Crypto Options Unplugged

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.

Crypto markets rebound into the range as US-China trade deal hopes rise and stocks hit ATHs ahead of tech earnings. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and Dave Brickell (FRNT), with guest Alexander Hagen (ACE Digital Bitcoin Treasury CEO), discuss FOMC’s potential QT end fueling further upside. Alex shares his TradFi-to-crypto journey, building a Bitcoin treasury via options, emphasizing simplicity: "Just Bitcoin." He views ETH as "oil in the machine" or NASDAQ-like, not for treasuries. Options strategies for treasuries: own calls for upside, while some sell puts for yield and further accumulation. They remain bullish on Bitcoin’s debasement hedge properties amid fiscal dominance. Like and subscribe!Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Crypto markets fail to recover with equities despite dialed-back trade war rhetoric. Long-term holders are selling, while demand from digital asset treasuries and ETFs wanes. Put skew and volatility remain elevated, signaling caution ahead of CPI data. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and Dave Brickell (FRNT) break the down cross-currents: funding market pressures forcing Fed QT to end, persistent debasement trade via liquidity needs, and potential risk-off in the near-term as price action derteriorates. Short-term caution advised—no bearish thesis change, but navigate volatility with proper sizing. Bullish long-term on Bitcoin amid systemic money printing but don't need to be a hero! Like and subscribe!Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Crypto markets tumble as Trump reignites trade tensions with China, causing nearly $20B in liquidations of leveraged positions. Volatility spikes and put skew explodes, especially in Ethereum, with altcoins facing massive drops. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and Dave (FRNT), joined by Friedrich Herzog (Matrixport), discuss if it's time to buy the dip. Friedrich shares his journey from traditional finance (systematic equities at Goldman Sachs) to crypto, emphasizing Matrixport's focus on diversified alpha generating strategies. Despite the spat creating turbulence, macro tailwinds remain strong—position sizing, avoiding leverage, and using options for hedging are key to navigating washouts of weak hands. Like and subscribe for more!Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Crypto markets surge with gold as Bitcoin hits a new high near 126K, driven by a US government shutdown and tariff-funded stimulus talks fueling the debasement trade. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and David Brickell (FRNT), with guest Oleksandr Proskurin (Arkis), note low volatility, with funding rates and call skew stable, indicating institutional-driven spot buying, not speculative futures led frenzy. Record $6B weekly ETF inflows signal maturing markets, with Solana’s low 70-80 vol and potential ETF approval suggesting upside to $250+. Arkis’s DeFi prime brokerage bridges on-chain and centralized finance, offering portfolio margin and KYC-compliant lending. Macro tailwinds—global rate cuts, rising liquidity, and Japan’s bond market pressures—support Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against fiat debasement. Like and subscribe for more!Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.