FUD Meaning

AUG 21, 2023 | UPDATED SEP 05, 2023

"FUD" is an acronym for "Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt." It denotes the deliberate circulation of inaccurate or deceptive information, intending to sow doubt and fear among crypto investors.

What is Fear, Uncertainty, & Doubt (FUD)?

FUD is a word you’ll hear in finance and especially in crypto. It’s when people share bad news about a crypto coin or project to scare off investors. This can be by sharing fake news, exaggerating, or twisting the truth. This can cause the price of a coin to drop quickly.

Sometimes, when the crypto market is down, people say it’s because of “FUD.” And those who always spread negative news about crypto? They’re called “FUDsters.”

How FUD Affects the Crypto Market?

The volatility of crypto means that prices can swing dramatically, keeping everyone on their toes. Misinformation or negative news, even if baseless, can prompt a hasty sell-off.

For instance, an online rumour about a coin or a platform’s security vulnerability, even if unfounded, can spook investors into selling, leading to a price plunge.

Beyond individual coins, FUD can also affect major crypto exchanges like FTX for example. If traders believe there’s a risk, they might withdraw funds or stop trading, affecting the exchange’s liquidity and reputation. Similarly, lending platforms like BlockFi or Celsius saw a drop in deposits and loan requests when users feared the platform’s instability due to circulating FUD.

Broad negative news, such as a potential crypto ban in a major country, can erode trust across the sector. Even if such news is taken out of context or isn’t entirely accurate, the resulting anxiety can ripple through the entire crypto market, from coins to platforms.

Examples

“That article about the coin’s vulnerability seems like pure FUD.”
“Don’t let FUD sway your investment decisions.”
“Every time there’s a price dip, there’s so much FUD in the community.”

DEGEN

Degen, short for "degenerate," refers to individuals taking high-risk actions, especially in crypto trading, without thorough research.

Airdrop

A crypto airdrop is a free distribution of tokens to wallet addresses, often promoting a new cryptocurrency.

WAGMI

WAGMI stands for "We're All Gonna Make It," a positive affirmation often used in crypto and online communities.