Fear and Greed Index Shows Lingering Uncertainty
The Crypto Fear and Greed Index remains stuck in fear territory despite President Trump reaching a comprehensive trade agreement with China this week. According to Cointelegraph, the widely tracked sentiment indicator posted a score of 37 on Sunday. This represents only a modest increase from Saturday's reading of 33.
The White House announced the trade framework on Saturday following negotiations between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The agreement maintains the suspension of heightened reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports until November 10, 2026. Bitcoin trades at $110,354 while Ether sits at $3,895, reflecting gains of just 0.26% and 0.84% respectively over the past 24 hours.
Tariff Tensions Created Market Volatility Throughout 2025
The measured response from crypto markets comes after months of trade-related turbulence. BeInCrypto reports that Trump's October 10 threat of 100% tariffs triggered a dramatic market crash. The crypto sector lost over $200 billion in market capitalization within hours. Exchange liquidations totaled $19 billion during that 24-hour period.
The Fear and Greed Index dropped to an extreme low of 18 following the tariff announcement. Trade tensions have created persistent uncertainty for crypto investors since January 2025. Each tariff-related development has correlated with sharp price movements across digital assets.
Previous tariff suspensions demonstrated the market's sensitivity to trade policy. When Trump announced a 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs on April 9, the sentiment index surged from 18 to 39 within 24 hours. Market sentiment rapidly shifted from fear to neutral territory in August, showing how quickly conditions can change during periods of reduced uncertainty.
Limited Price Action Reflects Investor Caution
Crypto analysts offer conflicting views on the trade deal's impact. Michael van de Poppe, founder of MN Trading Capital, suggested Sunday would be remembered as a bottom. The analyst believes Bitcoin and altcoins remain in early stages of a bull cycle. Crypto traders Ash Crypto and 0xNobler posted bullish assessments on social media platforms.
However, actual price movements tell a different story. Bitcoin and Ether posted minimal gains despite the positive trade news. The muted response suggests investors remain cautious about celebrating prematurely. Markets appear to be waiting for concrete implementation of trade terms before committing significant capital.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent negotiated the framework during two days of talks in Malaysia. Both countries reached basic agreements on six specific trade areas. These include tariff policies, agricultural products, and export controls related to fentanyl cooperation.
Institutional Participation May Cushion Future Volatility
The current market environment differs from previous cycles due to increased institutional involvement. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds hold substantial assets under management. Professional investors apply systematic risk management rather than emotional decision-making.
This institutional infrastructure could provide stability during future trade-related announcements. Large asset managers view temporary corrections as buying opportunities rather than fundamental threats. The measured sentiment recovery suggests professional participants dominate current market dynamics.
The Fear and Greed Index has experienced substantial swings throughout 2025. Trade policy announcements repeatedly drove sentiment from extreme fear to neutral territory and back. The persistence of fear readings despite positive trade news indicates deep skepticism among market participants.
Global economic pressures continue affecting crypto markets beyond trade policy. Federal Reserve interest rate decisions and regulatory developments create additional uncertainty. The combination of factors keeps sentiment below neutral thresholds even when individual news items appear positive.
The crypto community now watches whether implementation of trade terms will finally push sentiment into positive territory. Extended stability in US-China relations could encourage renewed capital inflows. However, the market's tepid response to this weekend's announcement demonstrates that words alone no longer satisfy investors demanding concrete results.