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How Will Markets React as $10B in Crypto Options Expire Today?

Around 80,000 Bitcoin options contracts will expire on Friday, Jan. 30, and they have a notional value of roughly $8.36 billion. This week’s expiry event is a large one because it is the end of the month. However, crypto derivatives expiry events such as this rarely influence spot markets, which have remained relatively flat this week. Bitcoin Options Expiry This week’s batch of Bitcoin options contracts has a put/call ratio of 0.68, which means that there are more call (long) contracts expiring than puts (shorts). Moreover, open interest (OI), or the value or number of BTC options contracts yet to expire, is highest at the $120,000 strike price, which is $2.4 billion, according to Deribit. There is also around $1.65 billion in OI at the $110,000 strike price, as derivatives traders continue to speculate that BTC prices will rise from current levels. Earlier this week, crypto derivatives provider Greeks Live said the “longer-term outlook remains constructive with expectations of continued upward momentum.” Meanwhile, Deribit reported that Bitcoin’s brief drop below $100,000 this week caused changes in the derivatives market. Short-term traders were buying more put options than usual, but longer-term traders remained optimistic, favoring call options, it stated. Bitcoin OI by expiry. Source: Deribit Around 600,000 Ethereum contracts are also expiring in addition to today’s tranche of Bitcoin options. These have a notional value of $1.95 billion and a put/call ratio of 0.43. This brings Friday’s combined crypto options expiry notional value to around $10.3 billion. Crypto Market Outlook Total market capitalization has fallen just over 1% on the day to $3.68 trillion, where it was at the same time last week. Bitcoin reached $106,000 in an intraday high on Thursday but started to retreat during the Friday morning Asian trading session, falling to $104,300 at the time of writing. It has recovered from a Monday dip into the five-figure territory but failed to gain further momentum this week. Ethereum remains weak, having failed to reach $3,300 and trading at just over $3,200 at the time of writing. The altcoins were generally mixed with minor gains and losses on Friday morning. Stellar (XLM), Sui (SUI), and Litecoin (LTC) were doing a little better than the rest. Analysts have observed that February is usually much better for crypto price action than January, so things could be about to heat up. The post How Will Markets React as $10B in Crypto Options Expire Today? appeared first on CryptoPotato . CoinTurk News

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This Cryptocurrency Quietly Gains Ground While Dogecoin and XRP Falter

The world of cryptocurrency is always shifting, with some ventures gaining momentum as others encounter obstacles. Lately, Dogecoin (DOGE) and XRP, two prominent digital currencies, have been struggling to keep their pace. In the midst of this, Lightchain AI, a budding blockchain initiative, is quietly carving out its niche. With a successful presale that raised over $13.8 million at a price of $0.005 in Stage 13, Lightchain AI is emerging as a formidable presence in the crypto market. Dogecoin and XRP Face Uphill Battle Both Dogecoin and XRP have been in the spotlight in recent weeks. Dogecoin experienced a rapid price increase when it was announced that Elon Musk was appointed by President-elect Donald Trump to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), introducing an unexpected twist to the currency’s path. XRP has also seen a rise in activity, fueled by hopes that a more favorable regulatory climate under the new administration might alleviate the pressures on Ripple Labs. The ongoing legal issues have been a significant obstacle for investors, and any regulatory clarity could bolster confidence in XRP’s potential. Despite these events, the cryptocurrency landscape remains highly unpredictable. The future success of Dogecoin and XRP will hinge on factors like regulatory changes and overall market sentiment, leaving their trajectories uncertain. Lightchain AI Building Momentum While DOGE and XRP deal with uncertainties, Lightchain AI is quietly establishing its footing in the blockchain sector. Unlike these well-known tokens, Lightchain AI focuses on offering advanced tools for developers and enterprises, facilitating the development of innovative decentralized applications (dApps). Its ecosystem, centered on developers, provides extensive APIs and testing platforms, fostering innovation and adoption across diverse industries. A key factor in Lightchain AI’s appeal is its dedication to community governance. Token holders have a direct say in platform updates, ensuring the network evolves to meet user demands. With the launch of its testnet set for 2025, Lightchain AI is poised to capture more interest from investors and blockchain developers. Why Lightchain AI Stands Out Lightchain AI distinguishes itself by steadily building momentum while addressing core blockchain issues, setting it apart from projects like DOGE and XRP. By concentrating on scalability, usability, and inclusivity, Lightchain AI is positioning itself as more than just a speculative asset. Its transparent governance and focus on supporting developers have made it a blockchain project with significant long-term promise. Additionally, the successful presale of Lightchain AI indicates rising confidence among investors. As the project progresses toward its mainnet launch, its innovative features could establish it as a strong player in the blockchain arena. https://lightchain.ai https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf https://x.com/LightchainAI https://t.me/LightchainProtocol CoinTurk News