Ethereum's test of steak cooking time: observing the 2340 fluctuation from a trading time perspective

My friend Xiao L recently asked me a common, old question—has ETH bottomed out now? I didn’t give him a direct answer; instead, I told him a story about cooking a steak. Because I’ve realized that what traders are truly troubled by is never the price itself, but rather a misjudgment of time.

In this market, too many people are led by immediate price fluctuations—some call for a rebound, others warn of a crash. Little do they realize that the most easily overlooked element in trading is precisely the power of time. Cooking a good steak takes time, and waiting for a true market reversal also requires patience. If you rush to act before the right time, what you end up with might not be a delicious meal, but self-inflicted harm.

Time, not Price—Why Traders Always Lose to Mindset

Recently, I was chatting with a seasoned trader who shared a perspective—everything can be systematized. He gave an example: cooking a steak doesn’t require advanced culinary skills, just a well-designed Excel sheet that maps temperature, thickness, and time. Follow the rules strictly, and even an ordinary cook can serve Michelin-level flavors.

Trading can be understood the same way. The difference is, most traders operate based on intuition, while those who truly profit rely on data and time management.

I looked at ETH’s 4-hour chart. According to the latest data, ETH is fluctuating around $1.98K, with a 24-hour increase of +1.73%. But at this price level, in my “steak cooking” system, it’s still in a weak recovery phase.

Many see the rebound and get excited, thinking the time has come. But if you observe the resistance levels—there’s still a lot of trapped positions around 2380 to 2400—you’ll realize this isn’t the “done” moment; it’s more like “cooling down” further.

This is the value of the time dimension. It tells you there’s no need to rush now.

The Excel Sheet for Cooking Steak: Replacing Feelings with System

The real trading logic should look like this—

Ingredients: ETH
Current State: Weak recovery phase (not yet at the right temperature)
Key Temperature (Resistance Level): 2380-2400 zone
Volume Requirement: When rebounding to resistance, trading volume must also increase
Failure Signal (Burnt): If the price breaks through 2430, it indicates my analysis was wrong—stop loss and cut losses immediately
Cooling Target: First watch 2266, then look at the previous low of 2156

The core of this sheet isn’t about perfect prediction, but about replacing feelings and guesses with time and rules. When the price reaches resistance but volume doesn’t support it, my move is to decisively open a short—this isn’t gambling, it’s executing according to the system.

If the data breaks the logic of the sheet (for example, breaking 2430), I immediately admit my mistake and adjust my strategy. This discipline is the key to turning “cooking a steak” from an art into a science.

Current ETH Temperature Check: Resistance, Volume, and Risk Control Lines

Right now, ETH shows a typical oscillating recovery pattern. The price repeatedly tests the 2340 level, with clear resistance above, but the breakout volume remains insufficient. This indicates the market is still in a “frozen” stage—big money hasn’t truly entered.

A common mistake is to see every small rebound as a sign that the opportunity has arrived. But the time window in trading isn’t every bounce; it only appears when the three elements—price, volume, and time—align perfectly. That’s the real “cooking” moment.

At this stage, ETH is still in testing. The overhead trapped positions are too heavy, so even a rebound could be quickly suppressed. My risk control line is set at 2430—if it breaks here, it signals a real reversal; if it keeps oscillating near resistance, treat it like spoiled meat—best not to rush in.

Self-Discipline in Trading Systems: Do You Have Your Own Systematic Sheet?

Returning to Xiao L’s question. He said he’s always itching to buy the dip, feeling like it’s not falling anymore. My advice is—treat this impulse as a warning signal.

If you don’t have a strict Excel sheet guiding you on when to enter, when to stop-loss, and when to wait, then your trading is just relying on “gut feeling.” In this mode, making money is just luck, and losing money is inevitable.

True trading masters all have a systematic set of rules. These rules have been tested through multiple market cycles, with each decision point backed by clear data and time conditions. Only with this can you stay calm amid market temptations.

A good system tells you: not every rebound should be participated in, not every decline is a buy-the-dip opportunity. Time will tell you when to act and when to hold back.

The current market needs to be “fully cooked” before entering, not “half-raw” and rushing to bite. Traders who jump in out of impatience often end up with “indigestion.”

Does your trading system include a strict timetable and rule sheet? Or are you always fighting with feelings and impulses? The answer to this question might determine your ultimate trading fate.