A brand new survey from CEX.IO of 1,100 lively U.S. crypto customers reveals how the present bear market — with bitcoin sitting roughly 40% beneath its October 2025 peak — is quietly urgent towards family funds in ways in which not often present up in a value chart.
Greater than 1 in 3 merchants minimize spending
Thirty-six p.c of respondents stated they decreased non-crypto spending since October 2025, with 10% describing actual sacrifices made particularly to maintain their positions intact.
Past day-to-day cuts, 37% stated they delayed or cancelled a purchase order due to their crypto portfolio, and for 21% of all respondents that meant doubtlessly main bills like a house, a automobile, or a renovation.
For context, a Redfin/Ipsos survey from October 2025 discovered that 17% of People delayed a serious buy because of the federal authorities shutdown — a macro occasion that dominated headlines for weeks.
The bear market produced a comparable or bigger impact on uncovered customers, but most are navigating it alone:
Solely 5% have somebody who is aware of precisely how a lot crypto they maintain and what it’s at the moment price, whereas 18% maintain it completely personal.
Cashflow stress and portfolio focus
Whereas 77% say they didn’t tackle further debt, 38% reported some type of monetary disruption since October 2025.
1 / 4 dipped into financial savings or an emergency fund, whereas 12% missed or delayed a invoice cost due to crypto.
Portfolio focus helps clarify the stress:
49% of respondents stated greater than 30% of their complete investable property are in crypto.
The CEX.IO report famous:
“The 2025–2026 bear market has not produced the form of systemic shock seen in previous cycles, however its results look like exhibiting up in quieter methods on the family degree.”
Regrets and the exit plan drawback
Regardless of the pressure, sentiment stays broadly optimistic.
Fifty-one p.c plan to carry their positions no matter short-term value motion, whereas 28% plan so as to add extra if costs keep flat or fall additional.
Forty-four p.c say they invested about the correct quantity in October 2025, and 24% want they’d invested extra — not much less.
When requested what single determination they’d change during the last 18 months, 41% stated they’d have set clearer guidelines for when to take earnings and caught to them.
The report noticed:
“Most respondents don’t consider they made a positioning mistake however somewhat an execution mistake. They consider they have been in the suitable place however didn’t have a plan for the exit.”
Holding by way of the drawdown
Seventy-three p.c stated the bear market has not modified how they pursue revenue in any respect, with solely 9% taking up further work as a direct response to portfolio efficiency.
The report concluded:
“Stress has been absorbed, not deserted — most respondents say they’re holding or including to positions, whereas many view previous errors much less as being overinvested and extra as failing to handle exits correctly.”