Most of the traders are too emotional to make a real profit. The only way to prevent the bankruptcy is to learn to hodl. The usual scenario is like this:
1. Buy Bitcoin.
2. Bitcoin doesn't rise.
3. Some altcoin rises 50-100-300---% in 2-3 days.
4. What to do, what to do.. Ok let's sell the bitcoins with 10-30% loss.
5. Now let's buy altcoins 1,2, 3,...
6. Yupee, they rise 10%! I'm rich!
7. Oh, no!! They lose 10-20% in several minutes! I can't sell because the exchange is broken!
8. Finally, exchange is working. I'll wait to get back where I bought it.
9. Oh, no! Alts lose another 50-80%!!!
10. Ok, let's sell now!
11. Look, Bitcoin is 20% above the last ATH and 50% above I sold it!
12. I'll wait for the big crash to buy it again. In the meantime I will spread FUD in the forum.
13. Finally, Bitcoin is 10% less than the previous ATH but 100% above where I sold it!
14. Let's buy now.
14. Oh, no! Bitcoin is down 10% again. Go to step 3. Rinse and repeat.

Balance at the end of the year:0