Recently, Bitcoin’s recovery from $80,000 to $88,000 was highlighted by a major position in the options market. An anonymous institutional investor executed a substantial trade using a “call condor” strategy involving 20,000 BTC, potentially worth $1.76 billion. The investor anticipates Bitcoin’s price will range between $100,000 and $118,000 by year-end, although not exceeding $126,000.
Structured Bullish Wager
The options trade confirmed by Deribit was structured using a “long call condor” strategy with four different strike prices. The investor bought a call option at $100,000, sold options at $106,000 and $112,000, and then initiated another call position at $118,000. This four-legged setup is designed to yield maximum profit if Bitcoin’s price closes between $106,000 and $112,000 by the end of the year.
This approach signifies cautious optimism rather than an aggressive bullish stance. The investor believes in upward price movement but caps the profit potential at $118,000. As a result, a measured bullish outlook emerges in the options market. The transaction represents a structured bullish viewpoint, as noted in Deribit’s disclosure.
Balancing Fed Hopes and ETF Flows
Bitcoin’s recovery is supported by renewed expectations of a 25 basis point rate cut in December. However, spot ETFs have not yet regained institutional influxes. According to SoSoValue data, Monday saw a net outflow of $151 million from 11 U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs. These outflows suggest that major investors are betting on volatility rather than price direction, taking strategic positions through derivatives.
This significant block trade stands out as a development enhancing institutional market depth. Block trades are typically large volume orders privately negotiated between two parties to avoid market impact, indicating that this transaction was planned with a professional risk management approach rather than as a short-term speculation.