Bitcoin’s recent retreat under $92,000 has triggered a significant shift in crypto market sentiment, marking the most dramatic mood swing since October 2023.

The sharp decline comes amid various market pressures, from potential government Bitcoin sales to shifting monetary policy expectations.

Market Confidence Takes a Hit

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index, a key barometer of market sentiment, plunged 19 points in a single day, landing at 50 out of 100. This sudden drop pushed market sentiment into “Neutral” territory for the first time since Bitcoin traded at $63,000 in October, ending a three-month streak of optimistic readings.

Several factors are driving this market uncertainty. Reports that the U.S. Department of Justice may sell $6.5 billion worth of Bitcoin seized from Silk Road have sparked concerns among investors. Additionally, expectations of tighter Federal Reserve monetary policy in 2025, combined with rising Treasury yields and a strengthening dollar, have put pressure on crypto prices.

The shift in sentiment appears in trading patterns too, with U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recording their second-largest outflow of nearly $570 million on January 8. This marks a stark contrast to the optimism seen in late 2023, when the index reached 94 out of 100 following speculation about future U.S. Bitcoin reserves.

This market reaction demonstrates how quickly sentiment can shift in the crypto space, even as Bitcoin maintains levels that would have seemed astronomical just months ago. Meanwhile, Bitcoin was trading at $95,082.19 at the time of writing with a 24-hour trading volume of $61,867,811,655. This represents a 1.81% price increase in the last 24 hours and a -1.67% price decline in the past 7 days.