FUD stands for Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt. It is one of the most common terms in crypto slang, and it is not only about emotions but also about a whole strategy to influence the market.
The essence of FUD
FUD is the intentional or unintentional spreading of negative information that causes people to doubt the project, sell assets, or simply be afraid to enter a trade. Sometimes FUD can be true (for example, real bugs in the code or news about regulation), but more often it is rumors, exaggerations, or outright manipulations.
Who and why uses it
Competitors — to drive down the project's price before their own launch.
Major players (whales) — to create panic and buy the asset at a lower price.
Media — for clicks and hype, as scary headlines are read more often.
Ordinary traders — sometimes unknowingly retweeting or discussing unverified rumors.
Examples of FUD
"The government will ban Bitcoin" — a classic that appears every year.
"Developers sold all their tokens" — even if it concerns only a small part.
"The project has been hacked" — often without confirmation, but the price is already plummeting.
How to counter FUD
Always check the source of information.
Look at the facts, not the emotions.
Study the fundamentals of the project to understand what truly threatens it and what is just panic.
In summary: FUD is a tool for market pressure, and the best way to avoid falling for it is to keep a cool head and critically evaluate any news.