How Newcomers Can Survive and Turn the Tide in the 2026 Bear Market? My Experience Sharing~

Especially now, with Bitcoin dropping from last year's high of $124,000 to around $60,000-$70,000, with a total market cap evaporating over $2 trillion, the most critical thing isn't rushing to make big money by bouncing back, but rather surviving first, protecting your principal, and quietly building strength to prepare for the next real bull market.
Historically, bear markets tend to be long, and the most despairing moments often mark the true bottom. Many people can't withstand the pressure, cut their losses, make impulsive trades, go all-in on small coins, or get liquidated on leverage, ending up with zero principal and being forced out.
Step one: Make preserving your principal your top priority. Quickly convert most of your holdings (recommend 70-90%) into stablecoins like USDT or USDC, or withdraw directly to your bank account. Cash and stablecoins are the strongest assets in a bear market; they give you enough "ammunition" to boldly add positions when prices truly bottom out and macro shifts occur (such as the Fed cutting rates significantly or restarting QE). Don't be fooled by voices claiming the bottom is already in; institutions like Bernstein still say this is the weakest Bitcoin bear market in history—just a confidence crisis, not a systemic collapse. But bottoms often only appear when despair is extreme. Many analysts believe it might drag into Q3-Q4 2026 or even later.
Step two: Use dollar-cost averaging (DCA) to gradually build positions in mainstream coins. Invest a fixed amount weekly or monthly, mainly buying Bitcoin (the majority, e.g., 60%) and Ethereum (30%), with some good altcoins and meme coins (10%). Bear markets offer many low-price opportunities, and DCA helps you lower your average cost. For example, Bernstein maintains a Bitcoin target of $150,000 by the end of 2026, indicating they see this as a temporary correction. DCA in mainstream assets quietly accumulates at low levels, and when the bull market starts, the power of compound growth will be incredible.
Step three: Treat the bear market as the best window for self-upgrade and learning. Turn off price alerts, stop checking X, Reddit, or candlestick charts daily—these only amplify anxiety. Instead, spend time studying on-chain data (using Dune, Glassnode), researching protocol mechanisms, new narratives (DeFi, RWA, AI + blockchain), macroeconomics (interest rate paths, easing expectations), and even technical analysis and risk management. Bear markets are when knowledge barriers are highest; while others panic sell, you improve your understanding. When the next bull arrives, you'll easily distinguish real projects from scams. Many who profit in bull markets are self-taught during bear phases.
Step four: If you don't want to leave your funds idle, consider low-risk passive income options. Put stablecoins into financial products—most exchanges offer their own. Research platform rules and yields, choose relatively safe and stable products, with annualized returns of 5-15%. Don't just chase the highest yields, as they often come with higher risks. Prefer large exchanges for safety, or stake blue-chip assets like ETH or SOL, which offer around 7% annualized. Avoid high-risk yield farms, small coin LPs, or meme farms—smart contracts vulnerabilities, impermanent loss, or project failures can wipe out your principal. These small yields can help hedge inflation and time costs, preventing your money from losing value in vain.
Step five: If you're experienced and have high risk tolerance, selectively bottom-fish blue-chip assets. Wait until Bitcoin hits strong historical support levels (around $60,000), then buy in batches. Prioritize top 10-20 projects like BTC, ETH, SOL. Altcoins have a very high death rate in bear markets—over 90% may never recover. Diversify with a few good projects, and consider shorting or leverage hedging if you're experienced, but only with strict stop-losses—otherwise, liquidation risks are huge. Most people who try this end up losing big.
Finally, emotional management and life balance are the most overlooked but deadly factors. Bear markets don't kill with falling prices—they kill with prolonged anxiety and hopelessness. Reduce your time on crypto news, focus more on real life—work, side jobs, fitness, learning new skills, spending time with family and friends. Treat crypto as a side business or part of your investment portfolio, not your entire life. Those who endure and stay rational often earn the most in the bull market.
In summary: In a bear market, cash is king + dollar-cost averaging into mainstream assets + intense learning + patience for macro shifts—these are the most reliable paths to survival and reversal. Many now see this as the coldest, harshest winter, but it’s also a brewing ground for opportunity. How is your mindset right now? What’s your current position size?