Crypto Options Unplugged

JM Mognetti, CEO and co-founder of CoinShares, shares insights on the evolution of the firm from a hedge fund to a major ETF provider in the crypto realm. He discusses the implications of geopolitical tensions on crypto, revealing how regulations vary between Europe and the US. JM highlights the importance of tokenization in revolutionizing traditional assets and offers a strategic outlook on Bitcoin, urging a long-term perspective despite short-term market volatility. His thoughts on market differentiation and institutional shifts provide a fascinating lens on crypto's future.

Can Crypto wake up in 2026: risk appetite returns, big Dec 26 expiry overhang gone, and BTC/ETH finally looks to move higher while gold/stocks are already at new highs. But vol stays crushed — BTC still the “least loved” major asset despite the macro tailwinds (Fed’s ongoing “not-QE QE” T-bill buys + Fannie/Freddie MBS purchases + SLR tweaks = serious liquidity juice). Guest Reqir Van Damir (ex-Galaxy, now DRW senior trader) joins Imran & David to unpack the structural shift: Asian whales de-risking BTC (now seen as “US risk” post-ETF/MSTR accumulation), rotating into gold/silver/commodities amid de-dollarization + AI capex boom. Treasury-company supply drying up, but new buyers (who loaded at 92–107K) are underwater and could add pressure if we break 85K (then quick vacuum to 70K). Long-dated put skew remains sticky — institutions hedging, short-term traders overwriting topside.Takeaway: Macro is screaming bullish, but crypto needs fresh narrative/momentum to catch up. 85K is the line — hold it and 100K+ looks very real in Q1. Break it and 70K becomes the test.Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

The New Year kicks off and Imran goes solo with guest Amar Patel (ex-Lehman/Nomura equity derivatives trader turned independent crypto trader based in Dubai). Amar shares his journey — from buying the 2017 top, reading The Bitcoin Standard in 2019, to piling into BTC at the March 2020 COVID crash lows (~$3.5K average) and never adding more fiat since. Discussion covers the shift from TradFi mean-reversion habits to embracing crypto’s momentum/trend-following nature, using leverage safely (tight stops, ATR-based sizing), and why pure HODL struggles in volatile regimes. Amar highlights catalyst-driven trades (ETH ETF speculation, BitMine buys) and the power of preparation + technical tools (Fibonacci, SuperTrend) over chasing every move. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

In this Christmas episode, Imran and David reflect on a frustrating 2025 for Bitcoin - despite gold/silver moves, ETF inflows and increasingly bullish macro and policy tailwinds. The duo blame persistent whales selling and reflexive “4-year cycle top” concerns for capping the upside. The liquidity outlook is set to brighten in 2026 with the FED’s new T-bill purchases and SLR tweaks for banks to buy more duration. The financial suppression playbook should be fully engaged. They still expect another big debasement wave to hit next year, driving Bitcoin (and risk assets) higher once year-end funding squeezes fade. Stay patient. The structural bull case is stronger than ever.Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Bitcoin chops sideways into the final FOMC of 2025 — 25 bps cut is priced to perfection, but the real game is the guidance: will Powell hint at aggressive 2026 cuts and, crucially, confirm front-end liquidity ops (“not-QE QE”) to ease funding stress? Imran & David debate the Bank of Japan headache (hiking into stagflation while forced to buy bonds = yen likely the escape valve) and why dollar-yen ripping to 200+ could actually be bullish for hard assets long-term. Today's special guest was James Check, co-founder of CheckonChain discussing what he's seeing from the on-chain and options world to guide his views into 2026.Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Bitcoin dropped after Bank of Japan hints at a December rate hike — markets flash back to August’s carry-trade scare and crypto dumps harder than stocks. Imran Lakha (Options Insight) & David Brickell (FRNT) push back: the real “carry unwind” fear (Japanese investors repatriating $4T in foreign assets) is overblown — domestic institutions move slowly and Japan’s stagflation mess actually makes the yen weaker long-term. Real problem remains US funding stress: TGA drawdown slowed by heavy T-bill issuance, QT ends this week but front-end pressures still building. Fed rate cut next week helps a little, but real relief only comes when the Fed proactively supplies front-end liquidity (“not-QE QE”). Until then, expect choppy price action into year-end.

This week features James Van Straten, a Senior Analyst at CoinDesk specializing in on-chain data and crypto markets. He discusses the recent Bitcoin correction, emphasizing why it felt more severe due to underwater short-term holders and rapid sell-offs. James contrasts ETF buying trends with broader market pressures and believes accumulation at $80K is wise. He reassures listeners about MicroStrategy's stability and highlights a shift towards lending BTC for yield, anticipating a liquidity wave ahead as the cycle dynamics remain steady.

Bitcoin tests $90K as ETF outflows, whale selling and tighter funding markets weigh heavy. Imran & David break down the macro backdrop: Fed speakers turn hawkish, Dec rate-cut odds drop below 50%, equities wobble, liquidity still tight despite government-shutdown end. Hosts expect short-term pain (possible dip to high-$80Ks) but see relief soon from TGA spend-down and potential Fed “not-QE” front-end liquidity ops. Long-term bull thesis unchanged — more money printing coming in 2025–2026. Guest Sam Gaer (CIO, Monarch AM ) explains how he always keeps downside convexity in the book: buys near-the-money puts, sells 2× deep OTM “panic” puts to get paid for protection, delta-hedges actively and rolls profits Result: hedges pay for themselves most of the time and give dry powder to buy real dips.Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Host Dave Brickell (FRNT Financial) welcomes post-trade expert Quintin Archer (Panda Logic) with Imran away this week. Quintin explains how clearing houses in traditional finance manage risk and settle trades safely. He shares how firms like LCH are now bringing that same trust and efficiency to crypto with cash-settled Bitcoin and Ethereum futures and options. The future? Blending TradFi and DeFi through tokenization, stablecoins, and public blockchains because innovation happens fastest in open networks. In terms of markets, U.S. liquidity pressures eases as government spending is likely to resume; Fed may soon add support. Imran gives a remote vol update from Miami. Like and subscribe!#crypto #trading #cryptocurrencynews #Podcast

Money is broken—but Bitcoin can fix it. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and Dave Brickell (FRNT) welcome Joe Bryan, creator of viral video "What's the Problem?" From index trader to Bitcoin evangelist, Joe explains how fiat's "big red button" enables endless money printing, eroding purchasing power and incentivizing short-termism, corruption, inequality, health crises, and societal decay. Bitcoin separates money from state: rules without rulers, energy-bounded scarcity, self-custody via 12-word seeds, censorship-resistant transfers. Crypto ≠ Bitcoin—most is fiat with CEOs/marketing. Joe encourages people to embrace self-custody and educate themselves. Bitcoin is the life raft in debasement storm that keeps getting worse. Enjoy this feature-length episode—watch Joe's video linked below to learn more! Like and subscribe.