Here’s why holding $20.8K will be critical in this week’s $1B Bitcoin options expiry

Bitcoin (BTC) skilled a 16.5% correction between Aug. 15 and Aug. 19 because it examined the $20,800 help. Whereas the drop is startling, in actuality, a $4,050 value distinction is comparatively insignificant, particularly when one accounts for Bitcoin’s 72% annualized volatility.

At present, the S&P 500’s volatility stands at 31%, which is considerably decrease, but the index traded down 9.1% between June 8 and June 13. So, comparatively talking, the index of main U.S.-listed firms confronted a extra abrupt motion adjusted for the historic threat metric.

In the beginning of this week, crypto investors’ sentiment worsened after weaker circumstances in Chinese language actual property markets compelled the central financial institution to scale back its five-year mortgage prime price on Aug. 21. Furthermore, a Goldman Sachs funding financial institution strategist said that inflationary stress would drive the U.S. Federal Reserve to additional tighten the economic system, which negatively impacts the S&P 500.

Whatever the correlation between shares and Bitcoin, which is at present operating at 80/100, traders have a tendency to hunt shelter within the U.S. greenback and inflation-protected bonds once they concern a disaster or market crash. This motion is called a “flight to high quality” and tends so as to add promoting stress on all threat markets, together with cryptocurrencies.

Regardless of the bears’ greatest efforts, Bitcoin has not been capable of break under the $20,800 help. This motion explains why the $1 billion Bitcoin month-to-month choices expiry on Aug. 26 may benefit bulls regardless of the latest 16.5% loss in 5 days.

Most bullish bets are above $22,000

Bitcoin’s steep correction after failing to interrupt the $25,000 resistance on Aug. 15 stunned bulls as a result of solely 12% of the decision (purchase) choices for the month-to-month expiry have been positioned above $22,000. Thus, Bitcoin bears are higher positioned although they positioned fewer bets.

A broader view utilizing the 1.25 call-to-put ratio reveals extra bullish bets as a result of the decision (purchase) open curiosity stands at $560 million in opposition to the $450 million put (promote) choices. Nonetheless, as Bitcoin at present stands under $22,000, most bullish bets will doubtless develop into nugatory.

For example, if Bitcoin’s value stays under $22,000 at 8:00 am UTC on Aug. 26, solely $34 million value of those put (promote) choices will probably be obtainable. This distinction occurs as a result of there isn’t any use in the best to promote Bitcoin under $22,000 if it trades above that degree on expiry.

Bulls might safe a $160 million revenue

Under are the 4 most probably eventualities primarily based on the present value motion. The variety of choices contracts obtainable on Aug. 26 for name (bull) and put (bear) devices varies, relying on the expiry value. The imbalance favoring both sides constitutes the theoretical revenue:

• Between $20,000 and $21,000: 1,100 calls vs. 8,200 places. The web outcome favors bears by $140 million.
• Between $21,000 and $22,000: 1,600 calls vs. 6,350 places. The web outcome favors bears by $100 million.
• Between $22,000 and $24,000: 5,000 calls vs. 4,700 places. The web result’s balanced between bulls and bears.
• Between $24,000 and $25,000: 7,700 calls vs. 1,000 places. The web outcome favors bulls by $160 million.

This crude estimate considers the decision choices utilized in bullish bets and the put choices solely in neutral-to-bearish trades. Even so, this oversimplification disregards extra complicated funding methods.

Holding $20,800 is crucial, particularly after bulls have been liquidated in futures market

Bitcoin bulls must push the value above $22,000 on Aug. 26 to steadiness the scales and keep away from a possible $140 million loss. Nonetheless, Bitcoin bulls had $210 million value of leverage lengthy futures positions liquidated on Aug. 18, so they’re much less inclined to push the value increased within the quick time period.

With that stated, probably the most possible state of affairs for Aug. 26 is the $22,000-to-$24,000 vary offering a balanced end result between bulls and bears.

If bears present some power and BTC loses the crucial $20,800 help, the $140 million loss within the month-to-month expiry would be the least of their issues. As well as, the transfer would invalidate the earlier $20,800 low on July 26, successfully breaking a seven-week-long ascending pattern.

The views and opinions expressed listed here are solely these of the author and don’t essentially replicate the views of Cointelegraph. Each funding and buying and selling transfer includes threat. It is best to conduct your individual analysis when making a call.