Crypto Market Volatility Intensifies Following Bitcoin and Ethereum Options Expiry

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-01-30Last updated on 2026-01-30

Abstract

The crypto market experienced significant volatility surge, with total capitalization dropping 5.31% to $2.83 trillion, following the expiry of $8.5 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options. Bitcoin options accounted for $7.4 billion and Ethereum $1.2 billion of the expiries. The put/call ratios shifted dramatically post-expiry, with Bitcoin's moving from 0.46 to 1.24 and Ethereum's reaching 1.79, indicating strong bearish sentiment. Bitcoin fell 6.5% to $82,370 with $790M liquidations, while Ethereum dropped 6.5% to $2,735 with $420M liquidations. Additional selling pressure emerged from expectations of Kevin Warsh's potential Fed nomination due to his hawkish crypto stance.

As the broader crypto market tumbles today, down around 5.31% with the total market capitalization falling to $2.83 trillion, major cryptocurrencies are seeing sharper losses. The selling pressure has been further intensified by the expiry of billions of dollars’ worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum options contracts, which have added to market volatility.

As per the crypto derivatives exchange Deribit data, over $8.5 billion worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum options expired today. Where the Bitcoin options account for $7.4 billion in notional value, while Ethereum options account for $1.2 billion.

With that, Bitcoin’s put/call ratio was at 0.46, indicating a higher number of call options compared to puts. After that, currently, the 24-hour put/call ratio stands at 1.35, which indicates the downward sentiment after the wider market decline. Meanwhile, the max pain price stands at $90,000, suggesting that most options traders would face maximum losses, as per the data.

Crypto Market Faces Intensifying Pressure

While Ethereum is trading below its $3,000 max pain level, before the January 30 options expiry showed a put/call ratio at 0.70, but over the last 24 hours, Ethereum put volume has climbed higher than call volume, and the put/call ratio is 1.79 at the time of writing, which signals bearish sentiment.

Bitcoin is trading at $82,370, a decline of about 6.5% in the past 24 hours, and the total liquidations are standing at $790.27 million. Ethereum is trading at $2,735, down by 6.5% over the past 24 hours, and the total liquidations are $419.84 million, as per Coinglass data.

In addition, President Trump is expected to nominate Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve Chair, with Polymarket indicating more than 90% probability for Warsh. With that, the comments on his previous hawkish crypto policy might have further intensified the selling pressure in Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market.

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Related Questions

QWhat was the total notional value of Bitcoin and Ethereum options that expired, according to Deribit data?

AOver $8.5 billion worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum options expired, with Bitcoin options accounting for $7.4 billion and Ethereum options for $1.2 billion.

QWhat does the current 24-hour put/call ratio of 1.35 for Bitcoin indicate about market sentiment?

AA put/call ratio of 1.35 indicates a bearish, downward sentiment in the market, as it shows that put volume (bets on the price decreasing) is higher than call volume (bets on the price increasing).

QWhat is the 'max pain price' for Bitcoin and what does it signify for options holders?

AThe max pain price for Bitcoin is $90,000. This is the price at which the maximum number of options contracts would expire worthless, causing the most financial loss to options traders.

QHow did the total crypto market capitalization change and what was the approximate percentage drop?

AThe total crypto market capitalization fell to $2.83 trillion, representing a drop of approximately 5.31%.

QBesides the options expiry, what other event is mentioned as a potential factor intensifying the selling pressure?

AThe potential nomination of Kevin Warsh, who has a history of hawkish crypto policy comments, as Federal Reserve Chair by President Trump is mentioned as an event that may have intensified the selling pressure.

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