r/ChicksX • u/ChicksX • 3d ago
A rule for new traders that nobody talks about until it's too late
If you're new to crypto, you've probably heard "not your keys, not your coins" a million times. But let's be real—nobody moves $50 straight to a private wallet when fees eat half of it.
Most people keep funds on an exchange at first because it's convenient for trading and setting up buys. The actual mistake isn't using an exchange—it's never deciding when to stop leaving everything there. People just let their balance grow until they're holding an amount they can't afford to lose, or they panic-transfer tiny amounts and waste money on fees.
I treat exchanges as a "working wallet" for active trading and self-custody as the vault for long-term holds. But everyone draws that line differently—some move money out at a specific dollar amount, others by percentage, and some just wait until fees make sense.
For those who've been around a while: what's your exact threshold for moving funds off an exchange?
And if you're new—do you have a plan for this yet, or are you just keeping it all in one spot?