Bitcoin’s price volatility can be a rollercoaster ride for investors. The recent surge in Bitcoin futures open interest to an all-time high of $36 billion has intensified this volatility. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) alone achieved an $11.9 billion open interest, surpassing the inflow of United States spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Following the launch of spot ETFs in the U.S., Bitcoin’s volatility has actually increased rather than decreased. The 30-day volatility for Bitcoin surged above 80%, the highest level in over 15 months. This level of volatility surpasses even traditional volatile assets like stocks and oil futures.
The recent price movements in Bitcoin have seen a 10% correction followed by a 12% gain within days, resulting in significant forced liquidations in BTC futures contracts. While this may not directly impact holders, it certainly influences the trajectory of the bull run and the broader market’s perception of Bitcoin’s risk.
The Bitcoin futures market allows for leveraged bullish and bearish bets, which can impact the spot price of Bitcoin. Analysts have attributed the increased volatility to excessive leverage or even “manipulation” by market makers. However, the futures premium has remained above 16%, indicating a bullish market sentiment.
Investors should be cautious when trading Bitcoin futures and conduct their own research before making any investment decisions. The $36 billion open interest in Bitcoin futures suggests that the market is poised for more volatility in the near future.