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VanEck reveals Bitcoin’s defensive options market amid price decline

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The chart shows Bitcoin put premiums hitting a record high in January 2026 | Source: Glassnode

VanEck, a prominent investment firm, has observed a shift in the Bitcoin (BTC) options market, highlighting growing defensive positioning from investors. The recent surge in put option demand and the drop in call option premiums signal a cautious outlook for Bitcoin’s price. This trend reflects investor concerns about macroeconomic factors and market volatility.

Summary

  • Bitcoin’s put/call ratio hits 0.84, showing increased demand for downside protection.
  • Put premiums hit record highs, signaling growing caution in the market.
  • Despite price declines, Bitcoin shows signs of stabilization with reduced volatility and leverage.

In early 2026, the Bitcoin options market has shown signs of heightened caution. VanEck’s analysis reveals that the put/call open interest ratio has risen to 0.84, the highest level since June 2021, reflecting stronger demand for downside protection. 

Over the past 30 days, investors spent approximately $685 million on put options, signaling their concern for further price declines. Meanwhile, premiums on call options fell about 12%, to around $562 million, suggesting that bullish sentiment has waned.

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This shift in sentiment coincides with a 19% decline in Bitcoin’s price over the last month. Despite this drop, spot prices have stabilized, and the market has entered a phase of consolidation, with volatility decreasing from 80 to 50. The drop in futures funding rates, which fell from 4.1% to 2.7%, further suggests that leverage in the market has cooled.

The chart shows Bitcoin put premiums hitting a record high in January 2026 | Source: Glassnode
The chart shows Bitcoin put premiums hitting a record high in January 2026 | Source: Glassnode

VanEck’s report indicates that the demand for downside protection is at its highest level in recent cycles. The put premiums relative to spot volume have reached an all-time high, with put premiums three times higher than levels seen during the market stresses of mid-2022. This suggests that investors are willing to pay a premium to hedge against further price drops, signaling a defensive stance.

The options skew, where put options are more expensive than call options, reflects this growing concern. As of March 2026, the cost of protecting against price drops is significantly higher than the cost of betting on price increases, with implied volatility on puts averaging 66, which is 16 points higher than realized volatility. Historically, this type of skew has often been seen before Bitcoin’s price rebounds.

Industry trends and network activity

Despite the heightened caution in the options market, other indicators show that the Bitcoin market is stabilizing. On-chain activity, such as transaction volume and daily active addresses, has declined, reflecting a more subdued speculative environment. However, long-term holder selling seems to be slowing down, which could be a positive sign for the market’s stability.

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Bitcoin’s price recently surged to $70,000 before correcting, indicating potential signs of a cyclical bottom. VanEck’s CEO, Jan VanEck, has suggested that this may signal a recovery for Bitcoin, as the market adjusts to lower volatility and reduced leverage.

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Crypto World

Bitcoin, Ether Near Levels That Could Signal Trend Reversal: Investor

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Bitcoin, Ether Near Levels That Could Signal Trend Reversal: Investor

Bitcoin and Ether aren’t far from levels that could signal a trend reversal this year, despite a growing consensus across the industry calling for a bear market, according to macro analyst Jordi Visser.

“If we trade above $76,000 and at the same time we see Ethereum above $2,400, I believe that is the beginning of a move that will be sustainable this year because I don’t think we’re going to have a recession,” Visser said on the Anthony Pompliano podcast published on YouTube on Friday.

A move to $76,000 would represent an increase of 6.1% from Bitcoin’s (BTC) price of $71,646 at the time of publication, according to CoinMarketCap data. Ether’s (ETH) move to $2,400 would represent an increase of around 8%.

Inflation is going to remain high, says Visser

Traders on the prediction market Kalshi are leaning toward a similar macro outlook to Visser, pricing a 24% chance of a recession in 2026, down 10% over the past 30 days.

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“I think inflation is going to stay elevated, and I think people are going to need to find something that is making money in a world where the S&P is not moving anywhere,” Visser said.

Jordi Visser spoke to Anthony Pompliano on Friday. Source: Anthony Pompliano

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed in a report published on Friday that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in April rose 3.3% year-over-year.

Visser’s recent comments challenge the growing view across the crypto industry that 2026 still has more downside ahead, with some even calling for a move below the Feb. 6 yearly low of $60,000. 

Bitcoin may fall below $60,000 yearly low

On March 31, veteran trader Peter Brandt said that this may not be the lowest level for 2026, forecasting that Bitcoin could retest or even move “slightly lower” than the price level in September or October this year. 

“That would then be the bear cycle low,” Brandt said. 

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Related: Bitcoin charts point to $80K in April: Here’s how it may happen

Visser explained that he has never been a “big fan” of labeling Bitcoin price trends as bull or bear markets. 

“Especially when we’re at all-time highs. Like, at some point in there, it just seems like okay, they go up and then the normal course is at some point people don’t invest as much as they have,” he said.

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