Safe Havens Outshine Crypto in 2025

Bitcoin

After months of volatility, Bitcoin’s momentum has slowed to the point where it now trails U.S. Treasuries in year-to-date performance.

Key Takeaways

Bitcoin’s 2025 performance has fallen behind U.S. Treasuries for the first time this year.
The CoinMarketCap Fear & Greed Index dropped to 20, signaling high market anxiety.
RSI and MACD indicators show oversold conditions, hinting at possible short-term relief.
Analysts say “max desperation” among retail traders could mark a near-bottom scenario.

According to Bloomberg’s Joe Weisenthal, the world’s largest cryptocurrency is up only 8% in 2025, while long-term Treasury bonds have outperformed it — an outcome that few in the crypto market anticipated.

For an asset known for its explosive rallies, Bitcoin’s underperformance against the world’s benchmark “risk-free” investment is both rare and symbolic. The reversal underscores how investor sentiment has deteriorated after what many expected to be a record-breaking year for digital assets.

Fear Dominates the Market

CoinMarketCap’s Fear & Greed Index plunged to 20 this week, marking its lowest level in months. The drop places the market deep in the “Fear” zone, reflecting broad uncertainty following Bitcoin’s fall below $100,000 earlier in the week.

Prominent market watchers such as Crypto Rover highlighted the decline, echoing Warren Buffett’s famous quote: “Be greedy when others are fearful.” The sentiment suggests that although panic dominates the market, some investors are starting to view the current correction as a potential accumulation opportunity.

Technical Indicators Flash Oversold

A closer look at Bitcoin’s daily chart reveals several signs of exhaustion among sellers. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits near 35.5, indicating oversold territory, while the MACD remains deeply negative — suggesting that selling pressure may be close to peaking.

Bitcoin briefly plunged to around $98,900 before stabilizing near $103,000. Despite the short-term rebound, the technical setup still points to fragile market structure, with any sustained recovery dependent on fresh demand returning to the market.

Analyst Reactions: “Max Desperation”

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan described the recent sell-off as the final stage of “max desperation” among retail traders. He believes that the latest pullback reflects emotional capitulation rather than the start of a prolonged bear market.

According to Hougan, institutional interest in Bitcoin remains intact. He noted that many professional investors continue to view the asset as an attractive long-term hedge despite recent volatility. “When retail investors are most fearful, that’s often when institutions begin quietly building positions,” he said.

Bitcoin vs. Treasuries: Why It Matters

The comparison between Bitcoin and U.S. Treasuries has become a key narrative this year. Treasuries are traditionally seen as the safest investment class, while Bitcoin is viewed as one of the riskiest. The fact that the latter is now lagging behind the former highlights how risk appetite has cooled sharply since midyear.

Even so, Bitcoin has spent much of 2025 outperforming bonds until its recent crash erased a large portion of its gains. The shift reinforces the idea that macroeconomic factors — such as interest rate expectations and liquidity tightening — continue to dictate Bitcoin’s direction more than internal crypto catalysts.

Outlook

With sentiment scraping multi-month lows, technicals stretched, and “fear” at extreme levels, the stage may be set for a short-term relief rally. Historically, similar fear readings have coincided with key reversal zones for Bitcoin.

Still, analysts caution that recovery may take time as the market digests recent losses and looks for renewed institutional inflows to restore confidence.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Author

Alexander Zdravkov is a person who always looks for the logic behind things. He has more than 3 years of experience in the crypto space, where he skillfully identifies new trends in the world of digital currencies. Whether providing in-depth analysis or daily reports on all topics, his deep understanding and enthusiasm for what he does make him a valuable member of the team.