Why use Bitcoin Options?

The sharp fluctuations in Bitcoin prices are a double-edged sword; for some, it presents opportunities, while for others, it poses risks. The greatest appeal of options lies in the ability to control losses in a very clear manner while retaining the potential for unlimited upside profit. This is especially important for Web3 players, as news and sentiment in this market change rapidly, and static positions often lack flexibility.

For example, if you believe that BTC will surge wildly in the next week but are hesitant to open a high-leverage long position directly, you can choose to buy a Call Option. The maximum loss would be the premium, but if BTC really does rise sharply, the reward could multiply. This asymmetrical structure of small losses and large gains is the core value of Options.

Introduction to the Basic Logic of Bitcoin Options

Options contracts can generally be divided into two types: Call and Put. A Call gives the right to buy BTC at a specific price at a future point in time, while a Put gives the right to sell BTC at a specific price. The act of buying and selling these rights is the essence of options trading.

You can choose to buy a right (Long) or sell a right (Short), and by combining these four basic combinations (Long Call, Short Call, Long Put, Short Put), you can construct various trading strategies, each corresponding to different market judgments and risk preferences.

Common Bitcoin Options Strategies and Operational Instructions

1. Bullish Strategy: Long Call and Bull Spread

If you believe that Bitcoin will rise significantly in the near future but do not want to bear the risks of holding coins or facing liquidation, the most straightforward approach is to buy a Long Call. The advantage of this strategy is that the loss is limited to the premium paid, but as long as the price exceeds the strike price plus the cost of the premium, you will start making a profit.

A more advanced approach is the Bull Call Spread, which involves simultaneously buying an at-the-money call option and selling an out-of-the-money call option. This can reduce the overall cost, but it also limits the maximum profit.

2. Bearish Strategy: Long Put and Bear Spread

If you expect Bitcoin to decline, buying a Long Put is the most straightforward approach. This strategy does not require shorting the spot market or using leverage, allowing you to profit from a price drop. You can also reduce the premium expenditure through a Bear Put Spread by selling an out-of-the-money Put to hedge the costs.

This type of strategy is often used to hedge risks, for example, if you hold a large amount of BTC but are concerned about a price correction in the short term, you can buy Put options as a hedge.

3. Sideways Arbitrage Strategy: Covered Call and Iron Condor

If you believe that BTC will remain in a relatively narrow range and will not have significant breakthroughs or crashes in the near future, then you might consider a Covered Call. This is a strategy that combines holding the coin and selling call options, suitable for investors who are already long-term holders of BTC, to earn stable premiums during price consolidation.

A more advanced Iron Condor strategy involves simultaneously selling out-of-the-money Calls and Puts while buying even further out-of-the-money Calls and Puts, creating a range arbitrage framework. The core of this strategy is to earn premiums, but it requires the market price to fluctuate within the set upper and lower limits.

4. Bidirectional Volatility Strategy: Straddle and Strangle

Sometimes you may encounter a situation where you know that there will be significant events in the market (such as the announcement of the US CPI, ETF resolutions, etc.), but you cannot determine whether it will be bullish or bearish. In this case, it is suitable to consider the Straddle strategy, which involves simultaneously buying one Call and one Put option, with the same strike price and expiration date. As long as the BTC price moves significantly in either direction, it can generate potential returns.

If you want to reduce the premium expenditure, you can also consider the Strangle strategy, setting the strike prices of the Call and Put options in the out-of-the-money range, which costs less but requires greater volatility to be profitable.

How to choose the suitable Options strategy?

Choosing the appropriate strategy hinges on the judgment of market trends and one’s own risk tolerance. If you are strongly bullish, you might consider Long Call or Bull Call Spread; if you expect a short-term decline, then Long Put can be used as a speculative or hedging tool. If you do not have a clear view on the trend but believe that prices will not fluctuate dramatically, then strategies like Covered Call or Iron Condor would be more suitable.

When realizing that the market may experience significant fluctuations (such as major news events or the release of important economic indicators), but the direction is uncertain, Straddle or Strangle is a good choice for deploying volatility. These strategies are highly dependent on timing and changes in volatility, making them more advanced. However, if used correctly, the reward potential can be relatively large. The choice of strategy is never a standard answer; it is a comprehensive judgment based on market observation, capital management, and trading experience.

Summary

Bitcoin options are not just trading tools; they are part of an asset mindset. They allow for flexible capital deployment in different market scenarios, not merely guessing the direction. For many, the barrier to entry for options lies in understanding them; however, once understood, one will find that they offer a deeper sense of control and freedom. The Web3 market has never been a linear growth of one-way trends; rather, it resembles a game full of changes, with options serving as a toolbox that can find opportunities and provide protection in rising, falling, sideways, or even highly volatile markets.