safe, No Overleveraging Before there were reputable intermediaries, if you wanted cash, you had to: → either sell your coins → or take risky loans, easy to get scammed Both were bad. Now, being able to use crypto as collateral completely unlocks liquidity for investors. No need to sell coins → still get cash to manage → still keep long-term positions But don’t go “all in” on borrowing because of this. Golden rule: Never borrow more than 50% of your collateral value. Crypto is highly volatile, just a 20–30% correction and you could face: Margin callForced liquidationLosing your entire long-term position Treat loans as a backup tool — not a way to add more risk.

3. Only Go With the “Legal Stream” – Avoid the Gray Area The early years of crypto felt like trekking through a jungle: Unregulated exchanges opening and closingScam projects everywhereLending and yield offers full of “guaranteed” promises, then running away with your money Back then, surviving was mostly luck. But now things are different. Major financial institutions — especially JPMorgan — have entered the market. This shows one truth: If you’re on the legal path, you’ve already eliminated about 70% of the risks. Newcomers should remember: Only trade on regulated exchanges Never put money into projects that promise “stable returns – no risk” Avoid unlicensed lending platforms Watch the moves of major institutions — they’re the market’s compass Where there’s legalization, there’s real money flow.

To Conclude — Crypto Is No Longer the “Casino” of 8 Years Ago If I could go back, I’d tell myself in 2020 one thing: “Don’t sell those 3 BTC — the legalization era is coming.” Today, it’s really here. Crypto is no longer a game of rumors, FOMO, or “all in for a life-changing bet.” The winners aren’t the earliest, but those who hold the right assets, use the right tools, and follow the legal trend. Don’t look for quick riches. In 10 years, I’ve seen 99% of those who “play margin – hold shitcoins – chase quick gains” disappear from the market. Who’s left? Those who firmly hold BTC/ETH, manage risk, and follow the legalization trend from the start. If you’re reading this, congratulations — you’re on the right path, ahead of many others.