Quiet play in $900M: How a major player is preparing for a BTC drop
A large and complex options position worth ~12,600 BTC ($900 million) has been discovered in the options market, indicating a thoughtful preparation for a serious correction. The game is primarily being played through options expiring in February, June, September, and December 2026.
Essence of the strategy:
1. Bear hedge (main position): For February, June, and September, the trader purchased Put options with a strike of $75,000** for 4,200 BTC. The total premium paid is **$44.4 million. This is direct insurance against a decline.
· To recoup this insurance, BTC must fall to ~$55,000.
· The distribution over time means that the player is unsure of the timing of the crash but is prepared for it at any moment during 2026.
2. Hedge funding (compensatory position): A Put $65,000** and Call $120,000 / $130,000 have been sold for December ("volatility selling" strategy). A total of **~$44.5 million in premiums collected, which almost fully covers the cost of the hedge.
· This part is profitable if BTC is trading between $65,000 – $120,000 at the end of December.
Logic and potential scenarios:
· If BTC falls early (ideal scenario): Long puts at $75,000 yield convex profit. The short position for December can be closed early, locking in a total gain.
· If BTC does not fall or falls too late: Losses on long puts ($44.4 million) are offset by profits from December's short positions. Thus, the maximum loss of the strategy is limited, and the main task of the hedge is fulfilled.
Key takeaways:
1. A major player (likely an institution or a market maker of Binance level) is structurally bearish on the medium-term outlook. The level of $65,000 is considered critical support.
2. This is not a speculative "bet" on a crash, but a calculated hedge of a portfolio or position where losses from a decline should be offset by profits from options.
3. The strategy is technically sound: it hedges against the risk of a decline while paying for the insurance with December sales, minimizing net costs.
What this means for the market: The emergence of such a large and complex position is an indirect signal that professional participants are preparing for increased volatility and potential declines. This is not a forecast, but a prepared defense in case risks materialize. Retail traders should pay attention to the levels of $75,000 and $65,000 as key points around which the battle may unfold.