VanEck: Bitcoin options signal extreme fear as downside protection premium hits new all-time high, says VanEck

Despite stabilizing spot prices, investors remain defensive, with leveraged speculation cooling and realized volatility dropping from 80 to 50, suggesting a cautious market sentiment. What to know : Bitcoin traders are paying record prices for downside protection, with the put/call open interest ratio reaching 0.84, the highest level since June 2021, and put premiums reaching an all-time high relative to spot volume. Despite stabilizing spot prices, investors remain defensive, with leveraged speculation cooling and realized volatility dropping from 80 to 50, suggesting a cautious market sentiment. Historically, similar options skew readings have been followed by significant bitcoin price gains, with VanEck finding average gains of 13% over 90 days and 133% over 360 days in the past six years.