In 2026, the
#crypto market remains in a high-pressure "risk-off" environment, with the Fear & Greed Index frequently hitting "Extreme Fear" levels, reaching historic lows as low as 5 to 8 in February 2026. Despite this, altcoins can and do "run" under specific conditions, often signaled by shifts in internal market dynamics rather than general sentiment.
Can Altcoins Run While Fear is High?
Altcoins can rally during periods of high fear, but these runs are typically characterized by capital rotation rather than new money entering the market.
Rotation from Bitcoin: When Bitcoin price stabil