If you’ve spent any time in the trading world — Forex, crypto, stocks — you’ve probably heard this scary statistic: 90% of traders lose money.
That means only a small fraction of people who enter the markets ever make consistent profits. The rest? They blow accounts, give up, and walk away frustrated.
Why does this happen? Is it bad luck? A broken system? Market manipulation? Or is it something else entirely?
In this article, we’ll break down why most traders fail, the common mistakes that kill accounts, and what you can do to avoid becoming part of the 90% club.
Get ready for a dose of reality — because the truth isn’t pretty.
Before we dive in, let’s set the stage. Trading looks glamorous on social media. Influencers flaunt luxury cars, exotic vacations, and “trading from the beach” lifestyles. But the truth?
Behind those pictures are often:
The markets are brutal. For every trader who makes it, dozens fail. Not because it’s impossible, but because trading requires discipline, patience, and a mindset most people simply don’t have.
So why do 90% of traders stay broke? Let’s break it down.
Most new traders dive in without understanding how the markets actually work. They skip the learning process because:
The result? They trade blindly, using strategies they barely understand.
Example:
Imagine trying to fly a plane without taking a single lesson. That’s exactly what most traders do when they start clicking “buy” and “sell” without knowing what a candlestick chart even means.
The Fix:
Invest time in education. Learn about price action, risk management, and trading psychology before risking real money.
Leverage is a double-edged sword. It can amplify profits — but it can destroy your account even faster.
Most beginners see leverage as a shortcut to getting rich. They open $100 accounts and trade like they have $10,000. One wrong move, and the account is gone.
Example:
You have $100 in your account. With 1:500 leverage, you open a big position. The market moves against you by 20 pips — your account is wiped.
The Fix:
Use leverage responsibly. Just because a broker offers 1:500 leverage doesn’t mean you should use it.
Here’s the harsh truth: You can be wrong 50% of the time and still make money — if you manage risk.
But most traders do the opposite. They risk huge chunks of their account on every trade. One bad day and months of progress are gone.
Common Mistake:
The Fix:
Follow the golden rule: Never risk more than 1–2% of your account on a single trade. That way, even a losing streak won’t blow your account.
Most traders treat the market like a casino. They have no written plan, no defined entry and exit strategy, and no rules.
Instead, they trade based on:
Why this kills traders:
Without a plan, emotions take over. Fear and greed dictate every move.
The Fix:
Create a trading plan. It should include:
This one destroys more accounts than bad strategies ever will.
Here’s how it happens:
Before you know it, you’ve turned a small red day into a disaster.
Why it happens:
Ego. Traders hate losing, so they fight the market. But the market doesn’t care.
The Fix:
Set a daily loss limit. If you hit it, walk away. Go to the gym. Take a break. Live to fight another day.
Social media has convinced traders that you can turn $100 into $10,000 in a month. It’s possible — but extremely rare.
The reality? Professional traders aim for 5–10% per month. That’s enough to grow an account steadily.
But most beginners want instant riches. They overtrade, overleverage, and blow accounts chasing unrealistic goals.
The Fix:
Treat trading like a business, not a lottery ticket. Focus on consistency, not quick wins.
Trading is a waiting game. You have to sit on your hands until the perfect setup comes.
Most beginners can’t do that. They feel the need to trade every hour. They mistake activity for progress.
Result:
They take poor setups, lose money, and wonder why they can’t win.
The Fix:
Quality over quantity. Sometimes the best trade is no trade at all.
Fear and greed run the markets — and traders who can’t control them lose.
Example:
You’re up $50. You close the trade because you fear losing the profit. But when you’re down $50, you keep holding, hoping it turns around.
The Fix:
Stick to your plan. Use stop losses and take-profits to remove emotions from decisions.
Many traders jump from one strategy to another after a few losses.
They never give any system time to prove itself. The result? They stay in permanent beginner mode, always looking for a magic formula.
The Fix:
Pick one strategy, master it, and give it time. Backtest it. Trade it consistently for months.
Most traders treat trading like a hobby. They don’t track performance, don’t analyze mistakes, and don’t have clear goals.
Imagine running a business without knowing your expenses or profits. That’s how most traders operate.
The Fix:
The main reason 90% of traders fail isn’t lack of technical knowledge. It’s psychology.
The market is a mirror. It reflects your discipline, patience, and self-control. If you can’t control your emotions, you’ll never control your profits.
Absolutely — but it requires:
Trading is simple — but not easy. The rules are clear, yet most traders ignore them because they want fast money.
The truth is, you don’t lose to the market — you lose to yourself.
If you can master your mindset, manage your risk, and stay disciplined, you’ll separate yourself from the 90% who stay broke.
The market will always be there. The question is: Will you still have an account to trade with?
Why 90% of Traders Stay Broke — The Brutal Truth No One Tells You was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
Also read: How I Found My Trading Style After Trying Everything
