Your friend cannot loss his assets if he traded on spot, he might have crossed the line of beginners stage to margin trading, futures and contracts, if he was clam enough to buy assets in spot while the price decreases, it's still a good step but he fails to do that.

What your friend will do to be a good trader to first know himself the kind of trader he will become, long term trader or short term trader. If he decides on short term trading, let him go learn about futures. If he choose to become long term, spot should be his backyard.