In 2020, I was left with just $183 in my Binance account, after a journey that started with $3,000 and had once reached a peak of $100,000. But crypto trading is unforgiving, and the markets slowly eroded my gains until I had almost nothing left. Throughout that time, I’d stuck to a habit that may have saved me—transferring $1 daily to a separate fund account. Even when my trading capital dwindled, I kept up with that $1 transfer every day. It wasn’t much, but it was a way to feel like I was still making progress, even in the smallest way. Four years later, that habit has become second nature, and now I transfer $5 a day.
During that period, everything seemed to be unraveling, not just my trading account. At home, I felt isolated—no one seemed to care, no one checked in, and just when things hit rock bottom, my girlfriend left. She took one of my phones, which had crypto stored on it, though I doubt she knew how to access it. She mostly used that phone to play games. Losing her was harder to take than losing my capital; she disappeared a month before my account hit zero, leaving me not only broke but alone. I was living in Shanghai at the time, waiting on a visa that kept getting delayed. Those who were in Shanghai in 2020 would understand—it was a chaotic year, full of lockdowns and restrictions. The embassy was processing visas slowly, and life felt as though it was at a standstill. I realized I needed to get away and clear my mind, so I decided to go to Lingyan Mountain and stay at a Buddhist temple there.
I ended up spending three months at the temple. Those months were tough. I went there hoping for some kind of clarity, or even enlightenment—some breakthrough that would put my life back on track. But it wasn’t like that at all. Life at the temple was about endurance and routine, not miraculous awakenings. I kept waiting for some sign or feeling of transformation, but nothing came. I had to find peace slowly, day by day. The monks didn’t talk much, but they welcomed me in silence, sharing their simple meals and daily rituals. Gradually, my body started to feel better. I gained weight, my hands stopped trembling, and I cut down on smoking and drinking. Without the constant urge to check my phone, my mind became quieter. My future still seemed uncertain, and I was holding onto that $183 without any real idea of what to do next.
Before I left, one of the senior monks gave me some parting words: “Go as you came.” It felt cryptic, and I didn’t understand it fully then, but those words stayed with me. I realized it wasn’t about leaving the mountain transformed; it was about finding the strength to face life again, just as I was. When I left, I downloaded Binance again and decided to start fresh with what little I had left. I wasn’t sure what the future held, but I knew I had to give trading another try, this time with a new mindset.
Here’s how I restructured my entire approach and how I made it through:
1. Focus on a Core Group of Cryptocurrencies
I realized that chasing every new coin was a recipe for disaster. Instead, I chose to focus on a handful of assets: BTC , ETH , BNB , #SOL , and #DOGE . Over time, I reduced it further, until now I primarily trade only BTC and ETH. This narrowed focus allowed me to study their patterns, understand market sentiment better, and stay disciplined. Jumping from coin to coin had led to poor decisions in the past, but this time, I was committed to staying patient with just a few assets.
2. Build a Strict Daily Routine
I established a routine to keep myself grounded. Every day, I wake up at 6:30 AM, take a cold shower, and do a morning exercise. The cold showers, especially during winter, were hard at first but quickly became essential for staying alert and clearing my mind. It was a way to start the day with discipline, and I noticed it sharpened my focus before I even sat down to trade.
3. Begin Each Day Outside the House
I found that trading at home created a lot of mental clutter. Instead, I started each day by heading out, usually stopping by KFC for a coffee to kickstart my morning. This separation helped me treat trading as a job, with clear boundaries. I made a rule never to open any trading software at home. It kept me disciplined and prevented those impulsive trades that had cost me so much in the past.
4. Trade with Low Leverage and Take Gradual Long Positions
One of the biggest lessons I learned was to avoid high leverage. I began focusing on low-leverage long positions, aiming for slow, steady growth rather than quick gains. I rarely went short, except in specific situations, like after major price rises. For example, I started shorting cautiously around $71,000, and I first tested this around $69,500, using stop-losses at each stage. When I saw an opportunity, I would add to the position gradually, letting my profits run instead of closing too soon. I found it essential to stick to the plan and avoid adding positions impulsively.
5. Implement Rigorous Risk Management and Hedging with Options
Hedging became a cornerstone of my strategy. When I had a strong directional prediction, I’d open a hedge position, using options at major resistance levels. For example, if the trend started reversing near resistance, I’d raise my take-profit and let the hedge run. I would also do “T” trades (short-term trades for quick profits), but this was something I practiced only after gaining experience. For new traders, I wouldn’t recommend this, as it’s risky without a clear understanding of the market.
6. Take Cooling-Off Periods After Each Market Cycle
After each big cycle, I’d take a half-month break. During this time, I’d switch to a phone with no trading apps, creating a complete disconnect from the markets. This cooling-off period kept me from making impulsive trades during moments of excitement or panic. After significant wins, it’s easy to lose perspective, but by taking these breaks, I could approach the market with a clear head once I returned.
7. Maintain the Habit of Daily Transfers and Structured Withdrawals
Throughout these years, I kept up the habit of transferring money daily into my fund account. Initially, it was $1, but I gradually increased it to $5 a day. Additionally, I followed a strict rule to withdraw 20% of profits to buy in the spot market. This helped diversify my holdings and allowed me to accumulate some spot positions, which I would hold for the long term. Some of these spot trades ended up at a loss, while others multiplied several times over. I would usually take out the principal once I was in profit, then set multiple take-profit orders at different levels, like 2x, 3x, 4x, and 5x. Even if some of these positions faced big drawdowns, I stayed patient and held on, only selling if they hit a pre-set stop-loss.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Through four years of sticking to this disciplined approach, I’ve managed to avoid blowing up my account. My spot holdings have provided about 40% of my total profits, while my main gains came from trading contracts. If there’s one thing I’d say to anyone with only a small amount left—like $100 or $200—it’s this: step back, refine your mindset, and build a structured trading system. It’s not about making a million overnight. If you focus on steady, controlled growth, you can turn that small sum into something significant over time.
In this journey, I learned that patience, discipline, and self-control matter more than any quick strategy. It took four years of building habits, managing risk, and following a structured plan, but now I know it’s possible to climb back, even from just $183. It’s not an easy path, but if you’re willing to commit, that long-term approach is everything.

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