The one who can sell is the master; the one who can buy is the apprentice. This old saying is especially useful in stablecoin arbitrage because "selling"—that is, ending your position safely and smoothly—is the real test of skill. It’s not as simple as clicking a button, especially when the market trend is against you.

**When should you consider a full retreat?**

First, look at the yield. You’ll notice that the annualized returns from mining are gradually decreasing, eventually approaching or even falling below the cost of borrowing. At this point, the deal is no longer as profitable, and it might be time to step back.

Or you might find more attractive opportunities elsewhere. If the risk-reward ratio in another place is more enticing, and your funds could have more potential elsewhere, that’s also a signal.

Another sign is feeling that something’s off. If the protocol keeps having small issues, the community atmosphere becomes cold, or you’re extremely pessimistic about the market’s future, it’s time to consider exiting.

Of course, the most straightforward reason is personal needs. Buying a house or car, or needing cash temporarily—no matter how high the returns are, you have to prioritize your life.

**How to gracefully exit?**

Never wait until the market crashes or the network is clogged to rush your operations. At that point, gas fees are exorbitant, and mistakes are more likely.

The key is to plan ahead. Set your exit trigger conditions in advance, and act as soon as they’re met. Don’t hesitate or be greedy. This isn’t gambling; it’s disciplined trading.

Next, proceed step by step, slowly. First, withdraw your stablecoins from the mining pool. From this moment, your earnings stop, but your principal is safe. Second, wait patiently. If the market is still chaotic, wait for network stability and price stabilization. Holding stablecoins in reserve is perfectly fine.

Third, use the stablecoins you just retrieved to repay your loans. Carefully confirm that the debt is truly cleared—that’s crucial. Fourth, the final step is to fully retrieve all your collateral. After these four steps, you can truly say you’ve exited completely.

**Don’t forget to handle your reward tokens**

During the process, you’ll likely accumulate project tokens. At this stage, how should you handle them? Sell or hold? Think it through before acting. Some will remain optimistic about the project, others will cash out. There’s no absolute right or wrong—just have your own stance.

The entire process should be calm and cautious, like disassembling a precision instrument. Your goal is to safely recover your principal and profits, not to suffer losses due to mistakes or exorbitant gas fees at the last moment. An elegant full exit is a mark of a mature investor.