As a seasoned crypto investor with a decade-long journey in this rollercoaster market, I’ve learned to read between the lines of the Fear and Greed Index. When it turns green and hits 71, as it is now, I can’t help but feel a familiar pang of unease, akin to a party where the music is too loud and everyone’s dancing a little too wildly.


Over the past few days, as bitcoin (BTC) soared beyond $60,000, I’ve noticed a surge in investor enthusiasm. This optimism is clearly reflected in the Fear and Greed Index, a tool that gauges market sentiment, shifting to a green hue over the last two days.

According to data from Alternative.me, the Fear and Greed Index currently stands at 71, indicating that market sentiment is leaning more towards greed rather than fear.

Crypto Investors Are Greedy

Last week through Monday, the Crypto Fear and Greed Index stayed within the zone of apprehension before turning neutral. On October 11, it dipped as low as 32 when Bitcoin momentarily dropped below $60,000. For most of September, the index hovered between the fearful and neutral zones; however, it spiked into the greedy zone during a brief rally that pushed Bitcoin up to around $65,000 at the end of the month.

Over the last three days, Bitcoin (BTC) has moved beyond its $62,000 price bracket, reaching an all-time high of $68,000 before trading at $67,000 presently, according to CoinMarketCap data. This surge in value has sparked a sense of greed among traders, pushing them to cash in on Bitcoin’s growth and combat the fear of missing out (FOMO). The index peaked at 73 on October 16 when BTC touched $68,400 but has since dipped slightly to 71 due to Bitcoin’s recent minor adjustment.

The index is calculated by examining data from diverse resources such as social media, emerging trends, market dynamics, volatility, public opinion polls, and dominance. The scores are obtained from a scale ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates intense fear, 50 signifies neutrality, and 100 denotes extreme greed.

Significantly, investors often feel anxious as prices decrease, yet analysts argue that such downturns present excellent chances for investment. On the flip side, market players may exhibit greed when prices increase, leading to fear of missing out (FOMO) and ultimately causing price adjustments.

What Could Happen Next?

Previously, the Fear and Greed Index reached a similar level around late July, coinciding with Bitcoin’s surge from approximately $56,000 to $68,000. Yet, due to the Japanese yen crisis, it subsequently plummeted down to $53,000 in the ensuing days.

Although Bitcoin might face similar challenges in the near future, increased interest and the market’s expectation of a continuation of the bullish trend seem to make such an outcome unlikely.

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2024-10-17 17:46