BTC has returned to a key inflection point after sweeping both the February and June lows.

Here's what BTC options data reveals about positioning, volatility, and sentiment beneath the surface.

Volatility Rebounds

BTC IV is rising as price revisits the February lows. 1 week IV has jumped from 33% to 45%, with the rest of the curve also moving higher. Options markets are pricing greater uncertainty as downside volatility returns.

https://glassno.de/4amt4vK

Protection Demand Returns

25 Delta Skew is rising across the curve as traders pay a growing premium for puts over calls. 1W skew has climbed to 30%, while longer maturities have also moved higher. Demand for downside protection is building again.

https://glassno.de/4vQ3at7

Calls Remain Out of Favor

The Skew Index Ratio compares upside IV vs downside IV. Only the 6 month tenor remains above 1, while shorter dated maturities all trade below neutral, reflecting stronger demand for downside protection than upside exposure.

https://glassno.de/3QLDTkn

Volatility Risk Premium Resets

1M implied volatility has caught back up with realized volatility. After spending the past 2 weeks below realized moves, the spread is now at zero. Options markets are no longer underpricing recent volatility.

https://glassno.de/4xQdFha

Short Gamma Dominates Below Spot

Following today's large options expiry, traders rebuilt downside exposure, forcing market makers to be short gamma from 60.5K down to 55K, where dealer hedging could amplify volatility if BTC moves lower.

https://glassno.de/4f2myge

Put Activity Dominates

Put selling led taker flow over the past 7 days, accounting for 38.3% of premium traded, followed by put buying at 32.1%. Call activity remained muted. The options tape continues to revolve around downside exposure.

https://glassno.de/4eIuge1

Wrap Up

Implied volatility has rebounded.

Protection demand is building.

Calls remain out of favor.

Volatility risk premium has normalized.

Short gamma dominates below 60.5K.

Put activity dominates the tape.

Options positioning remains defensive near key support.