Bitcoin options are expiring in a huge batch today with 30500 contracts worth 1.9 billion vanishing into thin air. This week’s drop feels smaller than last but the markets still wobble without big spot shakes. Crypto dipped after a tiny gains streak with total value floating near 2.25 trillion and 70 billion slipping away since Monday. A US Iran peace deal failed to lift vibes while the new Fed chair Kevin Warsh kept rates steady as expected yet more hikes loom if inflation spikes.
Expiry Shadows Looming 🖤
The Bitcoin batch shows a put call ratio of 0.78 so call sellers edge out put ones slightly. Max pain sits at 65000 about 2000 above spot so plenty end up underwater. Open interest stays heaviest at the 80000 strike on Deribit with 1.6 billion while 60k holds 1.3 billion in shorts. Across exchanges total BTC options OI climbed to 36 billion per Coinglass.
Derivatives provider Greeks Live noted the 60000 level acts as a critical threshold.
1/ Midweek Crypto Derivatives Report
2026-06-18A week of grinding calm has gutted the front of the bitcoin:native vol surface. Seven-day ATM IV has fallen from roughly 46 to 36 while the back barely moved near 43; the curve that was inverted a week ago – a classic fear-front -… pic.twitter.com/IGSHaQFna1
— Laevitas (@laevitas1) June 18, 2026
A sustained breach here could flip hedging flows toward more downside speed. The 70000 to 82000 zone offers positive gamma that dampens volatility naturally while Laevitas observed a grinding calm has thinned front month vol surfaces.
Ethereum Joins the Dark Flow 🕸️
137600 Ethereum contracts expire too for 234 million notional with max pain at 1725 and even put call ratio. Total ETH options OI reaches 6 billion across platforms. Combined crypto expiry hits 2.1 billion a modest event overall.
Crypto trades red in Asian morning hours with total cap plunging 2.4 percent. Bitcoin slid from 64500 intraday high down to 62800 now and lows may get tested again soon. Ethereum drops 3 percent nearing 1700 at yearly lows. Heavier altcoin pain hits Hyperliquid Zcash Sui and Avalanche.
Just another echo from the void by iconofsin.eth 💖
