Today's Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) Options Expiry Could Cause Significant Price Movements

Today is a crucial day in the cryptocurrency market, as more than $14 billion worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum options are due to expire.

More than $14 billion worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum options are due to expire today, March 28. The huge batch of expiring derivatives may result in significant price changes and trading volumes.

Bitcoin price is currently hovering around the $85,000 mark, showing a decline of 3% from earlier this week. The aggregate expiring options today comprise 139,000 Bitcoin options, with a notional value of about $12.1 billion.

Another 301,000 Ethereum options, with a notional value of about $2.13 billion, are also expiring. The put-call ratios of these options stand at 0.49 for Bitcoin and 0.39 for Ethereum, indicating varying degrees of trader sentiment.

28 Mar Options Data 139,000 BTC options are expiring with a Put Call Ratio of 0.49, a Maxpain point of $85,000 and a notional value of $12.1 billion. 301,000 ETH options are expiring with a Put Call Ratio of 0.39, a Maxpain point of $2,400 and a notional value of $2.13 billion.… pic.twitter.com/1zcEz3VBss

— Greeks.live (@GreeksLive) March 28, 2025

Each quarter, options expirations such as today’s can cause substantial market movements. Market makers typically follow a strategy that has the effect of driving asset prices to what are referred to as max pain points. The max pain point for Bitcoin is $85,000, and that for Ethereum is $2,400. This approach may be the reason behind Bitcoin’s drop as traders respond to these technical points.

However, apart from the options expiration, other factors are also affecting the market dynamics. Media reports suggest that uncertainty over new tariffs by US President Donald Trump might be contributing to the downtrend in Bitcoin and the broader crypto space.

Therefore, the effect of today’s options expiration is being complicated by external market pressures.

Furthermore, Greeks.live notes that selling pressure is becoming more dominant in the cryptocurrency market. Several investors might find it difficult to maneuver the challenges anticipated in the second quarter of 2025.

Unless there are new catalysts that would push the prices higher, the market might have a bumpy ride ahead for the buyers to make a profit.

As the countdown to the expiration continues, investors and traders are following the developments closely. Today’s events can shape the market for the coming weeks.

With huge amounts of money at stake, the crypto community is bracing for volatility and significant shifts in the market.