Bitfinex exchange launches futures contracts on bitcoin and Ethereum volatility

The tools are based on the Bitcoin Implied Volatility Index (BVIV) and Ethereum Implied Volatility Index (EVIV)

03.04.2024 - 14:30

2 min

What’s new? Crypto exchange Bitfinex’s derivatives trading platform has launched open-ended BTC and ETH volatility futures. The new contracts are based on the Bitcoin Implied Volatility Index (BVIV) and Ethereum Implied Volatility Index (EVIV), which track the expected/implied volatility of option contracts.

Cointelegraph’s material

What else is known? Perpetual futures are a type of derivative contract without an expiration date that allows traders to speculate on the future price of an asset. In options trading, the implied volatility measure reflects how much the market expects the value of an asset to change over a given time. If investors expect a significant move, volatility increases; if a subdued move is expected, volatility decreases.

Bitfinex’s head of derivatives Jag Kooner noted that open-ended futures are the “most tradable format in the crypto space,” as other contracts are based on a dated structure.

In total, more than 60 open-ended futures are available on Bitfinex, not only for cryptocurrencies, but also for precious metals, oil, currencies, and stocks. “These new contracts will allow us to add implied volatility as another asset class,” said the senior executive.

Kooner mentioned that new trading tools are being introduced in response to cryptocurrencies reaching record-high prices. “With many crypto prices reaching new ATHs, the likelihood of increased volatility and significant drawdowns means there is more utility for these indexes than ever,” he emphasized.

Bitfinex is a subsidiary of iFinex, as well as the issuer of the largest USDT stablecoin by capitalization, Tether.

Earlier, Kooner noted that unmet demand for bitcoin played a crucial role in bitcoin overtaking silver to become the second-largest commodity exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States.

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