NASDAQ today began listing options for BlackRock’s Bitcoin Spot ETF, a move that is expected to significantly impact the Bitcoin derivatives market and open the door for broader institutional participation, according to a new analysis by crypto research firm QCP Capital.
QCP Capital noted that this milestone has transformative potential, noting that derivatives markets for traditional assets typically grow to 10-20 times the market value of the underlying asset. With Bitcoin derivatives now more closely aligned with traditional financial instruments, institutional investors may increasingly focus on generating returns from long-term IBIT holdings.
This shift could lead to a squeeze in implied volatility as investors use these instruments to hedge their positions or increase their returns. QCP Capital noted an increase in institutional holders of MicroStrategy stock in Q3, including a 1,000% increase in shares held by Vanguard, paralleling the growing institutional use of MicroStrategy as a proxy for Bitcoin exposure.
The December $100,000 strike continues to hold the largest concentration of open interest in the options market, suggesting strong investor sentiment for further price gains. “This could provide the foundation BTC needs for a move higher,” the firm said in its analysis.
*This is not investment advice.