A hype cycle describes how new ideas or assets move from early excitement to peak hype, then disappointment, and eventually either maturity or irrelevance.
Think of moments like GameStop or Beyond Meat at their peaks. Attention explodes, prices surge, expectations go wild. Then interest cools, and only projects with real value survive.
Hype cycles explain why prices can disconnect from fundamentals. During peak hype, demand is driven by excitement and market sentiment, not long-term value.
Understanding hype cycles helps investors avoid buying at the top and getting caught as exit liquidity when enthusiasm fades. It also helps spot opportunities after hype collapses and expectations reset.
Hype cycles usually show these stages:
- Early buzz and rising curiosity
- Rapid price gains fueled by attention
- Peak optimism and extreme narratives
- Sharp pullbacks as reality hits
- Either recovery with real adoption or long decline
They’re common in new technologies, meme stocks, and emerging crypto trends.
A common mistake is confusing hype with adoption. Attention doesn’t equal long-term demand.
Another error is chasing late-stage hype due to FOMO. Entering near the peak often means absorbing the downside when sentiment flips.
On Stoxcraft, hype cycles are discussed in market analysis, news coverage, and Academy content focused on behavior and trend dynamics.
They’re also referenced when explaining crowded trades, hot money flows, and why fast-moving trends often reverse just as quickly.