Crypto options are one of the fastest growing derivatives contracts in the digital asset ecosystem. It has become a powerful tool for investors to speculate long or short-term, giving investors the ability to adequately hedge the volatility in the crypto markets.
What are Crypto Options?
Crypto options, also known as cryptocurrency options or digital options, are a type of derivative contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a particular cryptocurrency at a specified price on or before a specified date.
There are two types of options:
- Buy Options: Gives the holder the right to purchase the underlying cryptocurrency at a predetermined price known as the strike price, before the contract expiration date.
- Put Options: Gives the holder the right to sell the underlying cryptocurrency at the strike price before the expiration date.
Options can be used for a variety of purposes, including hedging against potential price drops, speculating on price movements, or taking advantage of market volatility. The flexibility and leveraged nature of options trading can make it a powerful tool in the hands of a knowledgeable investor, but it also brings with it significant risk and complexity.
Top 5 Crypto Options Exchanges
We have compiled the best crypto options exchanges for you, which are determined by considering factors such as available assets, liquidity, option contract diversity, security, regulation and user experience…
1. Bybit
Bybit is the unrivaled leader and best platform for crypto options trading and leads the way with the rapidly evolving trading platform. It offers a unique range of trading products led by the BTC, ETH and SOL options market, with USDC Options Contracts setting the industry standard.
Bybit stands out for its deep liquidity and modest fees, starting at just 0.01 percent for both makers and buyers. This is the optimal choice for traders looking for a smooth and efficient trading experience. Outperforming competitors like Deribit, Bybit sets itself apart by offering an unrivaled crypto options trading experience, with superior liquidity, minimal slippage and tight spreads.
2. Deribite
Ranking the second best in the overall ranking, Deribit stands out as the number one choice of institutional investors in cryptocurrency options trading. Specializing in Bitcoin and Ethereum options, Deribit consistently sees daily trading volumes of over $1 billion for BTC and ETH options. The platform offers a professional trading environment with advanced features such as multi-leg strategies, implied volatility charts and deep liquidity. This setup guarantees tight spreads and low slippage, meeting the needs of sophisticated traders.
Despite the slightly higher fees of 0.05 percent, Deribit’s commitment to providing a seamless trading experience remains the preferred choice for institutional investors in crypto options trading.
3. Delta Exchange
As the third leading platform in the market, Delta Exchange stands out as a diversified crypto trading platform with a wide range of options contracts. Its offerings include reputable cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH, BNB, AVAX, SOL, LINK, MATIC and XRP. Although Delta Exchange sets itself apart by supporting a wider range of options contracts compared to other platforms, potential difficulties may arise when trading larger volumes due to low liquidity. Despite this, it has a competitive advantage with a modest fee structure of 0.2 percent.
A standout feature of Delta Exchange is its user-friendly approach, which eliminates the need for KYC or verification to transact on the platform. This feature, combined with the extensive options offering and competitive fees, solidifies Delta Exchange as the fourth best platform in the crypto options trading landscape.
4. IQ Option
IQ Options is a renowned online broker that offers a range of financial instruments, with a notable emphasis on crypto options. This platform facilitates options trading on a selected selection of 10 cryptocurrencies, providing a targeted and streamlined experience for its users.
IQ Options sets itself apart with attainable login requirements with low minimum deposit thresholds. A standout feature is the provision of a free demo account, allowing users to hone their trading strategies before embarking on live trading. The platform also has competitive fees, charging a modest 0.1 percent for options trading. The combination of versatile crypto options, user-friendly interface, accessible login requirements and competitive fees reinforces IQ Options’ position as the fourth best platform for crypto options trading.
5. HXRO Options
HXRO Options offers a unique platform that allows traders to interact with the cryptocurrency market through a decentralized exchange. Its focus is on options trading, which is settled in ether, the native currency of the Ethereum blockchain. This innovative approach allows traders to take advantage of price movements without having to buy or hold the underlying cryptocurrency.
HXRO Options offers an exclusive parimutual options trading offering and is distinguished by the fact that it does not require KYC or verification, highlighting a user-friendly approach. However, while the platform supports 10 indices, it may offer limited liquidity compared to its more established peers.