Yesterday, the market was paused for a day.

It's not because of laziness, but because after entering a long position at 2015 in the morning, I left the order hanging all day without moving it. Anyone who trades knows that feeling — the order is inside, but the mindset is outside. Saying one more word might disturb others' rhythm.

Waiting until the CPI announcement in the evening, worried about a spike, I licked my lips and left. Looking back, I missed out on a late-night surge.

Is it regretful? A bit. But trading is like that — you can't catch every move. Preserving your capital is always the top priority.

These days have been very interesting: rising in the first half of the night, falling back in the second half, back and forth, like playing mahjong, thoroughly shaking out those chasing highs and selling lows. Many people ask: What is this market trying to do?

Actually, the answer is written plainly on the chart.

1980 is the previous dense trading zone and also the key breakout point below the recent narrow-range consolidation; 2100 has become an obvious high-pressure zone. Both bulls and bears are tugging within this less than 120-point range, neither daring to relax first.

In this situation, my approach is simple: until there's a clear breakout above 1980-2100, prioritize left-side trading — short at the top, long at the bottom.

But there's one iron rule — stop-losses must be strictly enforced. In this narrow-range market, once a breakdown occurs, it accelerates. No stop-loss means giving the main players a free kill.

Those familiar with Lao Bao know that recently I’ve been giving low long positions, and I haven't missed much. But honestly, watching it rise smoothly and then fall again makes me itchy — I haven't caught a single short, and I see profits slipping through my fingers.

Itching is one thing, but hands can't be reckless. Making money within your understanding is normal, missing opportunities is also part of it.

Today, I’ll clarify the strategy in advance $ETH :

Currently, the price is around 2025, approaching a strong support zone below. Near 2015-2006, continue to position for longs — the risk-reward ratio is still good.

Stop-loss: 1972 (a key support level on the daily chart; if the candle closes below, admit mistake)

Target: Let’s not overthink this round. Take profits around 2068, reducing 70% of the position first. After moving the stop-loss up, observe the breakout situation between 2100-2140.

For those wanting to try short positions, I suggest just watching. Don’t get swayed by Lao Bao — I’ve been leaning towards a breakout recently, even though each round of long positions has been closed at breakeven. The fact that it keeps falling back from highs shows there’s significant selling pressure above.

Whether you get it right or wrong doesn’t matter; surviving is what counts.

This market is a contest of patience. Those who can wait will hold on; those who can hold will profit.