Crypto
Fear &
Greed
Index
A single number that captures the emotional state of the entire crypto market — from panic selling to irrational exuberance. Used by traders worldwide as a contrarian signal.
Today, August 5, 2026, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index is 27 (Fear). The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is a daily score from 0 (Extreme Fear) to 100 (Extreme Greed) that measures the emotional state of the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency market. Created by Alternative.me, it combines six weighted signals — volatility, market momentum, social media sentiment, surveys, Bitcoin dominance, and Google Trends — into a single number updated every 24 hours. Readings below 25 indicate Extreme Fear (historically a contrarian buying signal); readings above 75 indicate Extreme Greed (historically a risk warning). The all-time low was approximately 8 (COVID crash, March 2020); the all-time high was approximately 95 (Bitcoin bull run, January 2021).
“Be fearful when others are greedy — greedy when others are fearful.”
Warren Buffett's contrarian principle applies directly to crypto. The Fear & Greed Index condenses six market signals into one actionable score. Historically, buying during Extreme Fear and reducing exposure during Extreme Greed has outperformed passive holding.
Market panic — potential contrarian buying opportunity.
Bearish sentiment dominates — investors are cautious.
Balanced market — no strong directional signal.
Bullish momentum — risk appetite rising.
Peak FOMO — historically a risk warning signal.
The most extreme Fear & Greed readings in history — and what happened to Bitcoin price in the months that followed. Extreme Fear has consistently marked or closely preceded major market bottoms.
| Date | Score | Zone | BTC Price | What Followed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2018 | 9 | Extreme Fear | $3,200 | ▲Bitcoin bottomed. Rose +1,900% to $69K ATH by Nov 2021. |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 8 | Extreme Fear | $4,000 | ▲COVID crash bottom. BTC rose +1,400% to $60K+ within 13 months. |
| Jan 2021 | 95 | Extreme Greed | $40,000 | ▼Preceded a ~50% correction to $28K within weeks. |
| Nov 10, 2021 | 84 | Extreme Greed | $68,000 | ▼Bitcoin ATH. The following bear market saw BTC fall ~75% to $16K. |
| Jun 2022 | 6 | Extreme Fear | $18,000 | ▲Post-Terra/LUNA crash. BTC eventually recovered to $69K+ by 2024. |
| Nov 2022 | 7 | Extreme Fear | $16,000 | ▲FTX collapse. BTC rose +330% to $69K+ by March 2024. |
| Mar 2024 | 90 | Extreme Greed | $73,000 | ▼New ATH. Preceded a correction to ~$50K before resuming upward. |
| Aug 2024 | 17 | Extreme Fear | $50,000 | ▲Yen carry trade unwind panic. BTC recovered sharply within weeks. |
Sources: Alternative.me, CoinGecko historical data. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Extreme Fear has been crypto's most reliable contrarian buy signal.
Across the five major Extreme Fear events since 2018, Bitcoin has been positive 90 days later in 4 out of 5 cases, with average returns of +68% over 90 days. The one exception (Jun 2022) was followed by a further leg down before the eventual recovery. This is a contrarian signal — not a guarantee.
| Extreme Fear Event | BTC at Signal | +30 Days | +60 Days | +90 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2018 (score 9) | $3,200 | +20% | +55% | +110% |
| Mar 2020 (score 8) | $4,000 | +84% | +100% | +90% |
| Jun 2022 (score 6) | $18,000 | +4% | -11% | +15% |
| Nov 2022 (score 7) | $16,000 | +16% | +40% | +65% |
| Aug 2024 (score 17) | $50,000 | +28% | +42% | +60% |
Returns measured from approximate date of Extreme Fear reading. Approximate figures based on CoinGecko historical data. Not financial advice.
Six signals.
One number.
The index is published daily by Alternative.me — the team that created and maintains it. CoinCoverage fetches and displays this data in real time, refreshing every 5 minutes.
View on Alternative.me ↗Two fear gauges. Very different animals.
The CBOE VIX is the stock market's fear gauge. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is crypto's. Both measure market anxiety — but they work completely differently and often diverge sharply.
- Measures implied volatility of S&P 500 options over the next 30 days
- Higher VIX = more fear (VIX 30+ = high anxiety; VIX 80+ = extreme panic)
- Single mathematically precise metric derived from options pricing
- Moves gradually — VIX spikes typically take days to develop
- Resets to low levels (10–15) during calm bull markets
- Published by CBOE, based on real derivatives market data
- Measures composite sentiment across six behavioural signals
- Lower score = more fear (0–24 = Extreme Fear; 76–100 = Extreme Greed)
- Composite index — includes social media, surveys, and Google Trends
- Moves fast — crypto sentiment can swing 40+ points in 24–48 hours
- Can remain in Extreme Fear or Extreme Greed for weeks at a time
- Published by Alternative.me, updated daily from aggregated signals
Key takeaway:VIX and the Crypto Fear & Greed Index often move together during macro panic events (COVID crash, banking crises), but diverge during crypto-specific events (exchange collapses, regulatory news, halving cycles). During the FTX collapse in November 2022, the Crypto F&G hit 7 (Extreme Fear) while the VIX remained relatively calm at ~25 — confirming the event was crypto-specific, not a systemic market crisis.
A contrarian tool — not a crystal ball.
Fear & Greed Index — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Crypto Fear & Greed Index?
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is a daily score from 0 to 100 that measures the emotional state of the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency market — 0 represents Extreme Fear (maximum panic) and 100 represents Extreme Greed (maximum euphoria). It was created by Alternative.me and aggregates six data signals: Bitcoin price volatility (25%), market momentum and volume (25%), social media sentiment (15%), public surveys (15%), Bitcoin dominance (10%), and Google Trends data (10%). Scores of 0–24 indicate Extreme Fear, 25–44 Fear, 45–55 Neutral, 56–75 Greed, and 76–100 Extreme Greed.
What is the all-time low of the Crypto Fear & Greed Index?
The all-time low of the Crypto Fear & Greed Index was approximately 8 (Extreme Fear), recorded during the COVID-19 market crash on March 12, 2020, when Bitcoin dropped from ~$8,000 to ~$4,000 in a single day. This reading of 8 represents near-maximum panic — just one step above the theoretical floor of 0. Historically, this March 2020 Extreme Fear reading preceded one of the strongest Bitcoin recoveries on record: BTC rose from ~$4,000 in March 2020 to over $60,000 by April 2021.
What is the all-time high of the Crypto Fear & Greed Index?
The all-time high of the Crypto Fear & Greed Index was approximately 95 (Extreme Greed), recorded during Bitcoin's bull run in January 2021 and again near Bitcoin's all-time high in November 2021. A score of 95 represents near-maximum market euphoria and FOMO. Both instances of extreme greed near 95 preceded significant price corrections: Bitcoin fell roughly 50% from the January 2021 peak and approximately 75% from the November 2021 ATH of ~$69,000.
How is the Fear & Greed Index calculated?
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is calculated by combining six weighted data sources into a single 0–100 score. Volatility accounts for 25% — measuring current Bitcoin price volatility against 30-day and 90-day averages. Market Momentum and Volume also accounts for 25% — comparing current trading volume to recent averages. Social Media sentiment (Twitter/Reddit) contributes 15%, as does a weekly survey component at 15%. Bitcoin Dominance adds 10% — rising BTC dominance signals fear as investors flee altcoins. Google Trends for crypto-related searches contributes the final 10%.
How do investors use the Fear & Greed Index?
Investors primarily use the Fear & Greed Index as a contrarian signal — buying during Extreme Fear and reducing exposure during Extreme Greed. Warren Buffett's principle — 'Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful' — applies directly. Historically, entering the market when the index is below 25 (Extreme Fear) and taking profits when it exceeds 75 (Extreme Greed) has been a profitable long-term strategy, though it is not guaranteed and should always be combined with fundamental and technical analysis.
What does Extreme Fear mean in crypto?
Extreme Fear (score 0–24) means the crypto market is in a state of panic — investors are selling aggressively, volatility is high, and sentiment is deeply negative. Historically, Extreme Fear readings below 20 have occurred during Bitcoin's most severe crashes: the 2018 bear market bottom (~$3,200 in December 2018), the COVID crash of March 2020 (~$4,000), the June 2022 crash following the Terra/LUNA collapse (~$18,000), and the FTX collapse in November 2022 (~$16,000). In each case, the Extreme Fear reading marked or closely preceded a major market bottom.
What does Extreme Greed mean for Bitcoin?
Extreme Greed (score 76–100) means the crypto market is in a state of euphoria — prices are rising rapidly, FOMO is widespread, and investors are overconfident about continued gains. Extreme Greed readings above 90 have historically occurred near Bitcoin price peaks: January 2021 (before a ~50% correction), November 2021 near the $69,000 ATH (before a 75% bear market), and March 2024 near the $73,000 peak (before a correction to ~$50,000). Extreme Greed does not guarantee an immediate top but significantly elevates risk.
How often is the Fear & Greed Index updated?
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is updated once per day by Alternative.me, typically in the early morning UTC. The score reflects the previous 24 hours of market data. CoinCoverage fetches the latest value every 5 minutes from the Alternative.me API, so you always see the most current daily reading. The 30-day chart shows the daily closing score for each of the past 30 days.
What is the source of the Fear & Greed Index data?
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index data is sourced exclusively from Alternative.me — the team that created and maintains the index. Alternative.me computes the daily score by aggregating six signals: Bitcoin price volatility, market volume momentum, social media sentiment analysis (Twitter/Reddit), public sentiment surveys, Bitcoin dominance, and Google Trends data for crypto-related searches. CoinCoverage fetches and displays this data via the Alternative.me public API in real time.
Is the Fear & Greed Index accurate?
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is a useful sentiment indicator but not a price prediction tool and cannot be used alone. Its value as a contrarian signal has strong historical backing — Extreme Fear readings below 20 have preceded major Bitcoin recoveries in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023, while Extreme Greed readings above 90 have often preceded corrections. However, markets can remain in Extreme Fear or Extreme Greed for extended periods, and the index does not account for fundamental changes in the market. Always combine it with on-chain data, technical analysis, and macroeconomic context.
How does the Crypto Fear & Greed Index differ from the VIX?
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index and the CBOE VIX measure sentiment in fundamentally different ways. The VIX measures implied volatility of S&P 500 options — it is a single, mathematically precise metric derived from options pricing that reflects how much volatility the market expects over the next 30 days. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is a composite of six behavioural signals (volatility, volume, social sentiment, surveys, BTC dominance, Google Trends) — it measures investor psychology rather than implied volatility. Key differences: the VIX spikes on fear (higher = more fear), while the Fear & Greed Index falls on fear (lower = more fear). Crypto sentiment also moves faster and to more extreme levels than equity sentiment — Extreme Fear in crypto can appear and reverse within days, whereas VIX spikes in equities tend to be more gradual.