Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP traded cautiously on Friday as global investors watched the expiry of about $7.1 trillion in U.S. stock and ETF options. This marks the largest options expiry on record and has stoked concerns about near-term market volatility. Analysts, however, caution that such events do not automatically derail crypto prices. Options expiry days typically spark higher trading activity as investors close positions or roll into new contracts.
Traders expect the final triple witching day of the year to channel about $7.1 trillion in open interest toward expiry. The final triple-witching of the year will see $7.1 trillion in open interest expire. This process can cause sudden price swings in stock markets, especially toward the end of the trading session. Because cryptocurrencies often react to changes in overall market mood, it remains to be seen if stock market volatility affects digital assets.
Experts point out that cryptocurrencies are not directly affected by U.S. equity options settlements. Any impact on crypto is more likely to come through indirect channels such as tighter liquidity, changes in the U.S. dollar, or shifts in investors’ willingness to take risks. In many past cases, large institutions prepared well in advance, meaning much of the price adjustment happened before the actual expiry date. Bitcoin was trading near a support zone between $85,000 and $86,000.
If prices fall below this range, selling pressure could increase in the short term. On the other hand, staying above this level may help prices stabilize. Ethereum continued to move largely in line with Bitcoin, while XRP also dropped in the last 24 hours. Analysts say the market’s focus will remain on how U.S. stock markets close and whether risk sentiment weakens heading into the weekend.
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