Options Sentiment

Definition ∞ Options sentiment describes the prevailing attitude or outlook of market participants regarding the future direction of an asset, as indicated by their activity in the options market. It reflects whether traders are predominantly positioning for price increases (bullish sentiment) or decreases (bearish sentiment) through their options trades. Analyzing options sentiment can provide forward-looking indicators of market expectations. This is distinct from spot market sentiment due to the leverage and directional bets involved.
Context ∞ In the cryptocurrency market, options sentiment analysis is gaining prominence as a tool for gauging trader expectations for major digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Current discussions often focus on metrics such as the put/call ratio and implied volatility as indicators of bullish or bearish positioning. A key debate involves the reliability of options sentiment as a leading indicator, particularly in volatile crypto markets, and its correlation with on-chain activity.