Bitcoin Options Expiry Puts $3.4B Pressure on Markets

Bitcoin Options Market Dynamics

Approximately $3.4 billion in Bitcoin options contracts expired on Deribit and other platforms on December 5, placing pressure on market prices around the projected max pain point of $91,000.

This expiry event highlighted the BTC market’s sensitivity, with significant focus on future positioning amid relatively stable overall market conditions and little systemic disruption.

Around $3.4B in Bitcoin options expired on Friday, December 5, impacting market conditions. The expiration involved approximately 36,900 contracts primarily on Deribit. Traders closely monitored the max pain level near $91,000 BTC, influencing market behavior.

Key players include Deribit and other venues facilitating these options. The expiry is significant for institutional desks and retail traders. The max pain level of $91,000 BTC exerted a gravitational pull, shaping the market response and positioning.

The expiry applied downward pressure on Bitcoin prices, causing them to flirt around the $91,000 max pain level. Market analysis highlighted this impact as primarily due to options proximity, although spot markets showed stability post-expiry.

This event suggests that large institutional players remain active, preferring longer-term options. The market’s balanced put/call ratio (~0.91) indicates cautious behavior rather than extreme volatility following this expiry.

Historical precedents show that larger expiries can cause more dramatic market movements. This expiry is a third of the previous November 28 event, suggesting a milder systemic impact given the significant institutional presence and market trends.

Future financial and regulatory shifts may favor institutional players with longer-dated options. Market trends show an inclination toward strategic positioning beyond 2023, highlighting expectations for macroeconomic changes in 2025–26. Focus remains on regulatory acknowledgments.

“The Bitcoin (BTC) market faced downward pressure due to the expiration of approximately $3.4 billion in options contracts on Friday, December 5, 2025.” — Binance Research/Market Commentary, Source