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# Bitcoin Volatility about to Spike as 66k BTC Options Expire?
- URL: https://dexplain.com/bitcoin-volatility-about-to-spike-as-66k-btc-options-expire/
- Published: 2020-08-27T10:11:00.000Z
- Updated: 2021-12-01T10:11:56.000Z
- Description: Bitcoin traders nervous as over 66K BTC worth of options due to expire later today. Market volatility inbound?
- Author: wizardfromspace
- Tags: Bitcoin, Crypto Trading, Cryptocurrency

Today the Bitcoin options market is due for a massive expiry, worth over **66,000 Bitcoin**. According to data by [Skew](https://analytics.skew.com/dashboard/bitcoin-options?ref=dexplain.com), the bitcoin open interest is now over $2 billion which means it has grown sixfold since the start of 2020\. Many traders believe the rapid growth will eventually lead to an extreme price impact.

![](https://dexplain.com/content/images/2021/12/skew_btc_options_open_interest_by_expiry_k.webp)

## Over 66,000 BTC options due to expire

While the Bitcoin futures and options expiry is not as large as [June’s 114,700 BTC expiry](https://www.thecryptoassociate.com/colossal-1-billion-bitcoin-options-expiry-looms-as-bitcoin-falls/?ref=dexplain.com), you should still brace yourself for market volatility. Many crypto traders believe that the expiration on the last Friday of every month, puts negative pressure on the price of BTC.

**Zoom in:** Almost 60% of the calls are expected to expire worthlessly, meaning the call option’s strike price is higher than the market price. This should drastically reduce any [negative market pressure](https://dexplain.com/what-is-bitcoin-dominance/).

- Option settlements always have a specific time. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) occurs at 8:00 am UTC, while in Deribit and OKEx at 3:00 pm UTC.

**Zoom out:** Most crypto traders expect higher volatility entering the weekend due to lower trading volumes. Add in the end of the month expiry date, and you have a recipe for major price movement with an already nervous market. In short, this is not a weekend to forget your stop losses. You have been warned!