The Crypto Fear and Greed Index fell to a reading of 5 on Feb. 12, its lowest recorded level, reflecting a market sentiment environment that has deteriorated sharply over the past several months.
The index is a composite sentiment gauge that aggregates signals across volatility, market momentum, social media activity, dominance, and search trends, distilling them into a single score between 0 (extreme fear) and 100 (extreme greed).
The prolonged slide into fear territory traces back in large part to the events of Oct. 10, 2025, widely referred to as “10/10.” The events of the day triggered the largest liquidation event in crypto’s history, with over $19 billion in leveraged positions forcibly closed within 24 hours across more than 1.6 million accounts.
Bitcoin fell roughly 14% that day, while altcoins saw far more severe drawdowns. The cascade exposed structural vulnerabilities in crypto derivatives markets, thin liquidity, excessive cross-margined leverage, and exchange infrastructure that buckled under the load, and sentiment has not meaningfully recovered since.
The current reading is particularly notable for its divergence from ongoing institutional developments.
BlackRock, Citadel, and other major traditional finance players continue to deepen their engagement with DeFi and tokenization, and broader real-world asset adoption projects continue to make measurable progress. Retail sentiment and institutional conviction are clearly operating on different time horizons at the moment, a dynamic worth monitoring as markets search for a floor.
This is an excerpt from The Block’s Data & Insights newsletter. Dig into the numbers making up the industry’s most thought-provoking trends.
© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Stay ahead of the market by turning news insights into trading opportunities. With Coinhub Exchange, you can seamlessly buy, sell, and manage your digital assets, all in one secure platform. Take advantage of real-time market insights, deep liquidity, and fast execution for your favorite cryptocurrencies. Don’t just read about it — trade crypto now!
Disclaimer
The content of this article shown by Coinhub News, powered by The Block, is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Coinhub News and its affiliates are not a licensed financial advisor, legal advisor, broker, or tax advisor, and ... should not be considered as professional advice or a recommendation to engage in any specific investment, legal decision, or financial transaction. Cryptocurrency markets are highly speculative and volatile. Readers should perform their own independent research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial or legal decisions. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Company of its affiliates. Additionally, the Company does not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, timeliness, reliability, or completeness of any information in this article. By accessing this content, you acknowledge that any reliance on the information contained in this article is solely at your own risk. The Company is not responsible for any financial losses, legal disputes, or other damages that may arise from reliance on this content or from any investment or legal decisions based on the information provided. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves substantial risks, including the risk of losing your entire investment, and you should carefully consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances.
Read more
