The Fear and Greed Index, which reflects the emotional state of cryptocurrency market participants, rose from 48 to 61 points on January 15, 2026. This is the highest level since the sharp market decline in October of last year.
This is reported by Finway
Sharp Jump in the Index and Its Dynamics
In the last 24 hours, the Fear and Greed Index increased by 13 points, reaching a mark of 61. This level indicates a predominance of greed among traders and investors. Over the past week, the index has risen by 33 points, which is a significant increase for this indicator.
It is worth noting that the previous peak of the index was recorded on October 10, 2025, when the cryptocurrency market experienced a massive “flash crash” — a rapid decline in prices and mass liquidation of positions.
“Analysts from the Alternative platform indicate that high values of the index reflect greed among investors, which often precedes a market correction. In contrast, extreme fear can create buying opportunities.”
Comparison with Previous Periods
Just a month ago, the Fear and Greed Index was only 11 points, reflecting a state of extreme uncertainty and fear in the market. In comparison, during the establishment of the historical peak price of Bitcoin — around $126,000 on October 6, 2025 — the index reached 71 points. Currently, Bitcoin is trading at around $97,000.
The change in the index dynamics over the year indicates significant volatility in market sentiment. Experts warn that the current predominance of greed may precede a new phase of price correction, and periods of extreme fear often signal advantageous buying opportunities.
It is also worth mentioning the opinion of Benjamin Cowen, founder of the analytical service Into The Cryptoverse, who considers it unlikely that a scenario of sharp growth in the crypto market, as seen in 2020–2021, will repeat itself.