"$80,000 USD Barrier" becomes the focus for traders: Options market leaks market panic signals

Bitcoin experiences significant fluctuations amid escalating geopolitical tensions, and recent options market trading data reveal investors’ true sentiments. According to data from derivative trading platforms, a large number of traders are preparing for potential declines through the options market, indicating deep market concerns about recent price movements. Currently, Bitcoin’s price hovers around $89,950, while traders are heavily defending a key psychological level—$80,000.

“Bearish Skew” Signal in the Options Market

Analysis from decentralized derivatives trading protocol Derive.xyz shows that the options market is exhibiting a typical defensive pricing structure. The so-called “bearish skew” refers to the market pricing in higher risk of decline compared to upside potential, which is especially evident in the current market environment.

For investors new to options, these derivatives are similar to “insurance tools” in financial markets: call options allow traders to bet on price increases, while put options are used for bearish bets or hedging. When market sentiment turns pessimistic, investors tend to buy large amounts of puts as protective positions.

Sean Dawson, head of research at Derive.xyz, points out that the options pricing model clearly reflects the market’s defensive stance. Data shows that traders widely anticipate significant downside risk for Bitcoin, which is fully reflected in the price differences of options contracts.

Traders Heavily Buying $80,000 Put Options

Most notably, on the two major derivative trading platforms Derive and Deribit, investors are actively purchasing put options with strike prices between $75,000 and $80,000. This movement clearly indicates a market consensus: Bitcoin may test lower levels.

According to Sean Dawson’s analysis, the options skew (a technical indicator used to measure the relative pricing of calls and puts) remains negative, further confirming the presence of short-term downside risk. This wave of positioning by traders is not baseless but a quantifiable response to specific geopolitical risks.

Latest market data shows that at the $80,000 support level, both institutional and retail investors are actively adjusting hedging strategies. Such large-scale put buying waves often signal cautious attitudes among market participants regarding short-term price movements.

From the April Crash to This Year’s Volatility: How the Market Assesses Downside Risks

History often guides our understanding of the present. In April 2025, a sudden shift in U.S. policy triggered intense global market volatility, with Bitcoin dropping to around $75,000. The same trigger—uncertainty in trade policies—caused widespread panic in the markets.

Today, similar policy uncertainties re-emerge, but this time the focus is on geopolitical tensions. These repeated external shocks make traders more cautious in estimating market bottoms, making $80,000 the most discussed psychological level currently.

Sean Dawson warns that tensions between the U.S. and Europe over tariffs are significantly increasing market risk premiums. He notes that spot market prices have not fully priced in these potential downside risks, making the defensive pricing strategies in the options market even more cautious.

$80,000: The Market’s Focal Point

Based on various signals from the options market, $80,000 has become the most closely watched technical level. Traders are heavily buying puts in this range, essentially preparing for a possible market correction. Both institutional investors and professional traders are deploying dense defensive positions at this price point.

While current market volatility is worth noting, the signals from the options market suggest that investors are adopting a more proactive and rational risk management approach. $80,000 is no longer just a number but the most critical psychological and technical focus in the market right now.