TL;DR
- Bitcoin derivatives markets are showing signs of stabilization after late-November liquidations, with futures open interest at 646,840 BTC valued at $59.74 billion.
- Options traders maintain a bullish tilt, as calls represent roughly 64% of open interest and concentrate near $100,000 strikes.
- Max pain levels across major exchanges hover in the upper-$80,000s to low-$90,000s, keeping bitcoin’s price action in a defined range.
Bitcoin traded at $91,892 on Wednesday after briefly touching $93,928 earlier in the morning. Futures markets are beginning to rebuild following the heavy unwind that dominated late November. According to coinglass.com, aggregate futures open interest stands at 646,840 BTC, valued at $59.74 billion. While hourly movements are modest, the 24-hour change shows a +2.07% rise, indicating traders are cautiously re-entering the market rather than exiting.
Bitcoin Derivatives Show Signs Of Recovery
CME leads with 124,480 BTC in open interest and a 19.24% market share, followed closely by Binance with 121,460 BTC and 18.78%. Bybit recorded a notable daily rebound with a 4% increase in open interest, while mid-tier platforms such as Kucoin and Gate also saw meaningful inflows. After weeks of consistent drains, the futures chart now stabilizes near the $60 billion level, signaling a shift from defensive positioning.
Options Market Activity Highlights Bitcoin’s $100K Ambition
Options data paints a more bullish picture. Calls account for 345,484 BTC, while puts sit at 192,957 BTC, giving calls roughly 64% of total open interest. On Deribit, December 26 expiries dominate activity, with strike prices concentrated between $100,000 and $118,000. Traders continue to bet on higher levels despite bitcoin trading below six figures, reflecting sustained confidence in a year-end rebound.
Put demand exists near $85,000, but it is outweighed by larger capital committed to upward positions. Max pain levels on Deribit, Binance, and OKX all fall in the upper-$80,000s to low-$90,000s, placing bitcoin’s current price of $92,295 near the center of this range. Max pain does not dictate direction but tends to create a balanced, indecisive price zone as market participants approach expiries.
Spot Market Supports Cautious Optimism
Bitcoin has recovered from last week’s $80,537 low, printing steady upward candles. Volume remains mixed, showing the market is still evaluating its next move. Futures open interest stabilization, bullish options positioning, and max pain alignment indicate a market shifting from defensive behavior to measured engagement. If exposure continues at this pace, December could see more directional moves while bitcoin maintains relative stability for now.
