Crypto Options Unplugged

Deribit Exchange
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Join Imran Lakha and David Brickell on 'Crypto Options Unplugged,' your weekly-go-to crypto podcast. Expect in-depth analyses valuable insights, expert opinions, and entertaining discussions on the crypto market's hottest topics. Don’t miss out - tune in, subscribe, and stay plugged into the pulse of the crypto world!

  1. Crypto Calms - Dead Cat Bounce or Real Bottom? #99

    3D AGO

    Crypto Calms - Dead Cat Bounce or Real Bottom? #99

    This week Imran and David host guest Sid Powell (Maple Finance co-Founder) to discuss the disconnect between crypto prices and the growth in activity and positive trajectory in the space regarding infrastructure build and regulatory clarity. Topics discussed include: Borrowing demand shifted from basis trade compression to reserve/OTC/yield strategies; inflows post-crash ($150M stablecoins) show yield hunger. TradFi interest surges (tokenized private credit/RWAs); quantum threat dampens retail/RIA adoption but solvable long-term. Outlook: constructive medium-term (Fed dovish shift + AI capex rationalization likely), but short-term chop/de-risk probable. Tokenization + institutional flows key catalysts; ETH benefits from credit/DeFi dominance. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

    38 min
  2. BTC Breaks 70k Triggering Extreme Put Skew And Liquidations #98

    FEB 11

    BTC Breaks 70k Triggering Extreme Put Skew And Liquidations #98

    Crypto finally broke lower last week, smashing through long-term supports triggering cascading liquidations, massive unwinds, and multi-year extreme put skew/vol explosion (front-end puts hit -30 vol skew, implieds ~100). Panic pricing peaked, and spot had sharp retrace (BTC back ~67K range) suggests worst may be over — potential retest of 74K as resistance before real bottom forms (without vol blowout). Guest Praneeth Srikanti (Ethereal Ventures partner) joins David for an indepth interview covering : VC crypto still active (pre-seed/seed focus), thesis shifting to risk/trust infrastructure (neutral, non-aligned layers for AI-era compute/power/settlements), tokenomics converging equity/token views, AI as crypto accelerator (provenance, deterministic agents, yield sources). Like and subscribe for more. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

    1h 6m
  3. Hawkish Fed Chairman Warsh Triggers Crypto and Silver Crash - What's Next? #97

    FEB 5

    Hawkish Fed Chairman Warsh Triggers Crypto and Silver Crash - What's Next? #97

    Crypto & precious metals crack lower over the weekend as markets digest Kevin Warsh's nomination as Fed Chair (replacing Powell in May) — seen as hawkish on balance sheet reduction (smaller Fed footprint, less QE dependency, favoring productive credit over asset inflation), sparking knee-jerk risk-off despite his dovish lean on rates. Put skew explodes (front-end protection demand surges, calls dumped), vol spikes, signaling near-term chop/volatility ahead of major supports (BTC ~74K line in sand, ETH ~2,200). Guest Eric Saraniecki (Canton Network co-founder, Digital Asset) joins David discussing Canton built for institutional composability & privacy, targeting high-utility collateral (Treasuries, cash legs, FX), cash-on-ledger velocity, RWAs at scale. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

    1h 2m
  4. Gold Parabolic, Crypto Still Stuck – Why The Disconnect? #96

    JAN 28

    Gold Parabolic, Crypto Still Stuck – Why The Disconnect? #96

    Gold Parabolic, Crypto Still Stuck – Why The Disconnect?Text: Crypto remains frustratingly range-bound (85–95K zone) despite gold/silver parabolic moves and macro liquidity tailwinds. Geopolitical noise easing (Greenland tariffs looking like classic Trump deal-making fade), but US government shutdown risk looms this weekend — could delay key crypto bills. BTC/ETH testing major supports (98K Fib + short-term holder cost basis provided overhang above), put skew elevated (protection demand strong), suggesting lows may not be in yet. Guest Adam Brice (ex-precious metals broker, now Hivemind Capital trader) joins Imran & Dave: discusses gold/silver decoupling, quantum risk (real but 5–10+ years out), generational shift (millennials value digital/non-sovereign assets), and why the alt narrative needs fresh momentum. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

    1h 2m
  5. Geopolitics Back In Charge – Fade or Real Risk for Crypto? #95

    JAN 22

    Geopolitics Back In Charge – Fade or Real Risk for Crypto? #95

    Markets give back last week’s gains as Trump reignites tariff threats — this time targeting the EU over Greenland access (rare earths + strategic Arctic control). BTC/ETH chop back to low end of the range, vol stays subdued (no major spike), but put skew ticks higher as call buying fades. Macro backdrop remains supportive (soft CPI, ongoing Fed liquidity drip, SLR tweaks), but Japan’s bond/yen pressure + geopolitical noise keep risk appetite cautious. Guest JM Mognetti (CoinShares CEO) joins Imran & Dave via video link: shares CoinShares journey from early hedge fund to today’s European ETF powerhouse + US NASDAQ listing push. Discusses tokenization as the next big convergence play, regulatory hurdles (Europe over-regulates, US catching up fast), and why Bitcoin’s long-term thesis remains intact despite short-term frustration. Like and subscribe for more! Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

    58 min
  6. Vol Crushed, Macro Roaring – When Does Crypto Catch Up? #94

    JAN 14

    Vol Crushed, Macro Roaring – When Does Crypto Catch Up? #94

    Can Crypto wake up in 2026: risk appetite returns, big Dec 26 expiry overhang gone, and BTC/ETH finally looks to move higher while gold/stocks are already at new highs. But vol stays crushed — BTC still the “least loved” major asset despite the macro tailwinds (Fed’s ongoing “not-QE QE” T-bill buys + Fannie/Freddie MBS purchases + SLR tweaks = serious liquidity juice). Guest Reqir Van Damir (ex-Galaxy, now DRW senior trader) joins Imran & David to unpack the structural shift: Asian whales de-risking BTC (now seen as “US risk” post-ETF/MSTR accumulation), rotating into gold/silver/commodities amid de-dollarization + AI capex boom. Treasury-company supply drying up, but new buyers (who loaded at 92–107K) are underwater and could add pressure if we break 85K (then quick vacuum to 70K). Long-dated put skew remains sticky — institutions hedging, short-term traders overwriting topside. Takeaway: Macro is screaming bullish, but crypto needs fresh narrative/momentum to catch up. 85K is the line — hold it and 100K+ looks very real in Q1. Break it and 70K becomes the test. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

    47 min
  7. Crypto 2026 Outlook - Why HODL Might Not Work Again #93

    JAN 2

    Crypto 2026 Outlook - Why HODL Might Not Work Again #93

    The New Year kicks off and Imran goes solo with guest Amar Patel (ex-Lehman/Nomura equity derivatives trader turned independent crypto trader based in Dubai). Amar shares his journey — from buying the 2017 top, reading The Bitcoin Standard in 2019, to piling into BTC at the March 2020 COVID crash lows (~$3.5K average) and never adding more fiat since. Discussion covers the shift from TradFi mean-reversion habits to embracing crypto’s momentum/trend-following nature, using leverage safely (tight stops, ATR-based sizing), and why pure HODL struggles in volatile regimes. Amar highlights catalyst-driven trades (ETH ETF speculation, BitMine buys) and the power of preparation + technical tools (Fibonacci, SuperTrend) over chasing every move. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

    1h 24m
  8. Bitcoin Disappoints in 2025 But The Debasement Trade Is Still On #92

    12/24/2025

    Bitcoin Disappoints in 2025 But The Debasement Trade Is Still On #92

    In this Christmas episode, Imran and David reflect on a frustrating 2025 for Bitcoin - despite gold/silver moves, ETF inflows and increasingly bullish macro and policy tailwinds. The duo blame persistent whales selling and reflexive “4-year cycle top” concerns for capping the upside. The liquidity outlook is set to brighten in 2026 with the FED’s new T-bill purchases and SLR tweaks for banks to buy more duration. The financial suppression playbook should be fully engaged. They still expect another big debasement wave to hit next year, driving Bitcoin (and risk assets) higher once year-end funding squeezes fade. Stay patient. The structural bull case is stronger than ever. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients or US clients, and clients from other restricted countries.

    41 min
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About

Join Imran Lakha and David Brickell on 'Crypto Options Unplugged,' your weekly-go-to crypto podcast. Expect in-depth analyses valuable insights, expert opinions, and entertaining discussions on the crypto market's hottest topics. Don’t miss out - tune in, subscribe, and stay plugged into the pulse of the crypto world!

Information

  • Creator
    Deribit Exchange
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    116
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Deribit Exchange
  • Show Website
    Crypto Options Unplugged

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