Bitfinex Launches Volatility Futures for Bitcoin and Ethereum

Bitfinex, a Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange, has expanded its product offerings to include volatility futures for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). These new products, Bitcoin Implied Volatility Index (BVIV) and Ethereum Implied Volatility Index (EVIV), are based on the Volmex Implied Volatility indexes and allow users to bet on the expected price performance of BTC and ETH over a 30-day period.

Bitfinex Expands Product Offerings with Volatility Futures for Bitcoin and Ethereum

Bitfinex, Seychelles, April 3, 2024 - Bitfinex, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has significantly expanded its product offerings by introducing volatility futures for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), enabling traders to speculate on the expected price fluctuations of these two dominant digital assets.

Perpetual Contracts for Volatility Trading

The newly launched perpetual contracts, known as the Bitcoin Implied Volatility Index (BVIV) and Ethereum Implied Volatility Index (EVIV), are groundbreaking financial instruments that allow traders to wager on the expected price volatility of BTC and ETH over a 30-day period. These contracts are based on the Volmex Implied Volatility indexes, which are derived from real-time options pricing data.

Wall Street's VIX Counterpart

Bitfinex describes the perpetual contracts as a counterpart to Wall Street's Volatility Index (VIX), which measures market fear based on options tied to the S&P 500 index. By offering volatility futures, Bitfinex provides traders with a sophisticated tool to gauge and speculate on market sentiment towards BTC and ETH.

Unparalleled Trading Flexibility

"These new products offer our customers a simple and flexible format to trade perpetual contracts on volatility indices," said Jag Kooner, Head of Derivatives at Bitfinex. Unlike traditional futures contracts with fixed expiration dates, perpetual futures eliminate the need for rolling, providing greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Expanding Asset Class Portfolio

The introduction of volatility futures adds another asset class to Bitfinex's already extensive offering of over 60 perpetual futures contracts, including cryptocurrencies, commodities, forex, and equities. This diversification enhances the exchange's appeal to a wide range of traders seeking exposure to different market segments.

Trading Accessibility

The BVIV and EVIV futures contracts are available for trading starting today, April 3, 2024, under the ticker symbols BVIVF0:USTFO for BTC and EVIVFO:USDTFO for ETH. They are denominated, margined, and settled in Tether's stablecoin USDT, providing traders with a stable and reliable trading environment.

Industry Innovation

Bitfinex's launch of BTC and ETH volatility futures follows a similar move by Deribit in introducing standard futures contracts linked to its Bitcoin Volatility Index (DVOL) a year ago. This trend underscores the growing significance of volatility trading in the cryptocurrency markets.

Conclusion

Bitfinex's expansion into volatility futures represents a significant milestone in the evolution of cryptocurrency trading. By providing traders with access to these sophisticated financial instruments, the exchange empowers them to capitalize on market volatility, hedge against risk, and diversify their portfolios. As the cryptocurrency industry continues to mature, Bitfinex remains at the forefront of innovation, offering cutting-edge products and services that cater to the evolving needs of its customers.