Bitcoin Options Expiry Coming: Will Crypto Market Move This Christmas?

Pooja Khardia
December 24, 2024
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CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
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Highlights

  • Deribit exchange's biggest Bitcoin options expiry can hit the crypto market massively, as $14B worth of BTC would expire on Dec. 27.
  • As a result, Bitcoin price could drop to $84k or even lower, with the options buyers facing massive losses.
  • However, analysts believe in increased buying pressure and faster recovery, especially for altcoins.

Bitcoin price went through a complete shift in its performance in the last few days. More importantly, it stayed in an entire week downtrend for the first time since Trump’s win in the US election. However, amid the recovery and the crypto market witnessing the Christmas Santa rally, the investors are enthusiastic, but at the same time, the upcoming Bitcoin options expiry is concerning.

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How Would $14B Bitcoin Options Expiry Affect BTC Price?

Bitcoin price is attempting to overcome its recent dip, which pushed the value to $92K, despite hitting the ATH at $108.2k just three days before that. At present, Bitcoin is trading at $93.9k after bearing a 13% drop over the week. However, this might face another volatility pressure, with one of the biggest Bitcoin options expiring events on December 27, 2024.

According to the Deribit reports, around $14B worth of Bitcoin options expire on the exchange, which is 44% of the total BTC options OI and the largest expiry in the exchange’s history. Additionally, 50% of Ethereum options will expire, worth $3.77 billion. Such high expiration could cause crypto market volatility and heavy price swings.

The max pain price for the Bitcoin options expiry is $84,000, which means that most contract options will expire worthless, leading to a massive loss for the options buyers. More importantly, this indicates a significant drop from the current levels as the BTC price will move towards $84k. Even further fluctuations could require traders to be extra careful for the next few days, as few analysts are concerned about a temporary drop to $70k.

Bitcoin options expiry impacting crypto market

However, this volatility often subsides, with the rising buying pressure, as the whale attempts to buy the dip, eventually helping with recovery.  Overall, this will introduce significant fluctuation in the crypto market.

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Crypto Market Volatility To Take Over Christmas Santa Rally

Although the Bitcoin options expiry-induced volatility will last short, many other factors will bring further fluctuations. Based on a few analysts’ predictions, the volatility will be lesser during Christmas but could increase past that, impacting the Christmas Santa rally. As Arthur Hayes’s price prediction says, Bitcoin price would crash during Donald Trump’s inauguration. Eventually, this could lead to increased crypto market volatility.

However, this is nothing compared to the  Kobeissi Letter reports, which hint at a possible BTC price drop to $20k on the basis of Bitcoin’s tendency to follow the trends of global money supply. The analysts have found a correlation between Bitcoin charts and the global monetary supply but with a 10-week lag. This correlation gets further clear, with the Bitcoin price hitting ATH weeks after the global money supply peaked in October at $108.5. Based on that, BTC might drop to $20K as GMS dropped to months low of $104.4 trillion.

Bitcoin price vs Global M2

Meanwhile, altcoins will boom in the current Bitcoin options expiry and further January consolidation, supporting the crypto market recovery. Although altcoins will face a significant downtrend, the recovery will be quick, as the BTC price drop will push investors to altcoins, fueling the altcoin season.

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How To Tackle The Upcoming Bitcoin Volatility?

The crypto market is packed with cryptos that offer heavy returns. In 2024, Bitcoin surpassed the rest after hitting the $108.2k mark, but the status is under threat as the Bitcoin options expiry will challenge its position. With $14B BTC expiring this December 27, the investors will witness significant fluctuations, impacting their trades. However, analysts believes this expiry generated volatility would recover soon, leaving the space for further growth. However, more concerns are awaiting, especially with Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, as Arthur Hayes and others predict a 20-25% Bitcoin price correction.

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Pooja Khardia is a seasoned crypto content writer with 6+ years of experience in writing, including in blockchain, cryptocurrency, DeFi, and digital finance reporting. In her adventure journey, she is currently working with CoinGape Media and leading their Trending Section. Here, she uses her expertise to deliver analytics, market insights, price predictions, and information on what’s trending in the crypto space, aiming to keep the crypto and web3 community updated with market trends and important insights. Known for a user-centric and straightforward writing style, Pooja is passionate about making crypto easy and accessible. Her writing blends market research with storytelling, helping readers stay ahead in a fast-paced industry. When not behind the keyboard, Pooja embraces her creative side through drawing and crafting. Connect with Pooja on LinkedIn or X.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.