A friend I met three years ago got himself into debt trading crypto, even broke up with his girlfriend. At that time, he was left with only 10,000 USDT, pieced together from borrowing across various platforms. I didn't give him any insider tips or catch any explosive rallies; we just used the most basic methods, and over three years, I helped him slowly grow that 10,000 USDT into 300,000 USDT.

During these thousand-plus days, we focused on just one thing: treating every trade as leveling up in a game—no rush, just steadily honing our skills. Today, I want to share some practical insights, all tested with real money.

**On Pumping and Dumping**
If the price rises quickly but falls slowly, it's usually the whales accumulating. Many people panic and sell during this phase, but that's actually just a shakeout. What does the real top look like? A sudden spike in volume and price, immediately followed by a waterfall-like crash, specifically to trap late buyers.

Conversely, if the price drops sharply but recovers slowly, that's whales quietly dumping. After a flash crash, a slow rebound isn't always a bottom-fishing opportunity—often, it's just the final blow. Never think, "It's dropped this much, how much lower can it go?" That mindset is a surefire way to get burned.

**On Volume Signals**
Heavy volume at the top doesn't always mean it's the peak, but a lack of volume at the top is truly dangerous. If there's still trading volume, it means capital is still vying, and there may be another surge; but if the top suddenly goes quiet, that's basically a sign of an imminent crash.

Don't rush in just because there's volume at the bottom—one spike in volume could just be a trap. Wait for it to consolidate for a while, then see continuous heavy volume over several days—that's the real time to build a position.

**On Trading Mindset**
Trading crypto is really about trading human psychology, and that psychology is all reflected in the volume. Candlestick charts show the result; volume is the emotional thermometer. If volume dries up, it means no one's playing; if it suddenly surges, it means real money is flowing in.

The hardest thing is mastering "nothing"—staying in cash when you should, without greed; acting decisively when you should, without panic. It's not about doing nothing, but about having a fully developed trading mindset.

The same logic applies to assets like $LINK : price and volume together are key. There will always be opportunities in crypto; what’s lacking are people who can control themselves and see things clearly. You're not slow—you're just stumbling blindly in the dark.