

Crypto Options Unplugged
Deribit Exchange
Join Imran Lakha and David Brickell on 'Crypto Options Unplugged,' your weekly-go-to crypto podcast. Expect in-depth analyses valuable insights, expert opinions, and entertaining discussions on the crypto market's hottest topics. Don’t miss out - tune in, subscribe, and stay plugged into the pulse of the crypto world!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 9, 2025 • 46min
Bitcoin in a Range Amid Tariffs & Treasury Bids #71
Bitcoin struggles to break out, stuck in a range as volatility hits holiday lows, with tariff uncertainties creating headwinds but institutional dip-buying supporting prices. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and David Brickell (FRNT), joined by James Van Straten (CoinDesk), analyze Bitcoin’s resilience above 100K, driven by treasury adoption and steady demand. Despite profit-taking, the macro backdrop remains bullish with easing geopolitics and potential Fed rate cuts. They explore MicroStrategy’s dominance, stablecoin growth, and AI’s looming economic impact, signaling a slow grind higher for crypto. Like and subscribe for more!Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Jul 2, 2025 • 30min
Bitcoin Stalls below 110K Despite Macro Tailwinds #70
Equity markets hit new all-time highs, but Bitcoin remains range-bound between 100K and 110K, with volatility suppressed by heavy call-overwriting from institutional accumulators. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and David Brickell (FRNT) discuss the fading geopolitical tensions, a supportive Goldilocks macro environment, and Fed speakers’ dovish shift towards more rate cuts. Despite a $300B liquidity drain at quarter-end, Bitcoin’s resilience and low volatility (near-year lows at 30) offer cheap upside potential. Ethereum’s volatility spread narrows, offering volatility trading opportunities. Like and subscribe for more!Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Jun 26, 2025 • 45min
Crypto Rebounds as Geopolitical Tensions Ease #69
Crypto markets surge as geopolitical tensions ease, stablecoin regulations advance, and Fed speakers hint at July rate cuts, pushing Bitcoin toward new highs. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and Dave Brickell(FRNT), joined by Nate Cox and Conrad Carvalho (Two Prime), explore Bitcoin’s consolidation, low volatility, and Ethereum’s persistent high-vol premium. From Two Prime’s yield strategies for institutional Bitcoin holders to concerns over MicroStrategy copycats, this episode dives into macro tailwinds, corporate treasury trends, and stablecoin dynamics. Like and subscribe for more!Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Jun 18, 2025 • 43min
Middle East Tensions Rise: Bitcoin Holds Steady #68
Bitcoin trades in a tight 100K- 110K range as the summer lull persists, but Middle East tensions spark hedging demand. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and Dave Brickell(FRNT) unpack the market’s resilience, supported by a Goldilocks macro backdrop of low inflation and steady ETF inflows. Ethereum’s high volatility premium holds as realized moves justify it. Imran speaks to special guest Charlie Sandor (CMT Digital), as they explore venture capital trends, stablecoin growth, and AI’s disruptive potential in crypto, from decentralized compute to data verification. Like and subscribe for more!#crypto #trading #cryptocurrencynews #PodcastDeribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Jun 10, 2025 • 46min
Bitcoin Bounces After U.S. Bromance Drama #67
Crypto markets trade in tight ranges with volatility trending lower, as Trump-Elon tensions spark brief risk-off moves before a Goldilocks jobs report lifts Bitcoin back towards 110K. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and David Brickell (FRNT) analyze the calm market, with option flows signaling a quiet summer but potential action in September. David is joined by Ben Cowen (Founder of Into The Cryptoverse) in a special segment where they dive into macro trends, Bitcoin’s resilience, and why altcoins may lag until Q4. Like and subscribe for more!Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

Jun 4, 2025 • 58min
Crypto Vol Crushed As The Rally Stalls #66
In this week's episode, Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and David Brickell discuss the recent consolidation in crypto markets and whether this is just a healthy correction or something more concerning given the macro backdrop. Imran summarizes what has been going on in options markets and the compression in both realized and implied volatility. The special guest this week is Tony Saliba, Founder and CEO of Liquid Mercury, and a major provider of trading infrastructure in the crypto options space. Tony gives his valuable insights into the future of tokenising real-world assets and how he is helping to shape the future of finance. Like and subscribe for more!

May 28, 2025 • 42min
Crypto Holds Firm Amid Bond & Tariff Chaos #65
Bitcoin hits a new all-time high but pauses as EU tariff threats and bond market jitters dampen the mood, while policymakers signal towards yield curve control-type measures to boost liquidity. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight), Dave (FRNT), and guest Pedro Birmann (CEO, Quadra) dive into Bitcoin’s resilience, muted volatility offering trading opportunities, and Ethereum’s high-volatility surge. From Quadra’s platform empowering institutional crypto adoption to strategies like call ratio spreads and basis trades, this episode unpacks market dynamics and crypto’s maturing landscape. Like and subscribe for more!00:00 – Introduction00:56 – Today's Special Guest: Pedro Birmann from Quadra & All Time Highs06:10 – Quadra's Primary Business Focus08:53 – Pedro’s Professional Background and Career Journey11:07 – Deribit vs TradFi Options Platforms 14:20 – How Regular Companies Become Bitcoin Treasury Companies19:23 – Has Retail Been Sidelined in This Bull Cycle & Ethereum Insights24:03 – Ethereum vs Layer 2 Solutions and ETH Vols27:56 – Imran's Current Trading Approach & Options Trades32:47 – Funding Rates on Perpetual Swaps & More Insights 36:00 – Altcoin Volatility & Liquidity Theory41:45 – Closing Thoughts #crypto #trading #cryptocurrencynews #PodcastDeribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

May 22, 2025 • 26min
Bitcoin New Highs Incoming? #64
US-China trade tensions ease, sparking a surge in risk assets and pushing Bitcoin to all-time highs, while Ethereum steals the show with a 50% rally and soaring volatility. Hosts Imran Lakha (Options Insight) and Dave Brickell(FRNT) unpack the market’s sharp turnaround in recent weeks, from Trump’s tariff pivot to fiscal policy shifts fueling liquidity. With bond yields signaling debt concerns but equities and crypto thriving, they dive into Bitcoin’s steady climb, Ethereum’s volatile breakout, and strategies for navigating this potential alt-driven rally. Like and subscribe for more!Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

May 20, 2025 • 11min
Jake Ostrovosis Shares His Market Outlook and Favorite Options Trade
The final Episode of Crypto Options Unplugged is here!In this episode, Imran and David are joined by Jake Ostrovosis from Wintermute for a deep dive into the current crypto landscape. They discuss the broader investing environment across crypto and equities, the market outlook, and Jake shares his go-to crypto options trade in today’s conditions.#JakeOstrovosis #OptionsUnplugged

May 19, 2025 • 13min
George Zarya on Prime Brokerage and Institutional Strategies
🎙️ Episode 15 of Crypto Options Unplugged: The Perpetual Edition is live!In this episode, Imran and David are joined by George Zarya from BeQuant for a deep dive into the world of institutional crypto trading. The conversation covers prime brokerage, basis trades, directional leverage, Delta 1 strategies, and much more. Enjoy the discussion!#GeorgeZarya #OptionsUnplugged


