A Beginner's Guide for Newbies in the Crypto World: Avoiding 90% Eyewash

If you are a newbie who has just entered the crypto world, with no one to guide you and relying solely on your own exploration, you are likely to fall into pitfalls – even losing everything. This is not an exaggeration: too many people enter and are targeted by Ponzi schemes and pig-butchering scams, only to realize they have become "chives" when the project collapses and the tokens become worthless.
But there is really no need to deny everything because of this: blockchain is just a technology, and it has nothing to do with "scams"; what is being misused is the gray area of token finance (illegal financing, market manipulation, money laundering, etc.). To survive in the crypto world, the key is not to be afraid, but to first understand the "rules of the game."
Step 1: Learn the basics first, then deal with money.
The "survival threshold" in the crypto world is not high, but the "basic understanding" is a must. If you can't understand these things, it's like walking with your eyes closed:
Core concepts: What is blockchain? What is the difference between cryptocurrencies and USDT? How to use decentralized wallets (cold wallets, hot wallets, Web3 wallets)? Why are mnemonic phrases and private keys considered "lifelines" (losing them is equivalent to losing money)?
Tool Knowledge: How to choose an exchange (prioritize compliant top-tier platforms)? Which network to choose for USDT transfers (TRC20/ERC20, selecting incorrectly may result in losing coins)? How to safely cash out (what to pay attention to in OTC transactions)?
Industry Context: What roles are there in the crypto world (project parties, exchanges, market makers)? What are the differences between mainstream ecosystems (Ethereum, TRON, etc.)?
This knowledge doesn't need to be bought with money; spend 1-2 weeks to understand: if you don't understand that "wallet private keys cannot be shared," you might be tricked by scammers claiming to "manage your finances" and lose your assets; if you can't distinguish between "air coins" and mainstream coins, you can easily be lured into the hype of "hundredfold coins."
Step 2: Avoid these 3 types of traps to reduce losses by 80%.
There are only a few types of eyewash in the crypto world, remember the "three don'ts" to basically avoid pitfalls:
Do not touch projects that promise "principal protection and high interest": Any claims of "guaranteed profits" or "30% monthly interest" are 99% likely to be a scam (using the money of new investors to pay "dividends" to old investors, and a crash is just a matter of time).
Don't trust the "copy trading masters": those analysts who shout "I'll help you double your money" every day are either trying to earn your transaction fees or getting you to take over the garbage coins they hold. If they could really make a steady profit, they would have silently made a fortune by now.
Don't touch "strange links / APP": links for "airdrop coins" or "internal channels" in messages and communities may lead to phishing websites - stealing your wallet's private key, causing your money to be wiped out instantly.
Step 3: Establish the right "money-making perspective"
There are indeed people who become rich in the crypto world, but it's not your turn as a newbie. To keep your money, remember these 3 points:
First "0撸" then "light investment": In the newbie stage, spend no money if possible (for example, participate in airdrops from legitimate platforms). If you really want to invest, only use spare money (losses won't affect your life), and only buy mainstream coins (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc., those in the top 20 by market cap are relatively stable).
Regular investment is more reliable than "swing trading": don't think about making quick money by "buying low and selling high" — you can't keep up with the market makers, nor can you accurately predict the market trends. It's better to buy in batches at low prices, hold for 1-2 years, and profit from the cyclical dividends (the crypto world has obvious bull and bear cycles, and mainstream coins are likely to rise in the long term).
Admit "I don't understand": When encountering incomprehensible patterns (such as "mining machine hosting" and "quantitative arbitrage"), assume it's an eyewash first; if you make money, don't get carried away, and if you lose money, don't complain — the money in the crypto world is essentially money from "cognitive disparity". If your understanding is inadequate, what you earn by luck can also be lost by skill.
To be honest: there are no "teachers" in the crypto world, only "hunters" and "prey". The only one you can rely on is yourself — first spend time enhancing your understanding, then take small risks, and when you truly understand the rules, consider "riding the wind".
Remember: Those who can survive in the crypto world are never the ones who gamble the most, but rather those who understand "not to gamble" the best.