In recent years in the crypto world, the most suffocating thing isn't necessarily market crashes or contract liquidations—it's the feeling of finally earning money only to have it stuck at the final step of withdrawal.

Some time ago, a buddy of mine called me late at night, trembling on the phone, saying he tried to convert 500,000 USDT into fiat and deposit it into his bank card, but the next day, all non-counter transactions were frozen. The money wasn't lost, but he couldn't move it. That feeling... earning real silver and gold, but the blood and sweat money is frozen—more devastating than a liquidation.

Later, I found out he was involved indirectly. He was doing normal OTC trades, but happened to get caught up with scammer funding chains. These scam groups are especially ruthless now, targeting ordinary traders as the "end point" of their funds. When banks and police investigate, they first freeze the intermediary accounts.

What to do in this situation? Don't panic. Most of the time, it can be resolved, as long as you cooperate actively. Prepare all transaction records, chat screenshots, transfer receipts—proof that your transaction chain is legitimate. Once verified, the funds can be unfrozen. The process... is tedious and time-consuming.

So I adjusted my strategy later. Making money in crypto is one thing, but being able to safely withdraw your funds is the real skill. Here's what I do now: I have a dedicated OTC bank card, never mix it with daily expenses or transfers from friends and family. I focus on one thing. I only work with long-term, reputable trading partners, never chase arbitrage with unfamiliar accounts. For large withdrawals, I split them into several smaller transactions, transfer in stages, and after each transfer, I let the funds sit for two days before doing anything else.

Honestly, making money is just the first half of the test; securely holding onto your profits is the real win. In crypto, it's not just about technical analysis and trading skills—it's about maturity and risk awareness. Being able to protect your earnings—that's what makes you a true veteran.