Whenever the market fluctuates, there's always a group of people whose accounts are wiped out before they start blaming others. They curse the platform manipulation, blame the black market makers for bleeding, complain that the market gives no way out—but few ask themselves a question: what truly buries you, is it the market, or yourself?
A harsh reality is that in most liquidation cases, the same pattern can be observed. Holding a principal of 10,000 USDT, a 500 USDT loss can keep someone awake at night, yet they turn around and open a position of 30,000 USDT. On the surface, it shows 5x leverage, but the actual risk has long soared to dozens of times. At this point, a mere 1% market fluctuation can wipe out the account entirely—this is not investing, it's gambling with your life.
Traders who truly survive in derivatives trading operate with a completely different approach. What are their characteristics? Patience. Most of the time, they are watching and waiting. Without high-probability signals, they resolutely do not act. Once an opportunity is confirmed, they execute precisely and swiftly, with stop-losses applied without hesitation. In contrast, many retail traders do the opposite—they rely on their emotions for dozens of trades a day. The more frequently they trade, the faster they lose, eventually becoming tools for providing liquidity to the market.
Is derivatives trading a tool or a gamble? The answer depends on how you use it. If you rely on feelings to leverage and frequently chase highs and kill lows, it’s a deadly gamble. But if you know how to control single-trade risk, strictly enforce stop-losses, and scientifically allocate positions, it can become a stable cash machine.
The simplest survival rule is straightforward: limit single-losses to no more than 5% of the total account balance—that's the first line of defense. With risk limits in place, you can then discuss how to amplify returns. Remember, no one turns things around with a single all-in bet; all consistent gains come from exchanging probability for time. Self-control is always the most scarce quality in derivatives trading.
View Original
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
12 Likes
Reward
12
8
Repost
Share
Comment
0/400
LayerZeroHero
· 01-03 07:03
It's not wrong, but most people just can't listen.
---
Really, the mentality of going all-in can't be changed, whether you make more or lose.
---
A 5% risk limit sounds simple, but when it comes to execution, people start thinking "This time it will definitely work"... and then there's nothing afterward.
---
Everyone understands, but the word "restraint" is damn hard to do.
---
Waiting for this thing is a thousand times harder than adding leverage.
---
It's not that the market is ruthless, but that you're too greedy. Who's to blame if your account is wiped out?
---
Frequent trading is really more exciting than gambling, no wonder people get poorer the more they play.
---
What you see is quite right, but the problem is no one can actually do it...
---
For the single trade 5% line, I bet on ten coins and someone still crosses the boundary.
---
There are very few examples of going all-in to turn things around, but it has inspired so many newbies.
View OriginalReply0
ForkTrooper
· 01-01 16:04
It's really hitting home. All the liquidations around me follow this pattern.
I just can't help it, brother. When the account is small, it's easier to get carried away.
The 5% stop-loss line must be engraved in your mind, or you'll be doomed sooner or later.
Hey, wait a minute. This theory sounds simple, but very few people actually do it.
Frequent trading is truly poison. I am a living example myself.
It's really a mindset issue. Those who understand the rules are doing well, while the rest are just feeding the fish.
View OriginalReply0
GasWaster69
· 01-01 14:53
Honestly, losing 500 on ten thousand can't sleep, turn around and open a 30,000 position? That's not gambling with your life, it's just asking to die.
---
Every time the market drops, it's the same story, a bunch of people start shifting blame, I just want to laugh, really.
---
I've known about the 5% stop-loss for a long time, but I just can't execute it, it's too difficult.
---
What stable cash machine? Just listen, not many people can really do it.
---
Frequent trading is truly a common flaw among retail investors. If you can't change this habit, just wait to be drained.
---
The word "waiting" is so accurate. Most of the time, it's just watching the show, and only act when there's an opportunity.
---
Either investing or gambling with your life, this phrase hits right in the heart, so accurate.
View OriginalReply0
StablecoinArbitrageur
· 2025-12-31 17:50
actually the 5% rule checks out mathematically... ran the numbers on my backtests (n=8000 trades) and the risk-adjusted returns spike noticeably once you enforce strict position sizing. most retail traders are just... statistically illiterate about drawdown probability distributions tbh
Reply0
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
· 2025-12-31 17:50
It's really heartbreaking, but no one listens. As soon as they get liquidated, they start shifting blame.
Those who go all-in will never learn; they always use their living expenses to test probabilities.
A 5% stop loss is such a simple thing, yet some still insist on betting ten times the amount.
It looks like playing with fire—who's to blame then?
Honestly, self-control is a hundred times harder than technical skills.
For those of us who trade emotionally dozens of times a day, I advise them to go home early.
People with stable returns are waiting; retail traders are all gambling.
In the end, it's greed and fear causing the chaos, not the market itself.
Contracts are tools and also a mirror that reveals human nature.
A 1% fluctuation and it's gone? That requires ridiculously high leverage.
If you lack risk management awareness, don't touch contracts—it's like giving away money.
View OriginalReply0
ContractBugHunter
· 2025-12-31 17:41
That's so true, the hardest part is definitely restraint.
View OriginalReply0
ClassicDumpster
· 2025-12-31 17:38
Exactly right, it's all about restraint, really. Look at those who get liquidated every day—aren't they all just itching to stop?
That 5% risk control sounds simple, but it takes a lot of mental strength to actually implement... Most people can't do it.
Frequent trading is just giving the exchange transaction fees, and they still think they're "bottom fishing"—it's hilarious.
View OriginalReply0
degenwhisperer
· 2025-12-31 17:30
You're not wrong, but self-control is just too hard.
Really, there are so many people who open 3x leverage just after losing 500U, I know a few around me.
The key is mindset. Once you start trading frequently, you can't stop.
With contracts, it all depends on your self-discipline. Most people can't even stick to a 5% stop-loss.
The thrill of going all-in is great, but when the account is gone, it doesn't hit you that fast.
Honestly, the market is just so big; you're making money because others are losing. Don't blame the market.
Whenever the market fluctuates, there's always a group of people whose accounts are wiped out before they start blaming others. They curse the platform manipulation, blame the black market makers for bleeding, complain that the market gives no way out—but few ask themselves a question: what truly buries you, is it the market, or yourself?
A harsh reality is that in most liquidation cases, the same pattern can be observed. Holding a principal of 10,000 USDT, a 500 USDT loss can keep someone awake at night, yet they turn around and open a position of 30,000 USDT. On the surface, it shows 5x leverage, but the actual risk has long soared to dozens of times. At this point, a mere 1% market fluctuation can wipe out the account entirely—this is not investing, it's gambling with your life.
Traders who truly survive in derivatives trading operate with a completely different approach. What are their characteristics? Patience. Most of the time, they are watching and waiting. Without high-probability signals, they resolutely do not act. Once an opportunity is confirmed, they execute precisely and swiftly, with stop-losses applied without hesitation. In contrast, many retail traders do the opposite—they rely on their emotions for dozens of trades a day. The more frequently they trade, the faster they lose, eventually becoming tools for providing liquidity to the market.
Is derivatives trading a tool or a gamble? The answer depends on how you use it. If you rely on feelings to leverage and frequently chase highs and kill lows, it’s a deadly gamble. But if you know how to control single-trade risk, strictly enforce stop-losses, and scientifically allocate positions, it can become a stable cash machine.
The simplest survival rule is straightforward: limit single-losses to no more than 5% of the total account balance—that's the first line of defense. With risk limits in place, you can then discuss how to amplify returns. Remember, no one turns things around with a single all-in bet; all consistent gains come from exchanging probability for time. Self-control is always the most scarce quality in derivatives trading.