Bitcoin and Ethereum Options Set to Expire
Over $6.51 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options are due to expire on Nov. 24, potentially indicating heightened trading activity. A significant number of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) options are nearing their expiration date, which could have an impact on market dynamics. This comes after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently charged Binance and imposed a $4.3 billion fine on the cryptocurrency exchange.
Bitcoin Options
About 108,000 BTC options are approaching their expiration date, with a Put Call Ratio of 0.83. The options favor call options (betting on price increase) slightly more than put options (betting on price decrease). The “max pain point” for these options is $33,000, where option holders would experience the most financial loss. The total notional value of these BTC options is $4.04 billion.
Ethereum Options
In parallel, approximately 1.2 million ETH options are also nearing expiration, with a Put Call Ratio of 0.71 that leans towards call options. The max pain point for these ETH options is set at $1,700, with a notional value of $2.47 billion.
The Concept of ‘Max Pain’
The concept of ‘max pain’ in options trading refers to the price level at which the total value of expiring options causes the maximum financial loss to option holders. Traders often use this concept to assess potential market movements as options near their expiration dates.
What Does It Mean?
When BTC or ETH options expire, it means that the contracts granting the right to buy or sell the cryptocurrencies at a predetermined price are reaching the end of their validity period. On the expiration date, these options must be exercised or become worthless. The impending expiration of these options could result in heightened trading activity and potentially unpredictable price movements in the market, especially given the recent legal actions against Binance.
Hot Take: Increased Trading Activity Expected as Bitcoin and Ethereum Options Expire
The expiration of over $6.51 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options on Nov. 24 is expected to lead to increased trading activity. Traders and investors are closely monitoring these developments, particularly in light of the recent charges against Binance by the U.S. DOJ. The expiration of these options could introduce volatility into the market and impact the price trajectory of Bitcoin and Ethereum in the coming days.