Bear market

A bear market is a period when crypto prices are generally falling and market sentiment tends to be weak. It usually describes more than one bad trading day; it refers to a broader phase where sellers have more control and investor confidence is depressed. In crypto, bear markets can affect Bitcoin, altcoins, trading volume, funding activity, and interest from new users sitting on the sidelines. While there is no established metric to define a bear market, many consider a decline of 20% or more from recent highs as a rough benchmark. 

If Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many smaller crypto assets fall for several months while trading activity and sentiment weaken, investors may describe the period as a bear market.