Bitcoin Options Worth $5 Billion Set to Expire, with 78% Out of the Money Amid Market Volatility

According to data from Deribit on February 26th, approximately $5 billion in Bitcoin (BTC) options contracts are scheduled to expire this Friday at 16:00 Beijing time, with a notable maximum pain point established at $98,000. This immense figure, representing a and significant segment of the cryptocurrency market, underscores the ongoing volatility faced by digital asset investors. Specifically, $3.9 billion, or 78% of the total notional value, is set to expire out of the money (OTM), indicating that a vast majority of these contracts will carry no intrinsic value. Notably, nearly all expired call options are **OTM**, a reflection of the bearish sentiment that has recently characterized the market. This development is particularly concerning for investors, many of whom are grappling with substantial unrealized losses due to the recent decline in Bitcoin prices.