Spot bitcoin ETF options may begin trading as early as Tuesday, potentially opening the door to greater institutional participation in the crypto market, according to Nasdaq officials.
“We’re prepared to launch trading for these options tomorrow,” said Alison Hennessy, head of ETP listings at Nasdaq, during an interview with Bloomberg TV. “Investor demand has been strong, and we believe this will be a pivotal moment for expanding market access.”
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), listed on Nasdaq, is poised to be the first spot bitcoin ETF with options available. Options on other spot bitcoin ETFs listed on NYSE and Cboe Global Markets could follow shortly, according to ETF analysts.
Options allow investors to buy or sell an underlying asset, such as a spot bitcoin ETF, at a predetermined price before a set expiration date. These instruments are often used for speculative bets or as a hedge against other positions, making them attractive to institutional players.
Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyffart said that options for spot bitcoin ETFs across various platforms could roll out within days. “It’s just a matter of finalizing some procedural steps. This could start as early as tomorrow or later this week,” he noted.
The addition of options trading is anticipated to deepen market liquidity and bolster the appeal of bitcoin ETFs among institutions. Market watchers are keen to see how the introduction of these tools will influence trading volumes and price volatility in the broader crypto market.
