How to Trade Crypto During Periods of Extreme Fear and Greed

The crypto market has been riding a rollercoaster of emotions, swinging between neutral, fear, and greed over the past few weeks as volatility tightens its grip. Major cryptocurrencies have seen double-digit drops, suggesting that investors are cashing in on earlier gains.

According to the “Fear and Greed Index” by alternative.me, the last time market sentiment reached “Greed” was on June 24, fueled by the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC in January. However, Bitcoin’s subsequent drop to $58,000 from $63,000 quickly turned the mood bearish.

Despite briefly reclaiming the $60,000 mark, the index plunged to 30, signaling “Fear.” July opened to a neutral sentiment but quickly worsened as BTC dipped below $50,000.

The primary culprits behind this “Fear” are the German government’s selling pressure and the Mt. Gox creditor repayments. The German government’s recent move of 16,039 BTC (worth around $1 billion) triggered a price dip. However, they quickly reacquired 3,673 BTC, adding to the market’s volatility.

With Bitcoin struggling to stay above $58,000, online forums like X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, Telegram, 4Chan, and BitcoinTalk have been overflowing with bearish sentiment. The back-and-forth move was highlighted by Spot On Chain, which spurred market volatility.

Santiment data reveals that such widespread fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD)) often signal a potential rebound, catching the majority off guard. Meanwhile, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw inflows of $294.8 million on Monday, according to Farside Investors data.

This “Fear and Greed” dance highlights the market’s volatility. With multiple factors at play, short-term price movements could surprise even seasoned investors. As of now, the Fear and Greed Index reads 27, indicating a persistent “Fear” in the market.