Paper Hands
Slang for exiting a position at the first sign of stress because conviction is low.
Paper hands are traders who dump positions quickly when the market wobbles. On AsterDEX this shows up when BNB perpetuals wick 2–3% or funding spikes negative and traders flatten immediately, often locking in avoidable losses.
Why Paper Hands Appear
- Oversized positions: leverage or notional is too large, so small moves feel catastrophic.
- Weak thesis: trade entered from FOMO or copy-trading without real understanding.
- Scar tissue: previous rugs and liquidations create trigger-happy responses.
- Lack of plan: no pre-defined stop, targets, or risk budget.
Distinguish Panic from Discipline
| Action | Description | Healthy? |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-handing | Selling because the candle is red, no plan behind it | No—emotion-driven |
| Planned stop | Executing a pre-set risk level | Yes—core risk management |
| Thesis break | Exiting when data contradicts the idea | Yes—stay flexible |
How to Avoid Becoming Paper Hands
- Size inside comfort: keep liquidation distance wide enough to breathe.
- Write the thesis: note what must stay true; if it hasn’t broken, hold or scale logically.
- Use partial exits: take 25–50% off to calm emotions while leaving upside.
- Track metrics: funding, open interest, and liquidity depth help identify real danger vs noise.
When Fast Exits Are Smart
- Security risks (contract exploit, bridge compromise) emerge.
- Liquidity evaporates (LP unlock, massive withdrawals).
- Personal cash needs outweigh potential upside.
- Better trade surfaces and you have limited capital.
Cultural Context
Communities may poke fun at paper hands during Au campaigns or launch events, but profit is profit. The professional mindset is simple: act according to your plan, not someone else’s meme. If you reduce size intentionally, it’s risk management—not weakness.
Build conviction through research, keep risk proportional, and your hands—paper or diamond—will match your objectives instead of social pressure.
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