-640x358.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Crypto market sentiment stayed in the “extreme fear” zone for a 14th straight day, according to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index.
The index fell three points to a reading of 20 out of 100 on December 26.
This marks one of the longest continuous periods of extreme fear since the index launched in February 2018.
Current sentiment levels are lower than those recorded during the collapse of FTX in November 2022.
The contrast is notable as Bitcoin is trading at roughly five times its price from that period.
Market sentiment has trended downward since early October.
Renewed fears around US-China tariffs erased nearly $500 billion from the crypto market on October 10.
Additional pressure has come from concerns about US Federal Reserve monetary policy.
Investors fear the Fed could pause interest rate cuts in the first quarter of 2026.
Jeff Mei warned Bitcoin could fall to $70,000 if rates remain unchanged.
Bitcoin could fall to $70,000 should the Fed keep rates steady.
Jeff Mei said.
Bitcoin was trading near $88,650 at the time of reporting.
That level is nearly 30% below its October 6 all-time high of $126,080.
Despite price declines, sentiment remains weaker than during previous crisis periods.
The index measures volatility, volume, social sentiment, trends and Bitcoin dominance.
Crypto-related search interest has also declined sharply.
Analytics firm Alphractal said online engagement resembles bear market conditions.
Crypto social volume has returned to levels typically seen during bear markets.
Alphractal said.
Retail investors appear discouraged, disengaged, and largely absent from the crypto market.
It added.
Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan attributed weakness to crypto-native retail investors.
Crypto native retail is depressed.
Matt Hougan said, citing FTX and memecoin losses.
He added many investors were hurt during the October liquidation event.
Hougan said traditional finance retail participation remains resilient.
Traditional retail is still alive.
Hougan said, pointing to ETF demand.
US-listed Bitcoin ETFs have attracted more than $25 billion in inflows in 2025.
These inflows came despite Bitcoin posting a year-to-date loss.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $89,158.65.