Definition
A bull run is a market phase in which cryptocurrency prices move upward for an extended period, often with frequent new highs. It reflects strong confidence and positive expectations among traders and investors, who generally believe prices will continue to climb. During a bull run, buying activity usually outweighs selling, and overall market sentiment tends to be optimistic.
In crypto trading, a bull run is considered a specific, intense part of a broader bull market, marked by especially rapid or noticeable price increases. It is commonly associated with rising trading volumes and growing attention from both existing participants and newcomers. While a bull run is defined by price action and sentiment, it does not guarantee that individual assets will all perform the same way.
Context and Usage
The term bull run is often used to describe periods when major cryptocurrencies and many smaller tokens appreciate together, reinforcing the idea of a strong, unified upswing. It contrasts with a bear market, where prices generally fall and confidence weakens. In conversation, market participants may say that a bull run is starting, continuing, or ending based on recent price trends and overall mood.
Bull runs are closely tied to market sentiment, which captures how hopeful or fearful participants feel about future prices. Strong optimism during a bull run can contribute to FOMO, as traders worry about missing potential gains and rush to participate. Although the label bull run is informal, it serves as a shared concept for describing powerful upward movements in the crypto market.