Options Expiry

Definition ∞ Options expiry is the date and time at which an options contract ceases to exist and loses all its value. At expiry, the contract is either exercised by the holder if it is “in-the-money” or becomes worthless if it is “out-of-the-money.” This event can lead to significant shifts in market activity as traders adjust their positions and as underlying assets may experience price movements related to the settlement of these contracts. The occurrence of options expiry is a predictable event that traders often factor into their strategies. It marks a definitive conclusion for the contractual obligations.
Context ∞ The current focus regarding options expiry in the crypto market centers on the large volume of contracts that expire monthly and quarterly, potentially influencing underlying asset prices. Analysts are closely observing the behavior of options markets around these expiry dates to anticipate volatility and potential price action. A key discussion point is the impact of these expiries on the spot markets for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Future market dynamics are expected to continue reflecting the influence of these predictable events on asset price discovery and trading strategies.