NASDAQ:PHOE News 31 January 2026

January 31, 2026, 12:07 PM EST. Bitcoin's price fall below $84,200 has sparked the highest level of fear among traders in 2026, according to analytics firm Santiment. Negative social media commentary has surged, flipping sentiment from cautious to outright panic, marking the lowest sentiment since November 21. Santiment tracks the ratio of positive to negative posts, highlighting how emotion can drive crypto markets as traders rush to sell amid price drops and margin calls. While fear spikes don't guarantee a bounce, prolonged negative sentiment could persist if Bitcoin fails to reclaim critical levels like $90,000. This volatility aligns with pullbacks in equities, gold and silver, intensifying cross-market risk-off moves. Santiment suggests retail traders may capitulate first, but larger investors might buy the dip, possibly fueling future rallies.