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Open Interest for Bitcoin Options Once Again Surpasses $2 Bln, Nearing New All-Time High

Thu, 08/20/2020 - 14:43
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Alex Dovbnya
Open interest for Bitcoin options is on the rise as the race for second place is heating up
Open Interest for Bitcoin Options Once Again Surpasses $2 Bln, Nearing New All-Time High
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Open interest (OI) in Bitcoin options, which indicates the total number of contracts across all exchanges, has once again crossed the $2 bln mark, according to derivatives data provider Skew.

It is now on track to surpass the all-time high that was recorded on July 30, meaning that more money is now flowing into this burgeoning market niche.

Options
Image by analytics.skew.com

Major developments in the options markets

Dutch trading platform Deribit remains an undisputed leader when it comes to Bitcoin options with a whopping 80 percent market share.

Bit.com, the derivatives exchange launched by Singapore-based Matrixport Technologies, rolled out Bitcoin options on Aug. 17.

The new entrant now occupies 2 percent of the total OI, coming close to edging out LedgerX (3 percent).

CME and OKEx are in second and third place, respectively. The former now accounts for a tenth of the burgeoning options market.

As usual, nothing but tumbleweeds can be seen in Bakkt’s corner as the OI and volume of the Intercontinental Exchange-owned exchange continues to flatline at literally zero.

Skew2
Image by analytics.skew.com

Related
CME Bitcoin Options Market Continues to See Rapid Growth: Data

Bitcoin's implied volatility waning

Unlike futures, optionsas the name suggestsallow market participants to bet on Bitcoin's future moves without having an obligation to actually execute the trade.

Bitcoin’s one-month implied volatility, which reflects the level of expected fluctuations, has dropped by 10 percent over the last four days (from 72 percent on Aug. 16 to 62 percent on Aug. 20).

implied volatility
Image by analytics.skew.com

After soaring to a new yearly high of $12,477, the Bitcoin rally hit a pause button. The top cryptocurrency is currently changing hands at $11,815 on the Bitstamp exchange after a slight recovery.

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About the author

Alex Dovbnya (aka AlexMorris) is a cryptocurrency expert, trader and journalist with extensive experience of covering everything related to the burgeoning industry — from price analysis to Blockchain disruption. Alex authored more than 1,000 stories for U.Today, CryptoComes and other fintech media outlets. He’s particularly interested in regulatory trends around the globe that are shaping the future of digital assets, can be contacted at alex.dovbnya@u.today.