TL;DR
- Launch: Deribit will launch USDC-settled linear BTC and ETH options on Aug. 19, plus dated futures, with minimum sizes of 0.01 BTC and 0.1 ETH, smaller tick sizes, and coexistence with inverse contracts.
- Mechanics: Cross portfolio margin allows offsets between linear and inverse positions. BTC, USDC, and ETH USDC indices are pegged to USD indices, deliveries assume 1 USDC equals 1 USD, and valuation uses the live USDC USD rate.
- Context: Deribit remains the largest crypto options venue, records above $185 billion in monthly volume, and is now owned by Coinbase. USDC depeg risk still matters, testnet is live, ERC 20 USDC is supported only.
Crypto derivatives giant Deribit will roll out USDC-settled, linear options on Bitcoin and Ether on August 19, expanding its stablecoin offering to the market’s two largest assets. The launch adds fresh collateral flexibility, smaller minimum sizes, and familiar cash-style payouts for traders who prefer to keep balances in stablecoins rather than coin collateral.
BTC & ETH options, now also in USDC. 🚀
Deribit is launching USDC-settled linear options, giving traders:
• Stablecoin-based margin & settlement
• Lower minimum order sizes
• Risk offsets vs inverse options
• Leverage of reward-bearing USDC holdingsLaunching on August 19th.… pic.twitter.com/IncOlyCDCz
— Deribit (@DeribitOfficial) August 15, 2025
Launch details
In addition to the options, Deribit will offer USDC-settled dated futures for BTC and ETH, enhancing its current USDC perpetuals. Linear contracts will trade next to the exchange’s inverse, coin-settled products, not replace them, so participants can choose settlement in USDC or in the underlying asset. Minimum sizes start at 0.01 BTC and 0.1 ETH, with smaller tick sizes.
Why it matters
USDC settlement gives traders who operate in stablecoins the ability to avoid negative coin equity swings and rebalancing friction. Running linear and inverse books side by side also opens hedging and arbitrage pathways for basis and skew trades. For institutions and active retail, the design mirrors traditional cash-settled options, which can simplify onboarding and risk reporting and capital efficiency gains.
Market structure and margining
With cross portfolio margin, risk from linear and inverse positions can offset in the same matrix, which lowers requirements for offsetting strikes and maturities. Deribit has pegged its BTC, USDC, and ETH USDC indices to the corresponding USD indices, removing the USDC USD exchange rate from delivery pricing and aligning settlement across product sets.
Payouts on delivery assume one USDC equals one USD, while account valuation still uses the live USDC USD rate. Traders who keep balances in USDC also accrue monthly USDC rewards, currently around 4% annualized.
Context and outlook
Deribit continues to be the biggest crypto options platform in terms of volume and open interest, recently achieving a record month with over $185 billion in trading. The expansion arrives shortly after Coinbase closed its acquisition of Deribit, signaling a push to scale stablecoin-settled derivatives for blue-chip assets.
Products are available on testnet for rehearsal, and only ERC 20 USDC deposits are supported. Key risks include USDC depeg events, although index pegging reduces direct index exposure while not eliminating collateral valuation effects.
