Crypto Winter

What Is Crypto Winter?

Crypto winter is a common expression that refers to a poorly performing cryptocurrency market. The term is comparable to a bear market in the stock market. A crypto winter signifies negative sentiment and lower average asset values among a large swath of digital currencies.

Research shows that crypto winters have a major impact on investor mentality. Looking at the cryptocurrency price history, it's sometimes easy to spot a crypto winter because the downturn may come with a double-digit percentage drop in crypto values.

Understanding a Crypto Winter

There have been several crypto winters in the past. For example, from late 2017 to December 2020, crypto prices fell and hovered far off from prior peak prices. However, in December 2020, prices exploded to record highs in a significant crypto bull market.

There are no widely accepted, specific guidelines for how far cryptocurrency prices must fall to be considered a crypto winter. But market leaders and influencers tend to agree publicly when one has begun, as was the case in early 2022.

Due to the volatility of crypto markets, it's impossible to accurately predict future price changes. However, it's wise for crypto investors to be aware that crypto winters happen.

Concerns About Crypto Winters

Though the stock market has shown a pattern of ebbs and flows, cryptocurrency has a far shorter history of just over a decade. It is possible that any crypto winter could go on forever. In a worst-case scenario for investors, a long-term cryptocurrency winter could lead to lower and lower asset values as they approach zero.

Cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency exchanges operate under minimal financial regulations. Though several crypto companies have fallen in the crosshairs of regulators, the majority of them operate with little scrutiny. This sets the stage for fraud and scams that consumers should remain aware of, including the risk of losses when holding crypto over the long term.

How Is Crypto Winter Different From a Bear Market?

The term bear market commonly refers to a period when stocks are lower in value, often due to a mix of economic factors. Though a bear market and crypto winter can coincide, they are not necessarily correlated.

Stock prices are determined by market forces, and investors rely on fundamental and technical analysis strategies to determine target prices. With cryptocurrencies, valuation models are in their infancy. This can lead to a major disconnect between stocks and cryptocurrencies.

However, as the crypto winter that began in 2021 demonstrates, there's also a possibility that a down stock market can happen simultaneously with a down crypto market.