The duality of the crypto market: How to survive in a bull market and a bear market

2025-12-31 11:46:46

If you have just entered the cryptocurrency world, you must have heard of the two terms “бичий” and “ведмежий”. These two concepts determine the overall market temperament and your trading strategy. But rather than memorizing definitions, it’s better to understand what they look like in reality.

How Market Sentiment Changes Everything

The crypto market is essentially an amplifier of emotions. When people are optimistic about the future, they buy frantically; when fear dominates, they rush to exit. These two extreme states are the core topics we will discuss—бичий ринок (bull market) and ведмежий ринок (bear market).

The Celebration of the Bull Market: What is a бичий ринок

A bull market is not just about rising prices. In this phase:

Newcomers flood in, eager to get a piece of the pie
News is all positive—good financing news, favorable policies, institutional entry
Exchange servers are almost overwhelmed because trading volume explodes
Your friends suddenly start talking about cryptocurrencies

For example, in 2020-2021, Bitcoin surged from $10,000 to nearly $70,000—that’s a typical бичий ринок. The entire market capitalization expands rapidly, and everyone feels they will miss out if they don’t jump in now.

The Silence of the Bear Market: What is a ведмежий ринок

A ведмежий ринок is the opposite of a бичий ринок—prices plummet, investors flee, and the market falls silent.

The characteristics of this phase are very clear:

People stop discussing cryptocurrencies or avoid mentioning them
Trading volume dries up, making quick transactions difficult
News is all negative—regulatory pressure, project failures, market crashes
Many investors panic-sell their holdings

In 2018, Bitcoin fell from $20,000 to $3,000, trapping many investors. This is the true face of a ведмежий ринок and the scene many newcomers fear the most.

The Positive Face-Off of the Two Markets

Aspect	Bull Market Features	Bear Market Features
Price Trend	Continuous rise	Continuous decline
Market Atmosphere	Optimistic, greedy	Pessimistic, fearful
Trading Activity	Massive volume	Shrinking volume
News Quality	Frequent positive news	Continuous negative news
Participant Attitude	Active accumulation	Rapid liquidation
Common Strategies	Hold steady, add to positions	Switch to stablecoins, reduce holdings

How to Make Money in These Two Phases

During the бичий ринок (bull market):

Simple Holding—buy and hold, letting time and the market do the work. Many people made big money this way in 2020.
Buy on Dips—use short-term corrections to increase your position and lower your average cost.
Follow the Trend—closely monitor technical signals, buy at support levels, and sell at resistance.

During the ведмежий ринок (bear market):

Profit from Short Selling—use short contracts to profit when prices fall. This is an opportunity for experienced traders.
Convert to Stablecoins—swap funds into USDT or other stablecoins to preserve capital and wait for opportunities.
Diversify Investments—don’t put all your eggs in one basket to reduce single-risk exposure.

How to Identify Turning Points

Markets don’t move in one direction forever. Recognizing the turning point is crucial:

Signals that a бичий ринок (bull market) is about to start:

Bottom rebound after a long decline
Positive news begins to surface, popularity gradually recovers
Large institutional investors quietly build positions

Signals that a ведмежий ринок (bear market) is about to start:

Prices oscillate at high levels, repeatedly hitting new highs and pulling back
Trading volume begins to shrink, market enthusiasm wanes
Regulatory or negative news frequently appears

Final Advice

The cycle of бичий ринок and ведмежий ринок is normal in markets, not an anomaly. Successful traders don’t predict the market—they adapt to it. Greed during the rise can lead to mistakes; panic during the fall can also cause errors—what matters is finding your own rhythm.

No matter which phase you’re in, remember three principles: diversify risk, make decisions calmly, think long-term. Only then can you survive longer in the tumultuous world of cryptocurrencies.

Your Key Questions

How long can these market phases last? A бичий ринок typically lasts 1-3 years, while a ведмежий ринок can range from a few months up to 2 years. There is no fixed rule; it depends on market conditions.

Can you really make money during a downturn? Absolutely. Short selling, dollar-cost averaging into stablecoins, and bottom-fishing are all profitable strategies during a bear market.

How to tell if the market has turned? Technical analysis, changes in trading volume, and market sentiment—combining these three can help you anticipate a reversal.

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