BlackRock Inc.’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has overtaken Coinbase’s Deribit platform to become the world’s largest Bitcoin options venue. As of Friday’s contract expiry, IBIT’s options reached $38 billion in open interest, surpassing Deribit’s $32 billion. This shift marks a significant change in the landscape of Bitcoin derivatives.
IBIT, which launched Bitcoin options trading in November 2024, has quickly gained prominence in the market. In contrast, Deribit has been a key player since 2016, dominating Bitcoin derivatives for years. The surge in IBIT’s options volume follows a broader trend of increased interest in regulated U.S.-based venues.
IBIT’s quick rise can be attributed to its rapid growth in assets. By June 2024, IBIT surpassed $70 billion in assets under management (AUM) in just 341 trading days, setting a new ETF benchmark. This is a remarkable achievement compared to other major ETFs, which took significantly longer to reach similar milestones.
IBIT’s growing influence represents a shift in the cryptocurrency market towards U.S.-regulated platforms. Traditionally, offshore platforms like Deribit thrived on leverage and high-risk trading. However, U.S.-based platforms, such as IBIT, are increasingly attracting more capital, offering greater credibility.
Despite IBIT’s rapid growth, Deribit remains popular among crypto-native traders. The platform continues to hold strong, especially following its acquisition by Coinbase in August.
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