The cryptocurrency market's fear and greed index is at 23 today, indicating that extreme fear has persisted for two consecutive weeks.
Market sentiment remained low for much of December, while industry experts offered conflicting views on Bitcoin 's trajectory in 2026, ranging from bullish expectations to sharp downside scenarios.
- Fear & Greed Index: 23; extremely fearful for two consecutive weeks.
- Market sentiment remained low for most of December.
- Bitcoin forecast for 2026 is mixed: it could rise or fall to $60,000–$65,000.
Cryptocurrency market sentiment: prolonged extreme fear.
Alternative data shows today's fear and greed index is 23, reflecting the cryptocurrency market being in a state of extreme fear for two consecutive weeks.
A score of 23 implies generally weak demand and cautious investor sentiment. The overall picture in December was one of prevailing sentiment hovering near lows, indicating that risk aversion remained the dominant factor.
Maintaining a state of extreme fear for several consecutive days is often accompanied by sensitive fluctuations in response to news, making medium-term expectations easily divergent among different analytical groups.
Bitcoin 2026 Forecast: Optimistic vs. Pessimistic
Industry analysts have differing views on Bitcoin's performance in 2026, ranging from scenarios of entering a bull cycle to the risk of a decline to $60,000–$65,000.
PlanC argues that Bitcoin has never experienced two consecutive years of decline, therefore next year could be a bull market. Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer of Bitwise, is also optimistic about the upward trend next year.
Conversely, veteran trader Peter Brandt and Jurrien Timmer, Head of Global Macro Research at Fidelity, believe 2026 could be a bleak year for Bitcoin, with the possibility of a price drop to the $60,000–$65,000 range.
