Over $2.5 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options expire today, sparking fears of market volatility as traders watch for price movements.
Over $2.5 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options will expire today, which could lead to increased volatility in the crypto market. Traders are closely watching how this event might impact prices over the weekend, especially after recent US economic data influenced market sentiment.
Thousands of Bitcoin and Ethereum contracts are set to expire on Valentine’s Day, with Bitcoin options reaching a significant notional value. Data from Deribit shows that Bitcoin's put-to-call ratio remains below 1, meaning more traders are betting on price increases rather than declines. Ethereum contracts also hold a large notional value, with a similar put-to-call ratio.
As the expiration approaches, Bitcoin’s "max pain" price—the level where the most options will become worthless—is significantly below the highly anticipated psychological mark. Similarly, Ethereum’s max pain price suggests traders are positioning themselves accordingly. While this week’s expiry event is smaller than last week’s, when billions of dollars in options expired, the market remains sensitive to external economic influences.
Options expirations often bring price fluctuations, and while traders remain cautiously optimistic, the market has shown low volatility recently. Analysts note that despite positive news, Bitcoin and Ethereum prices have struggled to gain momentum. Market sentiment has been consolidating, with implied volatility hitting its lowest point in nearly a year.
Experts suggest that institutions view February as a slow period for trading, leading to reduced market activity. As options contracts settle after expiration, there could be a push towards the max pain price level before price movements stabilize. The large volume of expiring contracts may still drive temporary market swings, making today’s developments crucial for traders watching price trends.
All content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consult a professional before investing.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks

Cardano Price Forecast: ADA set for 20% rally as bullish bets increase
Cardano (ADA) price extends its rally on Monday after gaining more than 13% last week. On-chain metrics suggest a bullish picture as ADA’s long-to-short ratio reached the highest level in over a month.

Top 3 Price Prediction Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple: BTC, ETH hold steady while XRP gains momentum
Bitcoin (BTC) has been consolidating between $94,000 and $100,000 for almost two weeks. Ethereum (ETH) price follows in BTC’s footsteps and hovers around $2,680, while Ripple (XRP) shows strength and extends its gains on Monday after rallying 14% last week.

Bitcoin (BTC) vs Gold (XAU): Asset Tokenization expert weighs impact of US Inflation on 2025 price trends
Bitcoin price consolidated at $97,000 on Feb 15, down 6% within the monthly time frame, reeling under bearish headwinds from US tariff wars and rising inflation.

Dogecoin (DOGE) Price mirrors XRP rally as SEC acknowledges Grayscale ETF Filings
Dogecoin price surged 3% on Friday, extending its weekly timeframe gains to 17% as ETF speculation gains traction.

Bitcoin: BTC consolidates before a big move
Bitcoin price has been consolidating between $94,000 and $100,000 for the last ten days. US Bitcoin spot ETF data recorded a total net outflow of $650.80 million until Thursday.

The Best Brokers of the Year
SPONSORED Explore top-quality choices worldwide and locally. Compare key features like spreads, leverage, and platforms. Find the right broker for your needs, whether trading CFDs, Forex pairs like EUR/USD, or commodities like Gold.