Fear and Greed Index signals prolonged pessimism despite higher Bitcoin prices
Crypto market sentiment continues to weaken as investor confidence remains deeply negative. For the 14th consecutive day, the widely watched Crypto Fear & Greed Index has stayed in the “extreme fear” zone, reflecting persistent caution across the digital asset market even as Bitcoin trades far above past crisis levels.
As of Dec. 26, the index slipped to a score of 20 out of 100, marking one of the longest uninterrupted stretches of extreme fear since the index began tracking sentiment in 2018. This reading is lower than levels seen during the 2022 exchange collapse, a period when Bitcoin fell close to $16,000. Today, Bitcoin is trading near $88,650, roughly 30% below its recent all-time high of $126,080.
Market confidence has steadily declined since early October, when renewed U.S. China tariff concerns erased nearly $500 billion from total crypto market value. Additional pressure comes from fears that the U.S. Federal Reserve may delay interest rate cuts in early 2026, a scenario that could push Bitcoin toward $70,000 if rates remain unchanged.
Search interest, online discussions, and social activity around crypto have dropped to levels typically associated with bear markets. Retail investors appear discouraged and largely inactive, while traditional investors continue entering through spot Bitcoin ETFs, which have attracted over $25 billion in inflows during 2025, despite Bitcoin posting a modest year-to-date decline.
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.