Bearish Clouds Gather as $2.13B in Bitcoin and Ethereum Options Expire

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-07-03Last updated on 2026-07-03

Abstract

The cryptocurrency market faced a key event on July 3 as $2.13 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options expired. Data revealed a defensive sentiment, especially for Ethereum, where a high put-call ratio of 1.29 indicated traders were hedging against further price drops. Bitcoin's put-call ratio was 0.70. Market positioning was concentrated near key levels of $60,000 for Bitcoin and $1,700 for Ethereum. While Bitcoin briefly reclaimed the $60,000 level, analysts remain uncertain if this signals a sustained recovery. Broader market trends, including traditional finance and tokenized stocks, are also influencing sentiment. The options data suggests traders are cautious and preparing for continued volatility rather than a major bullish move. At the time of reporting, Bitcoin traded near $61,932 and Ethereum around $1,738, both with significant liquidations over the preceding 24 hours.

The cryptocurrency market entered a pivotal session on July 3 as a combined $2.13 billion worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum options reached expiry, offering fresh insight into investor positioning amid a challenging market environment.

Around 31,000 Bitcoin options expired with a notional value of approximately $1.9 billion. The contracts carried a put-call ratio of 0.70 and a maximum pain point of $61,000. Meanwhile, 135,000 Ethereum options, valued at roughly $230 million, expired with a put-call ratio of 1.29 and a maximum pain level of $1,650.

Options Expiry Positioning Reflects Defensive Market Sentiment

One of the standout signals from this week’s data is Ethereum’s elevated put-call ratio of 1.29. A ratio above 1 indicates that put options outnumber call options, suggesting that many traders are either hedging against further downside or maintaining a cautious outlook.

At the same time, options expiry positioning remains concentrated near key Gamma Exposure (GEX) levels, with Bitcoin clustered around $60,000 and Ethereum near $1,700.

Although Bitcoin managed to reclaim the psychologically important $60,000 mark during the week, market sentiment remains mixed. Technical analysts continue to debate whether the recent recovery marks the beginning of a sustained rebound within a broader downtrend.

Macro Trends Continue to Shape the Market

Beyond options activity, investor attention has increasingly shifted toward traditional financial markets, particularly developments surrounding artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks.

Within the digital asset industry, tokenised U.S. stocks have also emerged as a major talking point, attracting interest from both crypto-native platforms and institutional participants.

Options expiry data suggest that traders remain cautious heading into the third quarter. While Bitcoin has regained an important support level, Ethereum’s defensive positioning and the concentration of hedging activity indicate that many market participants are still preparing for elevated volatility rather than pricing in a decisive bullish breakout.

Currently, BTC has managed to trade at a high of $61,932, with its daily trading volume lost over 24.43%, reaching $33.3 billion. Moreover, the Bitcoin market has seen a liquidation of over $94.84 million in the last 24 hours. Notably, ETH has jumped to a trading range at around $1,738. Also, the trading activity has fallen to $12.47 billion, with its liquidation of $171.46 million.

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