Market Wrap: Bitcoin Breaks $11,800; Ether Options Market Explodes

Bitcoin's price is clawing its way back after weekend losses while the ether options market suggests a bumpy road ahead.

AccessTimeIconAug 6, 2020 at 8:44 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 14, 2021 at 9:41 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Bitcoin continues its rebound this week after Sunday’s crash. Meanwhile, the ether options market suggests a roller coaster ride ahead for the world’s second largest cryptocurrency.

  • Bitcoin (BTC) trading around $11,868 as of 20:00 UTC (4 p.m. ET). Gaining 1.8% over the previous 24 hours.
  • Bitcoin’s 24-hour range: $11,528-$11,915
  • BTC above 10-day and 50-day moving averages, a bullish signal for market technicians.
Bitcoin trading on Coinbase since August 4.
Bitcoin trading on Coinbase since August 4.

It’s been a positive week for bitcoin so far. The world’s oldest cryptocurrency is continuing its rebound from a Sunday price crash, appreciating 12% on a bullish run that isn’t showing signs of slowing down.

“Bitcoin reached above $12,000 on Aug. 2, but its ascension was stopped short,” said Jean-Baptiste Pavageau, a partner at quantitative trading firm ExoAlpha. “However, the impact on bitcoin was short-lived, and a breakout above $12,500 on high volume would definitely put BTC on the way.”

Bitcoin trading on Coinbase the past week.
Bitcoin trading on Coinbase the past week.

For Pavageau, history may never repeat but it does often rhyme. “If one looks at how the price of bitcoin moved after the second halving in 2016, the path taken so far is highly similar: A sideways period of six to eight weeks post-halving, followed by a run-up and a correction before heading to all-time highs a few months later.”

Henrik Kueglberg, a Sweden-based over-the-counter bitcoin trader, says the grim realities of the global economy continue to make the case for investment in cryptocurrencies over the next few months as well. “Let’s get real. Stocks will fall and interest rates will be kept low. I expect another bitcoin all-time high in September and increasing prices all through Q4.”

Record ether options open interest

Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization (ETH), was down Thursday trading around $397 and slipping 0.45% in 24 hours as of 20:00 UTC (4:00 p.m. ET). 

The ether options market is on an absolute tear and seeing huge amounts of bets. Open interest is now approaching $400 million. Most of it is on Netherlands-based platform Deribit, which leads the way with $351 million, according to data from aggregator Skew. Options give owners to the right, though not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset.

“Open interest is now 2.5 times higher than it was just a few weeks ago, touching a new record,” noted Chris Thomas, head of digital assets for broker Swissquote.

Ether options since April 2019 when they were first offered.
Ether options since April 2019 when they were first offered.

“There’s almost zero real institutional volume through these exchanges,” said Thomas. He indicated those using ether options are high-net-worth individuals or small cryptocurrency funds preparing for increased ETH volatility. “The options market has now caught up with the underlying (ether) and is anticipating further moves in the near future as implied volatility is now greater than realized volatility,” he added.

When implied volatility is greater than realized volatility, it generally means that the market expects increased price fluctuations are ahead. 

Other markets

Digital assets on the CoinDesk 20 are mixed Thursday. Notable winners as of 20:00 UTC (4:00 p.m. ET): 

Notable losers as of 20:00 UTC (4:00 p.m. ET): 

Equities:

Commodities: 

  • Gold is up 1.2% and at $2,063 as of press time, with a new intraday high of $2,070.
  • Oil is down 0.45%. Price per barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude: $41.97.

Treasurys:

  • U.S. Treasury bonds all slipped Thursday. Yields, which move in the opposite direction as price, were down most on the 10-year, in the red 2.8%.
coindesk20_endofarticle_banner_1500x600

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.