Episode Summary: Bitcoin is entering the holiday stretch with a fight for the $90,000 handle following the Fed's final interest rate cut of 2025. Host Mark Longo breaks down the high-stakes leverage building in the crypto markets. We analyze the "sell-the-open" pattern hitting U.S. sessions, the massive open interest in Bitcoin futures, and why the $85,000 floor remains the most critical support level for the end-of-year "Santa Rally."

Mark Longo welcomes Greg Magadini of Amberdata for The Crypto Rundown to dissect the crypto market's weakness following the latest Fed meeting. As Bitcoin (BTC) drops back below the $90,000 level and altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) pull back, the hosts analyze critical volatility indicators and options flow to determine if a full "crypto winter" is approaching, or if it's time to buy the dip.

• Is Winter Coming? Bitcoin has pulled back $4,000 post-FOMC, leading to a highly divided audience poll on whether to buy the dip or prepare for more downside.

• Vol Skew Analysis: The volatility surface has fundamentally reshaped since the summer, with long-dated Put Skew (puts more expensive than calls) priced in all the way out to 180 days. Greg explains how this positioning suggests IBIT holders are well-hedged.

• Critical Inflection Point: Analysis of Gamma Exposure profiles pinpoints the $85,000 strike as the key downside level for dealers, separating consolidation from a major crash risk.

• Understanding Shadow Term Structure: Greg explains this cool Amberdata tool, which acts as a time-lapse for volatility, allowing traders to compare current term structure to historical trends.

• Hottest Crypto Options: Dissection of trades in IBIT (Bitcoin ETF) and the highly speculative MSTU (leveraged MicroStrategy). Learn why the MSTU upside is a favorite sell for premium collectors.

• Altcoin Universe: Analysis of Ethereum (ETH) falling below $3,000, Solana (SOL) (SOL) at $125, and their relative volatility against each other.

• Trading Strategy: Greg explains why he prefers to sell long-term puts on assets like Circle (C) to finance long-term call spreads, capturing high Vega exposure before expected volatility repricing.

• BTC, ETH Volatility (7-Day, 30-Day, 180-Day)

• BTC, ETH Vol Skew & Risk Reversal

• IBIT Options Flow (Dec 52/54 Vertical)

This week on The Crypto Rundown, we dive into the latest trends in Bitcoin and Ethereum options trading and the broader cryptocurrency derivatives markets. We analyze Bitcoin's recent rally, its price movement, and the shifting volatility landscape.

We also explore the critical dynamics of Ether (Ethereum), focusing on its current volatility levels and key factors impacting its price action.

• Deep-Dive Analysis: Why the MSTU reverse split makes it a hot target for options trading right now.

• Expert Insight: Greg Magadini from Amberdata joins the show to share his outlook on Ethereum, Solana, Circle, and Shiba Inu (altcoins).

• Strategies & Sentiment: A final discussion on advanced crypto options trading strategies and a review of current market sentiment indicators.

Don't miss these essential insights for navigating the crypto derivatives landscape!

In this episode of 'The Crypto Rundown,' hosted by Mark Longo from the Options Insider Radio Network, the focus is on the latest developments in the cryptocurrency market. The episode delves into the trading activities, trends, and volatility within the crypto derivatives markets, with a particular spotlight on Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Greg Magadini from Amberdata joins the conversation to provide in-depth analysis on market movements, volatilities, and the digital asset class. The discussion covers topics such as the impact of global monetary policies on crypto markets, the performance and challenges of digital asset treasuries, the role of options trading platforms like Ibit and Deribit, and the strategic implications of staking in cryptocurrency investing. Additionally, the episode includes listener questions about staking practices and insights into altcoins such as Solana and Circle.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

This show provides an in-depth analysis of the latest trends, trading activities, and market developments in the crypto derivatives market. It covers various cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and several altcoins. It discusses their performance, volatility, trading volumes, and market sentiment. Key segments include the Bitcoin breakdown, an exploration of altcoin activities, and listener questions on asset allocation for the coming year. Notably, the episode also discusses how the market behavior of different cryptocurrencies has changed over the past week, particularly during significant price movements.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

CRYPTO HOT SEAT: Greg Magadini, Amberdata

In this episode, we delve into the latest trends and activities within the crypto derivatives markets. We have an in-depth discussion on the recent volatility affecting Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Solana. Notable market movements and psychological price levels are analyzed, including Bitcoin's fall below the critical $100K mark and Ethereum's struggles to maintain support above 3000. Greg also explores various option trading strategies such as collars, put calendars, and risk reversals against the backdrop of current market conditions. Additionally, popular cryptos and related assets like Circle, Bitminer, and MSTU are examined, discussing their potential for future gains or further decline. The episode concludes with a provocative audience poll on preferred asset classes for a buy and hold strategy through the end of the next year, with most participants favoring Bitcoin.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

CO-HOST: Bill Ulivieri, Cenacle Capital Management

In this episode, Mark and Bill discuss trading strategies involving Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies. They explore topics such as the use of technical analysis in crypto trading, the implications of leveraged ETFs, and the significance of volatility and skew in current market conditions. The episode also covers specific trading instruments like bit mining stocks (BMNR), Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), Circle, and the newly launched Bitwise Solana staking ETF (BSOL). Additionally, they mention the impact of earnings reports, trading techniques for managing risk, and emerging products tied to digital assets. The show concludes with a brief touch on various altcoins and their recent performance.

This week, we dive into the fascinating intersection of crypto, AI, and traditional public markets with Sal Ternullo, Co-Founder and CEO of Sovereign AI ($OP / $SVRN).

Sovereign AI is setting out to acquire a substantial treasury of NEAR Protocol tokens and is bringing institutional finance rigor to the space. Sal breaks down their unique strategy, which includes:

• Public Listing: Bridging the gap between the NEAR token and NASDAQ investors.

• Active Options Management: Utilizing advanced options strategies—specifically selling puts to optimize accumulation and potentially selling calls—to generate yield and manage risk on their core NEAR holding.

• Counterparty Risk: How they are actively managing risk across multiple Tier 1 venues in a way that differs from standard, single-threaded asset managers.

Also Covered:

We recap the market action, including the significant drop in Bitcoin and Ether prices, which has driven volatility higher and skew sharply to the downside. Plus, a look at the explosive volume in IBIT options and the latest wild moves in crypto mining stocks like Mera and ETHZilla.