Bull vs bear market: what the terms mean and how people spot them
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
A bull market is a long stretch when prices are mostly rising and buyers are confident. A bear market is a long stretch when prices are mostly falling and sellers are in charge. The terms are used for shares, crypto and other assets.
The usual rule of thumb
- For shares, a fall of 20% or more from a recent high is widely called a bear market.
- A rise of 20% or more from a recent low is often called the start of a bull market.
- Crypto moves much further and faster, so a 20% swing can happen in days without anyone calling a new market.
Why the names
The usual explanation is how each animal attacks: a bull thrusts its horns upward, while a bear swipes its paws downward.
Nobody can call the turn
Bull and bear markets are usually only clear in hindsight. Prices can bounce inside a bear market or dip inside a bull market, and trying to time the exact turn is very hard, which is one reason some people spread their buying over time.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay platforms let your customers buy, sell and hold crypto under your own brand, with a trading fee you set. Assets are held with regulated partners. This guide is general information, not advice.
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This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.