From $3K to $40 Million: Inside the Journey of Legendary Trader Ao Ying

·

In the volatile world of crypto trading, few names command as much respect as Ao Ying — a trader who transformed from a debt-ridden degen into a multi-million-dollar earner through sheer grit, real-time execution, and unshakable conviction. With documented returns exceeding 20,000%, single trades netting over $1.4 million**, and follower profits surpassing **$1.8 million, Ao Ying has become synonymous with high-impact, event-driven trading.

This deep dive unpacks his evolution, mindset shifts, and the core principles behind his meteoric rise — from surviving the infamous “$20K curse” to mastering market psychology and quietly compounding wealth in today’s fragmented landscape.

No Quitting: How OKX Gave Him His First Break

Ao Ying didn’t leap into full-time trading overnight.

“I was working in internet product development. In 2020, I got exposed to Web3 out of professional curiosity, and by 2021, I started futures trading with just a few thousand RMB — part of my monthly salary.”

His early journey was marked by losses. Like many beginners, he oscillated between wins and drawdowns, ultimately ending up in the red. But unlike most, he didn’t give up.

Instead of quitting his job impulsively, he used OKX’s copy trading feature as a springboard. Under the handle all in crypto, he achieved triple returns within six months, all while maintaining low drawdowns. That performance caught attention — and built his first wave of followers.

👉 Discover how real-time trading platforms can accelerate your learning curve.

This success gave him the confidence to leave his 9-to-5 and go all-in on trading — not because he had mastered every indicator, but because he had proven results on a public ledger.

Learning from Winners: The Power of Real-Time Observation

While most traders dive into technical analysis textbooks or YouTube tutorials, Ao Ying took a different path — one rooted in direct observation of profitable traders.

“I never followed a structured learning path. Instead, I spent time on live trading platforms, watching real traders’ moves, joining their communities, and asking them: Why did you open this trade? Why close here?”

He didn’t seek a magic formula. Instead, he absorbed patterns, decision-making logic, and risk management habits from those who were already winning.

This observational learning — combined with countless losing trades — became his education. Each loss wasn’t just a number; it was data for refinement.

Eventually, through imitation, trial, error, and relentless practice, he developed an intuitive sense for market rhythm — what many call "trading feel."

Breaking Through the $20K Barrier: The Psychology of Profit

For many retail traders, hitting $20K feels like a ceiling. Ao Ying hit it — repeatedly — only to lose it all again.

“It wasn’t about lacking skill. It was about psychology. When you’re underwater, fear distorts judgment. You stop cutting losses. You revenge trade. You ignore your own rules.”

He admits: He wasn’t ready until he was desperate enough to change.

Only after losing nearly everything did he adopt strict discipline:

“I started treating every trade like it could be my last. I’d stay awake for 40–50 hours during big moves — not because I had to, but because I chose to focus.”

That mental shift — from survival mode to disciplined execution — allowed him to break through the psychological wall.

And when the AI and meme coin rallies of 2024 hit, he was ready. Three consecutive waves — AI tokens, memecoins, and inscriptions — pushed him past $1 million in equity.

Ditching Indicators: Why Cognitive Edge Beats Technical Tools

Ao Ying once studied every known trading system: double moving averages, EMA crossovers, Fibonacci retracements, Elliott Wave theory, Turtle trading strategies — you name it.

But today?

“I barely use any indicators. Maybe volume and price action. That’s it.”

Why?

Because indicators don’t create edge — cognition does.

“Indicators are lagging reflections of emotion. They might help you enter slightly better, but they won’t make you rich.”

He now focuses on event-driven trading, where understanding macro narratives and market sentiment matters far more than chart patterns.

Take one of his most profitable trades:

This wasn’t based on RSI divergence or MACD crosses — it was pure narrative anticipation.

“In ranging markets, we profit from people doing stupid things — buying tops, selling bottoms. We’re essentially earning ‘dumb money’ premiums.”

But when trends emerge, even top traders can get shaken out. That’s why Ao Ying constantly evaluates whether a move is structural or speculative.

Spotting Gems: How He Finds the Next Big Mover

When managing smaller capital, Ao Ying focused on high-volatility altcoins driven by narrative heat.

One standout example: Homer (Hippo) during ETH’s 80% rally.

“ETH rose for four straight days. Retail FOMO built up. People missed the boat — so they chased related low-cap plays.”

He identified Homer early — not via charts, but via:

Entered long after a minor pullback — then exited near the top using insider-like awareness of exchange listing timelines.

“It wasn’t technical analysis. It was understanding how listings work. If it hasn’t launched on major exchanges yet, the pump likely isn’t over.”

Nine winning trades later — total gain: +4 million USDT.

Later, with PEOPLE token:

His rule? Never dump on followers.

“I exit gradually. Let others get out first. Trust is more valuable than squeezing an extra 5%.”

Risk Management: Leverage Is Not the Hero

Many assume Ao Ying’s success came from reckless leverage. Reality?

“Yes, I used 5x on BCH early on. But after that? Mostly 1x–3x. Sometimes even 0.5x.”

Here’s why:

As capital grew, psychological pressure increased exponentially. A 2% move against him could mean six-figure losses — even at low leverage.

So he adapted:

Even when his public trades show 10x leverage, the actual risk exposure is often half due to staggered entries and withdrawals.

“True risk control isn’t about avoiding leverage — it’s about aligning position size with mental comfort.”

His golden rule?

“Never let a single trade threaten your survival.”

Event Trading Mastery: Speed + Interpretation = Edge

Ao Ying doesn’t rely on secret tools or insider info.

His setup?

But the real advantage?

Speed of interpretation.

Markets react instantly to news — but often misinterpret it.

His edge lies in asking:

Example: The Mt. Gox repayment scare caused BTC to drop 5%. But he saw it as temporary panic — and positioned for reversal.

“Sometimes price moves first, reason comes later. You must distinguish between real catalysts and post-hoc narratives.”

That ability to filter signal from noise lets him act before consensus forms.

👉 See how fast markets move — and why timing is everything.

Bitcoin Outlook: No Deep Bear Market Ahead

Despite short-term volatility, Ao Ying remains bullish long-term on Bitcoin.

Key reasons:

“Even if BTC drops 25%, it won’t be like past crashes. The floor is higher now.”

He expects sideways grinding action — frustrating for traders, ideal for accumulators.

“The best gains come after pain. If there’s no deep correction, expect slow, painful climbs.”

For now, he’s waiting for a pullback before re-entering longs — not trying to catch every tick.

Advice for Small Accounts: Build Before You Bet

To aspiring traders starting small:

  1. Don’t trade with debt
    Leverage amplifies both gains and emotional damage.
  2. Engage in early-stage projects
    Instead of gambling on price swings, contribute to real Web3 development — earn tokens pre-launch.
  3. Grow capital organically
    Use early wins to build a base — then apply disciplined trading.
“If you’re truly new and undercapitalized, don’t rush into high-leverage plays. Learn by doing — but do it safely.”

True growth comes from compounding small wins — not moonshot gambles.

Why Smart Learners Still Lose

Many diligent students fail not because they lack knowledge — but because trading exposes personality flaws.

“The market magnifies your weaknesses: greed, fear, impatience.”

Some successful traders aren’t analysts — they’re instinctive players with extreme discipline during key moments.

Ao Ying knows traders who:

“Winning isn’t about perfect strategy — it’s about consistency after failure.”

If you can learn from losses instead of quitting, you’ll eventually find your edge.

Final Truth: He’s No Longer Sharing Publicly

Despite past transparency — sharing entry points, leverages, exit logic — Ao Ying has gone quiet.

Why?

“Projects now use me as exit liquidity. When I signal a trade, people get trapped at the top.”

So he’s shifting gears:

“I’d rather make less money than hurt those who trust me.”

He still trades the same way — but now does so in silence.

Who Should You Follow Instead?

Ao Ying recommends studying these proven traders:

All manage $50M+, have verifiable track records, and focus on real-market dynamics over hype.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What was Ao Ying’s starting capital?
A: Around $3,000–$5,000 USD equivalent in early 2021. He grew it steadily through compounding and timely event-based trades.

Q: Did he really earn $40 million?
A: While exact net worth isn’t confirmed, multiple verified trades show cumulative profits exceeding $4 million in 2024 alone. The $40M figure likely includes peak portfolio value across cycles.

Q: Does he still use stop-losses?
A: Yes — but flexibly. He uses cost-price breaks as dynamic exits for breakout trades and employs partial profit-taking in volatile moves.

Q: Is copy trading safe following Ao Ying today?
A: Not recommended publicly. He no longer shares live positions due to concerns over follower exploitation.

Q: What exchange does he use?
A: Primarily OKX for its copy trading infrastructure and risk controls — which helped launch his career.

Q: Can beginners replicate his success?
A: Not directly — but they can emulate his principles: learn from winners, prioritize risk management, embrace losses as tuition, and develop cognitive edge over time.

👉 Start building your own trading journey with tools trusted by pros.