Crypto fear deepens as Bitcoin and Ethereum extend pullback

Crypto market sentiment has slipped deeper into fear territory as Bitcoin and Ethereum extend their recent pullback, reinforcing a cautious risk-off tone across the market.

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index fell to 28, firmly within the “fear” zone. While this marks a deterioration in sentiment compared with earlier in January, price action across major assets suggests controlled selling rather than disorderly capitulation.

Fear returns as sentiment weakens

According to CoinMarketCap data, the Fear and Greed Index is now well below neutral levels. The current reading of 28 follows 34 last week and 29 a month ago, highlighting a steady erosion in confidence as prices trend lower.

Source: CoinMarketCap

Historically, similar sentiment levels have coincided with periods of market consolidation or late-stage sell-offs, rather than abrupt trend reversals. The absence of extreme fear suggests traders remain cautious but not panicked.

Bitcoin slides below $83,000 as momentum fades

Bitcoin continued its downward move on Friday, trading around $82,700 after briefly dipping toward $81,000. The daily decline of roughly 2% extends a broader pullback from January highs near the $95,000–$100,000 range.

Technical indicators point to weakening momentum but not full capitulation. Bitcoin’s daily RSI sits near 31, placing it close to oversold territory. 

Source: TradingView

While selling pressure remains visible, volume has increased in a measured way, indicating distribution rather than forced liquidation.

Key levels to watch include immediate support around $80,000, with a deeper downside risk toward the mid-$70,000 region if sentiment continues to deteriorate.

On the upside, any recovery attempt faces resistance near $90,000, where prior support has now turned into a supply zone.

Ethereum mirrors Bitcoin’s weakness

Ethereum has tracked Bitcoin’s decline, falling to approximately $2,720, down over 3% on the day. The asset has now retraced a significant portion of its fourth-quarter rally, with lower highs forming since early January.

Ethereum’s RSI near 34 reflects conditions similar to Bitcoin’s: bearish momentum remains intact, but the market has not entered deeply oversold territory. Trading volume has risen alongside the decline, suggesting active repositioning rather than capitulation selling.

Source: TradingView

From a structural perspective, Ethereum must hold above the $2,600–$2,700 region to avoid accelerating losses. Failure to stabilize could expose downside toward $2,400, while any rebound is likely to encounter resistance near $3,000.

Risk-off, not panic

Despite weakening sentiment, broader market signals remain mixed. There has been no sharp spike in volatility or liquidation-driven selling, and price action continues to respect key technical levels.

This suggests traders are reducing exposure cautiously rather than exiting aggressively.

Macro uncertainty and recent market-wide drawdowns have reinforced a defensive stance. Still, the current setup aligns more closely with consolidation under pressure than with a breakdown phase.

Final Thoughts

• Fear has returned to crypto markets, but price action in Bitcoin and Ethereum points to controlled selling rather than panic-driven exits.
• With momentum weakening and RSI levels nearing oversold territory, the next move is likely to be driven by whether key support zones can hold under sustained pressure.