Bull Market Definition

A bull market is a stretch of time when prices trend upward and confidence is high. People expect gains to continue, so buying pressure builds and prices keep climbing. In traditional markets, many commentators use a 20 percent rise from a recent low as a simple rule of thumb, though the label is often used more loosely. Crypto markets follow the same idea but tend to move faster and swing wider. 

Core characteristics

Bull markets usually show steady price increases, demand that outpaces supply, upbeat sentiment, and heavier trading activity. You also see confidence spill over to social channels as more participants join the trend.

Common drivers

Optimism is the spark. In stocks, strong economic signals like solid GDP and low unemployment often lift expectations and support higher prices. In crypto, sentiment can shift on institutional interest or even a well-timed message from an influential voice, which draws new buyers into the move.

How a bull market unfolds

A typical path starts with a slow recovery as the prior downtrend fades. Momentum then picks up, attracting more participants. Near the peak, enthusiasm can run hot and activity becomes intense. Eventually, the market cools and a correction can follow. If prices fall about 20 percent from recent highs, many observers call that the start of a bear market.

Measuring and spotting trends

Some analysts lean on the 20 percent threshold to label broad turns. To track the trend day to day, traders often use tools like moving averages, MACD, RSI, and on-balance volume to gauge momentum and participation. These indicators do not define a bull market by themselves, but they help people monitor the strength of the move.

Crypto versus traditional markets

Because crypto markets are smaller and more volatile, big swings can happen in short windows, and moves are not always in step with traditional indexes. Strong single-day jumps are common in crypto bull runs, which makes them feel intense compared with long equity cycles.

Behavior and sentiment

Participants who expect prices to rise are called bulls, and they are described as bullish. During a bull market, fear of missing out can push more buyers into the trend, reinforcing the climb as demand stays ahead of supply.

Risks and limits

Rising prices can lead to overly confident decisions. As excitement peaks, the environment becomes vulnerable to pullbacks and later corrections. Bull phases do not last forever, so conditions can change quickly once momentum fades.

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