## Crypto Investor Interest Hits Fresh Lows as Fear Persists Across Markets

The crypto market crash aftermath continues to weigh heavily on retail participation. Global Google search interest for "crypto" has settled near its lowest point in a year, with the metric reaching just 26 points on recent trading days—barely above the 12-month trough of 24. This represents a sharp divergence from the heights seen earlier in the cycle, signaling that average investors have largely checked out of the sector.

The timing is telling. Search volume cratered during April's major selloff triggered by sweeping policy announcements, but the real turning point came from October's catastrophic market event. That single day saw approximately $20 billion in leveraged positions liquidated, with some altcoins experiencing single-day losses exceeding 99%. Bitcoin itself swung from all-time highs above $126K down to $80K territory by November, and continues to oscillate in the $80K-$90K range months later. Current pricing near $95.42K reflects this consolidation phase.

## The Numbers Tell a Story of Market Disengagement

What's particularly striking is the US-specific trend. American search volume for "crypto" has now hit its own 12-month low at 26, mirroring global patterns. Retail observers note that conversations about cryptocurrency have essentially disappeared from everyday discourse. The Trump family memecoin saga—where related tokens collapsed over 90% from peak valuations—served as a visible reminder of the speculative excess that preceded the crash.

The Fear and Greed Index paints an even starker picture. This metric, which synthesizes market sentiment data, bottomed at 10 (indicating "extreme fear") in November following October's turmoil. Even as of late January, the indicator sits at 28—still firmly in "fear" territory. The oscillation between fear and extreme fear over the past three months shows that sentiment has recovered marginally but remains fragile and risk-averse.

## What Low Interest Means for the Broader Market

When search volume drops to 12-month lows alongside persistent fear signals, it reflects a complete withdrawal of retail capital and attention. The crypto market crash impact continues reshaping investor behavior: those who weren't liquidated are sitting tight, and new participants aren't entering the space. This combination of liquidated longs, dampened interest, and extended fear positioning could indicate either capitulation exhaustion or further downside risk, depending on where the next catalyst emerges.