Bitcoin had a baby! Ethereum was born! And the Ethereum price is finally rebounding, up 3.9% over the last week. Moreover, year-end fate is about to be decided by derivatives, not headlines. Roughly $6 Bn in ETH options expire Friday, and despite call options outnumbering puts by more than 2.2 times, the structure still favors bears unless price can reclaim key levels fast. Here’s what to know: Ether’s $6B Options Expiry Puts Bulls on a Short Leash ETH has failed to hold above $3,400 for more than 40 d ...

Core Insights - CME Group has launched new options tied to XRP and Solana futures, with initial trades executed by major market participants [1][6] - The new options allow trading across various expirations, enhancing the existing cryptocurrency product suite [2][3] - The launch reflects growing institutional demand for efficient risk management strategies in the cryptocurrency market [3][4] Product Offering - CME users can now trade options on Solana, Micro SOL, XRP, and Micro XRP futures, with options providing the right to buy or sell at a predetermined price [2] - The new options expand CME's offerings, which already include standard and micro futures linked to various cryptocurrencies [3] Market Demand - Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group, noted that market participants are increasingly seeking to manage exposure and explore new opportunities in crypto instruments [4] - The deep liquidity in Solana and XRP futures markets supports the new options, providing traders with enhanced tools for investment and hedging strategies [5] Initial Trades - The first options trade on Solana futures was executed between Cumberland DRW and Galaxy, indicating strong demand for trading digital assets [6][7] - The first XRP options trade involved Wintermute and Superstate, showcasing institutional interest in managing digital asset exposure [7][8]