Have cryptocurrency investors and traders tuned out? A review of social data from within crypto circles suggests that the primary focus during January has evolved significantly.

The first week of the month saw minimal discourse as traders returned from holidays, a time when crypto values increased despite the silence. In Week 2, the narrative changed as gold discussions erupted when the precious metal reached new all-time highs, pulling crypto up with it. By Week 3, interest in Bitcoin suddenly surged during a price retracement as retail buyers targeted dips, which coincided with a crypto plummet. Finally, Week 4 saw silver prices erupt to break new all-time highs as traders chased the momentum, while crypto markets have been ranging for the time being.

Digital asset traders are famously agile, often moving between different sub-sectors like memecoins, ai, and blue chips depending on the current hype cycle. However, retail investors are now proving they are willing to switch asset classes altogether. Social metrics highlight growing interest in gold, silver, and even equities, seemingly driven by wherever the latest price pumps occur.

Investors should note that market tops generally appear when crypto retail participants begin to succumb to FOMO. This was exemplified today when silver set records by soaring past $117.70, only to drop back below $102.70 just 2 hours later after the retail hype reached its peak. To trade successfully, it is often best to operate against the current direction of the crowd.