In the crypto world over the years, I've seen countless newbies fall into pitfalls. The development of the crypto world has reached a point where the number of coins has exploded—from the initial few players like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin to now thousands of coins listed on exchanges, and on-chain there are even millions.

A common misconception among newbies is that mainstream coin prices are high and lack investment value, while those cheaper altcoins have greater potential for price increases and are easier to make quick money. Is it really like that?

The reality is: if you invest 10,000 yuan to buy Bitcoin and altcoins separately, although the altcoins may seem to have a more aggressive increase, they also drop more sharply when they lose. Bitcoin wins in terms of stability. Not long ago, a certain altcoin crashed 70% at midnight; such things basically do not happen with mainstream coins. Altcoins dance to the rhythm of the whales, and the risks are completely uncontrollable.

So here are a few tips for retail investors:

**If you want to trade futures with leverage, only touch Bitcoin and Ethereum futures.** Don't engage with mainstream and altcoin leveraged contracts. High volatility can indeed lead to wealth, but it can also accelerate losses. Most people cannot handle that kind of rollercoaster volatility. The leverage in contracts itself is an amplifier, and when combined with high-volatility assets, the risks grow exponentially.

**In the futures of Bitcoin and Ethereum, you can judge the market and apply appropriate leverage**—this way, the money earned won't be less than altcoins, but the probability of loss is lower instead. A stable fundamental combined with a rational leverage multiple is the way to survive long-term.