"In the stock exchange market, 90% of traders fail to be profitable yearly. Based on significant brokers' statistics, 80 percent of traders lose, 10 percent of traders are break-even, and 10 percent make money consistently."
https://www.forex.in.rs/why-traders-lose-money-in-forex/Shorting is not as easy as borrowing iphone and giving back when new is about to be released. At least this example is way too simplified.
To short:
1- you have to have collateral
2- you are exposed to margin call
3- most inexperienced traders will sooner or later gamble with leverage
4- you are exposed to flash crash
5- you have to hold founds on exchanges (you are exposed to exit scams, haks, "liquidity issues")
6- you are exposed to short squeez
Shorting is for experienced traders. At least 5 years of trading/investing.
Yes ... if you short, you actually make bitcoins on the way down. You protect yourself, you collect blood from the streets. It might be unethical but it might benefit you in the long term.
There is nothing unethical in this. Every trader brings liquidity into market - helps other traders/investors. Thanks to your sell order someone who wanted to buy, bought cheaper (would fill in next order in order book, most likely with higher price). Thanks to you, closing your short position and your buy order someone who wanted to sell have liquidity to sell at higher price. Every trader brings net positive value for others. No mater if short/long trader.