Crypto Options: Everything to Know

By  Beluga Research July 25, 2023

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Summary

  • Crypto options are financial derivatives that give the trader the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specific amount of cryptocurrency
  • Crypto options include "call" options and "put" options, either of which can be beneficial, depending on the market.
  • Crypto options can be used to hedge against price fluctuations or speculate on price movements with limited risk.
  • Crypto options offer leverage, which can amplify potential gains but also increase potential losses.

Overview

Crypto options are financial derivatives that give the trader the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specific amount of cryptocurrency. Options trading is a popular financial derivative that has been around for centuries. It is a contract between two parties, wherein the trader has the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price and time. Options trading is used to hedge against potential losses or to speculate on the price movements of the underlying asset.

Crypto options trading is a newer form of options trading that has emerged in the last decade. It is similar to traditional options trading, but instead of trading options contracts on stocks or commodities, traders trade options on cryptocurrencies. Crypto options trading has become increasingly popular in recent years as more people become interested in cryptocurrencies and the potential for high returns.

A Brief History

Crypto options trading has been around since 2017, when the first options exchange, Deribit, was launched. Deribit is a Dutch-based exchange that offers bitcoin options trading. Since then, other exchanges have emerged, including LedgerX, CME Group and Bakkt, which offer options trading on a variety of cryptocurrencies.

In the early days of crypto options trading, it was primarily used by institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. However, as the market for cryptocurrencies has grown, so has the demand for crypto options trading. Today, anyone with a basic understanding of options trading and cryptocurrencies can participate.

What Are Crypto Options?

Crypto options are agreements that provide traders with the choice, but not the requirement, to purchase or sell a particular quantity of cryptocurrency at a predetermined price and specified time. There are two types of options: call options and put options.

A call option is a contract that gives the trader the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a specific amount of cryptocurrency at a predetermined price and time. If the price of the cryptocurrency goes up, the trader can exercise the option and purchase the cryptocurrency at the predetermined price, which is lower than the market price. If the cryptocurrency's price goes down, the buyer can choose not to exercise the option and buy the cryptocurrency at market price.

A put option is a contract that gives the trader the right, but not the obligation, to sell a specific amount of cryptocurrency at a predetermined price and time. If the price of the cryptocurrency goes down, the trader can exercise the option and sell the cryptocurrency at the predetermined price, which is higher than the market price. If the price of the cryptocurrency goes up, the buyer can choose not to exercise the option and sell the cryptocurrency at the market price.

Crypto options trading allows traders to profit from the price movements of cryptocurrencies without actually buying or selling the underlying asset. Traders can use options to hedge against potential losses or to speculate on the price movements of cryptocurrencies.

Getting Started

To get started with crypto options trading, users must first choose a trading platform. There are several options available, including centralized and decentralized exchanges. Centralized exchanges are run by a company and require users to create an account and provide personal information. Decentralized exchanges, on the other hand, allow users to trade directly from their wallets, without the need for an intermediary.

Once a user has chosen a trading platform, they need to deposit funds into an account. Most trading platforms accept deposits in the form of cryptocurrency or fiat currency. After a user has deposited funds, they can start trading options contracts.

Options contracts are contractual arrangements between two parties, enabling them to buy or sell a specific asset at a predetermined price and time. There are two primary types of options contracts: Call options, providing the buyer the right, but not obligation, to purchase the asset at a fixed price and time and put options, granting the buyer the right, but not obligation, to sell the asset at a predetermined price and time.

Unique Aspects

Crypto options trading has several unique aspects that differentiate it from other forms of trading. One of the most significant differences is the ability to trade with leverage. This allows traders to increase their exposure to the market by borrowing funds from the trading platform. This can amplify profits but also increases the risk of losses.

Another unique aspect of crypto options trading is the ability to profit from both "bullish" (rising investment prices over an extended period) and "bearish" (falling investment prices over an extended period) market conditions. With options trading, however, traders can also profit from a falling market by buying put options.

Crypto options trading also has a high degree of flexibility. Traders can choose from a wide range of options contracts with different strike prices and expiration dates. This allows traders to tailor their trades to their specific market outlook and risk tolerance.

Advantages

  • Flexibility . Options trading allows investors to take positions on the market in a way that suits individual risk tolerance and investment objectives. Traders can use options to hedge against risk or to speculate on price movements.
  • Limited Risk . One of the main advantages of options trading is that investors have limited risk. When buying an options contract, the most an investor can lose is the premium paid for the contract. This makes options trading a popular choice for risk-averse investors.
  • Leverage . Options trading also allows investors to use leverage to amplify their returns. By using leverage, investors can increase their exposure to the market without having to invest a large amount of capital.
  • Diversification . Options trading allows investors to diversify a portfolio by adding exposure to different cryptocurrencies and different expiration dates.
  • Flexibility in Market Conditions . Options trading allows investors to profit in both bullish and bearish market conditions. Investors can buy call options to profit from a rising market or buy put options to profit from a falling market.

Disadvantages

  • Complexity . Options trading can be complex and difficult to understand for novice investors. Investors need to have a good understanding of the underlying asset and the options contract they are trading.
  • High Volatility . Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and options trading adds an additional layer of volatility to the investment. Options contracts can expire, worthless, if the price of the underlying asset does not move as expected.
  • Limited Liquidity . Options trading in the cryptocurrency market can be limited, which can make it difficult for investors to enter and exit positions quickly.
  • Counterparty Risk . When trading options, investors are exposed to counterparty risk. This is the risk that the other party in the trade will not fulfill their obligations. This risk can be mitigated by trading on a regulated exchange with a reputable counterparty.