Institutional Bet on Post-Election Bitcoin Rally Sets Onchain Options Trading Record

As a seasoned crypto investor with over a decade of experience navigating market turbulence and geopolitical uncertainties, I find myself intrigued by this latest development in the crypto world. The $25 million election-linked Bitcoin options trade is undoubtedly a significant milestone for onchain options trading, as noted by Nick Forster of Derive.


As the US presidential election draws near, there’s a noticeable impact on the cryptocurrency market due to increasing political uncertainty. This week, Derive, a decentralized derivatives exchange, recorded an institution executing a massive $25 million options trade linked to the impending U.S. election, setting a new record.

This trade is notable not just for its magnitude but also for the intricate strategy used. The financial institution opted for a multi-part Bitcoin options maneuver, buying 100 call option contracts with a strike price of $70,000 while simultaneously selling twice as many, or 200, at $80,000. Additionally, they wrote 100 put contracts with a strike price of $50,000, all set to expire on November 29th. This carefully planned positioning seeks significant profit if Bitcoin were to reach around $80,000 by the end of November.

The trade was guaranteed using eBTC and Bitcoin that had been restaked through EtherFi as security. By taking this action, the institution not only safeguards its position but also gains passive income from the staked Bitcoin, resulting in a situation with two advantages. Nick Forster, co-founder of Derive, describes this $25 million options trade as a significant milestone for on-chain options trading.

Should Bitcoin reach $80,000 by the option’s maturity, the institution would secure an impressive profit of approximately $1.02 million purely from the options transaction, without considering any potential profits from the eBTC security.

Institutional Interest Grows amid Market Uncertainty

The rising popularity of Bitcoin derivative trades, particularly as we approach the U.S. election, is indicative of a larger trend within the cryptocurrency market. It appears that traders are becoming more strategic, making cautious wagers that imply confidence in a potential market surge following the election.

Currently, there’s a significant increase in institutional interest, as demonstrated by the substantial flow of funds into Bitcoin investment vehicles, notably following the introduction of spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) this year.

According to SoSoValue’s data, Bitcoin ETFs have collectively garnered approximately $21.34 billion since their debut in January. This past Wednesday alone, these funds received a net investment of $192 million, demonstrating the persisting faith among institutional investors in Bitcoin’s long-term growth prospects.

On Thursday, Bitcoin’s price exhibited short-term volatility. Earlier in the day, its value dropped to approximately $65,500. However, it swiftly recovered, trading around $67,000 as I write this, with a total market capitalization of about $1.33 trillion.

As Election Day on November 5 approaches, there’s growing interest in whether Bitcoin will surge, as some analysts foresee significant price fluctuations based on the election results. Last month, financial research firm Bernstein predicted a potential Bitcoin peak of $90,000 by year-end if Donald Trump emerges victorious.

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2024-10-24 16:19