$2B Bitcoin options set to shake crypto markets – Here's what you need to know

Crypto markets are closely watching the impact of the expiry of the $2 billion Bitcoin options, a significant event that occurs regularly. Traders and investors are assessing potential reactions and outcomes following such a substantial expiration. 

The expiration of options contracts, particularly in large volumes, can influence market sentiment, volatility, and price movements in the crypto space. Analyzing historical data, market dynamics, and investor behavior is essential to anticipate how the crypto markets might respond to this event.

Bitcoin bulls mull over $2B options expiry 

Considering the asset has reached $64,000 this week, will the significant expiration event cause Bitcoin to rise or fall?

On March 1, approximately 32,200 Bitcoin options contracts will expire. This week marks the second-largest expiration event of the month; another enormous one, valued at over $6 billion, is scheduled to take place by the end of March.

As of this writing, the current value of Bitcoin (BTC) is $62,002.81, reflecting a 1.2% increase since yesterday and a 0.7% increase from an hour ago. As of today, Bitcoin has gained 21.3% in value in comparison to its value seven days ago.

The present valuation of the worldwide cryptocurrency market is $2.42 trillion, reflecting a 24-hour change of 0.12% and a yearly change of 114.74%. BTC currently holds a market capitalization of $1.22 trillion, signifying a dominance of 50.32%. Stablecoins, meanwhile, have a market capitalization of $143 billion, or 5.9% of the total crypto market capitalization.

Furthermore, at 1.49, the put-to-call ratio indicates that dealers of short contracts (puts) outnumber longs (calls). This indicates that speculators in derivatives are anticipating a market correction. The maximum pain point, or the price at which the majority of losses occur at expiration, is $55,000.

At this time, the $60,000 strike price retains its immense significance, as it is accompanied by 15,329 calls and a notional value of $934 million. In addition, the put-to-call ratio is a mere 0.20, indicating that the number of bulls placing short orders at this strike price significantly surpasses that of bears.

Deribit also reports that there is considerable interest at the $65,000 strike price, where 14,137 calls with a theoretical value of $861 million are in circulation.

Crypto market performance

Additionally, Deribit disclosed that open interest surpassed $29 billion on February 29th, an all-time high. Open interest pertains to the aggregate quantity of unresolved open derivative contracts, including futures and options.

“Our 24-hour trading volume hit $12.4 billion this morning, the final all-time high,”  the statement continued.

On February 29, clients executed $620 million in options volume, according to Greeks Live, a provider of software for crypto derivatives. This is a record high for the platform.

A significant number of Bitcoin options are coming to an expiration today, alongside 235,000 Ethereum contracts. With a put/call ratio of 0.88 and a notional value of $793 million, these indicate that long and short sellers are more evenly matched.

Presently, the value of Ethereum (ETH) stands at $3,420.26, reflecting a 0.4% surge from one hour ago and a 0.5% surge since the previous day. As of today, ETH is 16.1% more valuable than it was seven days ago.

As of today, Solana (SOL) is valued at $131.43, representing a 0.4% surge from the previous hour and a 1.8% surge since yesterday. SOL is currently 29.6% more valuable than it was seven days ago.

As of today, Cardano (ADA) is valued at $0.6887, representing a 2.3% increase since yesterday and a 0.2% increase from an hour ago. As of today, ADA is 17.8% more valuable than it was seven days ago.

As of today, Dogecoin (DOGE) is valued at $0.1330, representing a 1.3% surge from the previous hour and a 4.5% surge since yesterday. The present value of DOGE is 56.3 percent greater than its value from seven days ago.