Core Insights - The options market experienced a record year in 2025, marking the sixth consecutive record, with an average of approximately 61 million contracts traded per day. In 2026, the average has increased to about 67 million contracts, reflecting a 15% year-over-year growth driven by strong retail engagement and institutional activity [1][2][3]. Retail Engagement - Retail participation is significant, with estimates suggesting that around half of the options volume is generated by retail brokers like Robinhood. This strong retail engagement is a key factor in the growth of the options market [2][3]. Zero DTE Trading - The zero Days to Expiration (DTE) trading phenomenon, initiated by CBOE in 2022, has gained traction, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the activity in major products like the S&P 500. This trading strategy allows for high-frequency trading with short-term contracts [3][9]. Institutional Activity - There is an increase in institutional trading, with large concentrated positions in high-performing stocks, prompting institutions to adjust their risk exposure through options rather than liquidating positions to avoid tax implications [4][10]. Popularity of Short-Dated Options - The introduction of short-dated options for popular stocks such as Tesla, Nvidia, and Apple has seen significant trading activity, with millions of daily contracts being traded. This trend indicates a growing demand for flexible trading strategies among investors [6][7][8]. Market Volatility and Opportunities - The market has shown considerable volatility, with significant price movements prompting traders to engage actively in options trading. This environment creates opportunities for both retail and institutional investors to capitalize on price fluctuations [5][22]. Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency ETFs - The IBIT ETF, which focuses on Bitcoin, dominates the trading volume among Bitcoin-specific ETFs, accounting for about 95% of the options trading volume. The volatility of Bitcoin presents both risks and opportunities for investors [17][19]. Conclusion - The options market is characterized by robust retail engagement, innovative trading strategies like zero DTE, and increasing institutional participation, all contributing to a dynamic trading environment with significant opportunities for investors [1][2][3][4][5][10][17].