The pessimism gripping markets right now is hard to ignore. Early-year surveys paint a bleak picture—negativity has become the default mood across investors and traders. It's not just a passing phase either. This prolonged bearish sentiment makes you wonder: when does market psychology shift? Historically, the deepest pessimism often precedes the strongest recoveries. Yet knowing this intellectually and feeling it emotionally are two different things. Right now, most people are riding the wave of doubt, questioning whether crypto markets can ever bounce back to previous highs. The data tells us sentiment cycles are inevitable. What matters is recognizing where we sit in that cycle and whether the current gloom represents genuine risk or accumulated fear.