What Is FUD?

An acronym that stands for “Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.” It is a strategy to influence perception of certain cryptocurrencies or the cryptocurrency market in general by spreading negative, misleading or false information. *see FUDster.

FUD is sometimes a word used by the crypto community to describe the skepticism of cryptocurrency that is temporarily bearish for the inevitable crypto market. Many crypto enthusiasts will use the term to describe anything that opposes against bitcoin or crypto. They will sometimes dismiss those who are cynical of cryptocurrency as shills spreading FUD (FUDsters).  

FUDsters are the opposite of laser-eyed Bitcoin and crypto Twitter advocates. These perceived antagonists and alleged crypto naysayers include personalities like Warren Buffet, economist Paul Krugman, and occasionally Elon Musk (although he has had a love/hate relationship with crypto).

The FUD meaning encompasses all talking points from crypto nonbelievers. These topics include arguments from some traditional economists and politicians, including a selection of “greatest hits” such as:

• Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are valueless
• Cryptocurrencies enable crime and cyberattacks
• Cryptocurrency mining is harming the environment
• Governments will soon ban bitcoin and crypto
• Bitcoin is the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time

Crypto enthusiasts often dismiss these topics as debunked, inconsequential or downright propaganda from government entities. FUD is a murky term, but its meaning is generally descriptive of derogatory derailments surrounding the topic of cryptocurrency. The term is widely embraced on mediums like Reddit, Twitter and Discord that support the crypto community.