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Bitcoin Options Traders Leaning Bearish Despite Price Recovery

Bitcoin Options Traders Leaning Bearish Despite Price Recovery

Bitcoin traders appear cautious about the sustainability of the cryptocurrency’s swift recovery from Tuesday’s low of $53,000.

  • The top cryptocurrency jumped 8% on Wednesday, erasing Tuesday's slide from $57,000 to $53,000, as the U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen backtracked on comments suggesting interest rate hikes may be needed to stop the economy from overheating.
  • Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading near $58,000, representing a 21% gain on lows near $48,000 seen at the end of April, according to CoinDesk 20.
  • The recovery, however, has failed to subdue fears of a deeper bull market correction. The one-week put-call skew remains entrenched in the positive territory for the third straight week in a sign of persistent demand for short-term put options or bearish bets.
  • Traders look to be buying "protective puts" – purchasing puts against long bitcoin positions in the spot or futures market.
  • The put-call skew is a gauge of the value of puts relative to calls; a positive skew implies that demand for puts (bearish options bets) is outstripping calls (bullish bets). 
Bitcoin put-call skews
Source: Skew
  • The one-week put-call skew is currently hovering near 9%, having turned positive with bitcoin's drop from $60,000 to sub-$50,000 in the second half of April.
  • However, the options market continues to show long-term bullish with three- and six-month skews returning negative values. The one-month gauge is now hovering near zero.

Also read: Ether Traders Load Up on $8K Call Options in Bet Price Will Double by July 

Disclosure
The leader in blockchain news, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups.
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