13h05 ▪ 5 min read ▪ by Ariela R.
Summarize this article with:
The CoinMarketCap crypto sentiment index shows 56 out of 100 on October 13, 2026. It is in the neutral zone. The Alternative.me index reaches 57, but remains classified in the greed zone. This divergence occurs while US spot Bitcoin ETFs went from $241.1 million in net inflows to $678.9 million in net outflows within a week. Yet these flows are not included in the calculation of either index.
In brief
- The CoinMarketCap crypto sentiment index shows 56 out of 100 and returns to the neutral zone as of October 13, 2026.
- Alternative.me shows 57 out of 100 on the same day, in the greed zone, down from 69 the day before: a 12-point drop in 24 hours.
- US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $241.1M in net inflows from September 28 to October 2, then $678.9M in net outflows from October 5 to 9.
- Neither CoinMarketCap nor Alternative.me directly include Bitcoin ETF flows in the published components of their indices.
Bitcoin: Where does the crypto sentiment index stand in October 2026?
The CoinMarketCap crypto sentiment index is 56 out of 100 on October 13, 2026, compared to 57 for Alternative.me. CoinMarketCap classifies this level as neutral, whereas Alternative.me still places it in the greed zone.
The daily series from Alternative.me shows:
- 73 on October 6, 2026;
- 61 on October 11, 2026;
- 69 on October 12, 2026;
- 57 on October 13, 2026.
The drop between October 12 and 13 thus reaches 12 points.
A sentiment index measures the dominant mood of the crypto market based on several indicators. The closer the score is to 100, the more optimism or greed dominates. Conversely, fear is strong if it approaches 0. Alone, it does not allow predicting the bitcoin price direction.
What does a crypto sentiment index of 56 mean for bitcoin?
A score of 56 suggests a less euphoric crypto market. However, it does not constitute a buy, sell, or reversal signal for bitcoin. In reality, this index describes the market mood at a given moment. It gives neither a certain direction nor a price target.
The CoinMarketCap index combines five data families:
- the price momentum of the top ten cryptocurrencies excluding stablecoins;
- the implied volatility of bitcoin and Ethereum;
- the put/call ratio;
- the weight of bitcoin versus stablecoins;
- search and engagement data specific to CoinMarketCap.
Alternative.me follows a different logic. It remains more focused on bitcoin. Its index notably takes into account:
- volatility;
- momentum and volumes;
- social networks;
- bitcoin dominance;
- Google Trends.
| Criterion | CoinMarketCap | Alternative.me |
| Score on October 13 | 56/100 | 57/100 |
| Classification | Neutral | Greed |
| Scope | Top ten cryptos excluding stablecoins | Bitcoin |
| Data taken into account | Momentum, implied volatility, derivatives, market composition, engagement | Volatility, momentum, volumes, social networks, dominance, searches |
| Precaution | Does not alone predict the BTC price | Does not alone predict the BTC price |
Why doesn’t the crypto sentiment index reflect Bitcoin ETF flows?
US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $241.1 million in net inflows from September 28 to October 2, 2026. According to Farside Investors data, they show $678.9 million in net outflows from October 5 to 9. October 7 alone accounts for $484.9 million in net outflows. Including the session of October 12, the cumulative October net outflows reached $451.7 million.
The CoinMarketCap and Alternative.me indices do not allow for concluding whether the bitcoin price will rise or fall. They also do not directly provide information about the number or profile of investors. Hence the interest in separately analyzing the ETF flows, monetary policy, and other market variables.
To follow the evolution of crypto sentiment, the ideal is therefore to compare the two indices over time rather than isolate a daily score. This trend should then be confronted with Bitcoin ETF flows and other market data. The next macroeconomic event to watch closely is the FOMC meeting scheduled for October 27 and 28, 2026.
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Ariela R.
My name is Ariela, and I am 31 years old. I have been working in the field of web writing for 7 years now. I only discovered trading and cryptocurrency a few years ago, but it is a universe that greatly interests me. The topics covered on the platform allow me to learn more. A singer in my spare time, I also cultivate a great passion for music and reading (and animals!)
DISCLAIMER
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.