The Crypto Fear and Greed Index is a daily sentiment score that ranges from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed), reflecting the overall emotional state of the cryptocurrency market.
The index, published by Alternative.me, combines several data sources into a single number. These include market volatility (comparing recent swings to 30-day and 90-day averages), trading volume and momentum, social media activity, Bitcoin dominance relative to altcoins, and Google Trends search data for crypto-related keywords.
Each factor is weighted and blended into one composite score. A reading below 25 is labeled "extreme fear," which historically correlates with buying opportunities because the market may be oversold. A reading above 75 is "extreme greed," suggesting prices may be stretched and a correction could follow. The middle range (around 45 to 55) is considered neutral.
It is important to note that the index is a lagging indicator. It describes current sentiment, not future price direction. Some traders use it as one input alongside technical analysis and on-chain data rather than as a standalone signal.
Emotions drive markets, especially in crypto. The Fear and Greed Index gives you a quick pulse check on whether the crowd is panicking or euphoric. Contrarian traders watch for extremes: buying when fear is high and trimming positions when greed dominates. Even if you do not trade on sentiment alone, knowing where the market's mood sits provides useful context for any decision.
The TerminalFeed dashboard has a dedicated Fear and Greed panel that updates daily via our API (/api/fear-greed). For a deeper dive into reading and interpreting the index, check out our Guide to the Crypto Fear and Greed Index.