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Fear and greed index hits record low of 5 today

Fear and Greed Index Hits Record Low | BTC Surges Over $60K Amid Panic

By

Fatima El-Sayed

Feb 12, 2026, 07:27 AM

Edited By

Anna Wexler

Updated

Feb 12, 2026, 02:38 PM

2 minutes estimated to read

A graphic showing the Fear and Greed Index dropping to its lowest level, indicating widespread fear among investors.

The fear and greed index has dropped to a startling 5, alarming many in the crypto community. Despite Bitcoin (BTC) recently trading above $60,000, discussions are brewing around the low score. Some are questioning its validity even as BTC's price climbs.

Current Sentiment Analysis

There's a growing sentiment among people that the fear and greed index might not reflect true market dynamics. One commenter pointed out, "None of the indicators seem to have worked out this cycle, so ignoring this one as well." Another echoed this sentiment, stating, "It has never stayed below 10 for more than a few days." Meanwhile, some insist that ignoring the index could lead to missed buying chances.

Contrasting Views Emerge

The discourse reveals three main themes from the forum:

  1. Skepticism About Indicators: Comments show doubts regarding the reliability of the index, with multiple users expressing disbelief that it remains significant.

  2. Buying Opportunities: Contrarily, several people argue that the low score presents a buying opportunity. A specific comment voiced, "Over 50% below the top is a generational buying opportunity."

  3. Concerns Over Further Declines: Users ponder the potential of the index dropping even lower if BTC suffers a downturn, asking how much lower a 20% drop could push it. This uncertainty looms over traders, with one stating, "Just wondering if there’s still room left on this index for another leg down like that."

"The fear and greed index is basically a lagging indicator; by the time it says extreme fear, the bottom is already in," summarized one contributor, reinforcing doubts about the index's timing.

Market Movements Ahead

Speculation continues on how this divergence between the index and BTC's price will play out. Experts anticipate around a 60% likelihood for BTC to see volatility in the coming weeks, with a possible resistance at $70,000. If this low index sustains, many might interpret it as a signal to buy amid the panic. Conversely, escalating skepticism could lead to prolonged uncertainty among traders as they reevaluate their strategies.

Key Insights

  • πŸ”₯ Many view the fear sentiment as a potential buying opportunity.

  • βš–οΈ User skepticism about the fear and greed index grows, indicating a loss of trust in its predictive power.

  • πŸ“‰ Concerns linger regarding market manipulation and the actual impact of social media on sentiment versus true market conditions.

  • 🧐 "Curiously, the longest streak below 10 was just 7 days in June 2022,” one user mentioned, highlighting the rarity of sustained fear levels.

As the debate rages on within the community, the mixed sentiments underscore the ongoing struggle to gauge market health accurately. With BTC rallying while the index plunges, will traders seize this anomaly or lay low amid uncertainty? Only time will tell.