As the calendar inches closer to the end of December, all eyes are on the cryptocurrency’s Options market, where a staggering $11.8 billion in contracts are set to expire.  The expiry’s outcome could significantly impact Bitcoin’s trajectory, shaping its future into the next year. The question on everyone’s mind: will 2025 be bullish or bearish for Bitcoin?

Source: CryptoQuant

Bitcoin Nears $90K Amid Market Optimism

By mid-November, Bitcoin’s market dominance exceeded 60%, with its value nearing $90,000, according to Brave New Coin’s Bitcoin Liquid Index. This represents a sharp climb from earlier in the year when prices traded significantly lower. Analysts credit this surge to a flood of capital after the U.S. elections, which reignited faith in cryptocurrencies. Additionally, Bitcoin’s Open Interest—measuring active options contracts—has soared to an unprecedented $50 billion.

Source: Brave New Coin’s Bitcoin Liquid Index 

Reaching a $100,000 huge milestone, however, Michael Saylor, co-founder of MicroStrategy, projected Bitcoin’s price could achieve this target by year-end. Bitcoin’s notorious volatility looms large, and the upcoming expiration of $11.8 billion in call and put orders by December 27 could heavily influence whether its upward momentum continues or a steep correction occurs.

Options contracts let investors decide whether to buy or sell Bitcoin at a fixed price, offering flexibility without obligation. Expiration dates of contracts often trigger notable price changes, especially when many are in-the-money at settlement. Market activity highlights the pivotal role of specific platforms.

Deribit leads the Bitcoin Options market, holding 74% of the total share, while CME and Binance trail with roughly 10.3% each. Deribit’s dominance makes it a key driver of sentiment that influences Bitcoin’s price trends. Data from Coinglass reveals nearly 70% of open orders are called, indicating widespread optimism about price increases. Many investors aim for Bitcoin to surpass $100,000, with some expecting even more significant gains soon.

Options Expiry Impact: Bullish or Bearish?

As the $11.8 billion worth of call-and-put options head towards expiration, the question remains whether Bitcoin will continue its bullish run or face a reversal. The majority of the expiring options are call options, which represent bets on Bitcoin’s price rising. Suppose Bitcoin reaches $100,000 before the contracts expire. In that case, these options will likely be exercised, potentially leading to a significant influx of Bitcoin being sold or exchanged, which could drive the price down.

However, this scenario isn’t as simple as it seems. The broader economic and geopolitical factors, including inflation rates, the Fed’s rate cuts, regulatory developments, and global economic trends, could influence investor behavior and, by extension, Bitcoin’s price. In fact, some analysts predict that even if Bitcoin hits $100,000, the expiry of such a large volume of options could trigger a temporary correction as traders take profits or hedge their positions.

Looking ahead to 2025, the expiry of these contracts may represent a crossroads for Bitcoin. While the bullish sentiment is strong at the moment, a correction following the expiration could set the stage for a more cautious outlook in the coming year. The crypto market remains unpredictable, and despite Bitcoin’s dominance, other factors—such as regulatory crackdowns, potential competition from Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and broader market shifts—could exert downward pressure on the price.