Crypto Options Unplugged

Deribit Exchange

5.0 (2)
Self-Improvement
Updated Weekly

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!

5d ago

Borrowing Against Bitcoin Is Getting Easier? #120

In this week’s Crypto Options Unplugged, Imran Lakha and David Brickell are joined by Stan Havryliuk, CEO of SATS Terminal, to discuss the rapidly evolving world of Bitcoin-backed lending and why borrowing against Bitcoin may become one of crypto’s biggest growth markets. Stan shares his journey from building crypto startups to launching SATS Terminal, a platform that aggregates Bitcoin lending opportunities across DeFi protocols to simplify access to liquidity.The discussion explores how Bitcoin holders can unlock liquidity without selling their assets, why some lending markets are currently offering negative interest rates through incentive programs, and how SATS Terminal removes much of the complexity involved in cross-chain Bitcoin lending. The trio also examine liquidation risks, user experience, and why making crypto products simpler remains one of the industry's biggest challenges.The conversation then turns to the future of on-chain options, with Stan outlining his vision for making options trading far more accessible by focusing on simple outcomes rather than technical jargon. They discuss why options could become the next major product category after perpetual futures and prediction markets, particularly as wallets and exchanges search for new ways to engage users.Finally, the panel shares their outlook on crypto markets, venture capital funding, AI, and institutional adoption. While acknowledging that market sentiment remains cautious, they argue that the long-term opportunity for Bitcoin infrastructure, lending, and AI-powered financial products continues to grow as the industry matures. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients for derivatives and does not accept US clients and clients from restricted countries.#crypto #trading #cryptocurrencynews #podcast
Jul 16

Weaker Inflation Data Triggers A Wave Of Crypto Buying. Will It Last? #119

This week on Crypto Options Unplugged, Imran Lakha and David Brickell break down the latest macro developments following a softer-than-expected US CPI report and discuss why markets may have overestimated the chances of another Federal Reserve rate hike. They examine Kevin Warsh's evolving approach to monetary policy, what it means for inflation, and why the next Fed move is still more likely to be a rate cut than a hike.The conversation then shifts to crypto, where Bitcoin and Ethereum have begun outperforming as macro conditions improve. The pair explore whether Bitcoin is finally breaking out of its multi-month range, how options positioning and volatility are changing beneath the surface, and why skew and implied volatility suggest sentiment may be turning more constructive.They also discuss Ethereum's recent strength, Robinhood's new Layer 2 blockchain, the return of retail interest through meme coins, and whether renewed activity across the Ethereum ecosystem could mark the beginning of a broader altcoin recovery. The episode finishes with key technical levels to watch and what would be needed to confirm the next major leg higher for crypto markets.
Jul 8

The Biggest Banks Are Finally Going All In on Crypto #118

In this week’s Crypto Options Unplugged, Imran Lakha and David Brickell are joined by Andrew Theodosiou, Director of Sales at Talos, to discuss how institutional adoption is accelerating and why digital asset infrastructure is rapidly converging with traditional finance. Andrew explains how banks, hedge funds, ETF providers, and trading firms are moving beyond simply offering crypto exposure and are now investing in tokenization, stablecoins, prediction markets, perpetual futures, and 24/7 trading infrastructure. The discussion explores why regulatory clarity has removed much of the career risk around digital assets and why institutions are now building multi-year strategies rather than waiting on the sidelines.The conversation then shifts to the long-term investment case for Bitcoin, stablecoins, and tokenized assets. The panel debates whether Bitcoin will ultimately become digital gold, why stablecoins represent crypto’s clearest real-world use case, and how tokenization could transform everything from payments to securities trading over the coming decade.The episode concludes with a macro and options market update, covering Bitcoin’s current positioning, the four-year cycle, whale accumulation, volatility dynamics, and why patience and disciplined positioning may offer a better strategy than trying to perfectly time the next crypto bull market. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients for derivatives and does not accept US clients and clients from restricted countries.#crypto #trading #cryptocurrencynews #podcast
Jun 30

Has the Fed Got It Wrong? What It Means for Bitcoin #117

In this week’s Crypto Options Unplugged, Imran Lakha and David Brickell break down the latest macro developments following the Federal Reserve meeting, examining why markets may have overreacted to the Fed’s seemingly hawkish stance and what falling oil prices, declining inflation expectations, and shifting real yields could mean for Bitcoin and risk assets.The discussion explores the rotation taking place beneath the surface of equity markets, questioning whether the AI trade is beginning to cool and if capital could gradually find its way back into crypto. The pair also analyse Bitcoin’s current market structure, options positioning, volatility, and why the asset may be in a bottoming process despite persistent bearish sentiment.The episode also dives into the growing concerns surrounding Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), the debate over its capital structure and preferred securities, and whether fears of a forced Bitcoin liquidation are justified. Finally, Imran and David discuss why patience, disciplined positioning, and avoiding leverage remain critical as investors prepare for the next phase of the crypto cycle. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients for derivatives and does not accept US clients and clients from restricted countries.#crypto #trading #cryptocurrencynews #podcast
Jun 18

The Evolution of Bitcoin, DeFi & Prediction Markets #116

In this week’s Crypto Options Unplugged, Imran Lakha and David Brickell sit down with Andrew Melville, Head of Research at Block Scholes, to explore one of the most important shifts happening in crypto today: the acceleration of institutional adoption and the emergence of prediction markets as a new financial primitive.Andrew shares how Block Scholes has become a leading provider of crypto derivatives and volatility data, supplying institutions, hedge funds, exchanges, and even Bloomberg. The discussion examines why institutional interest is no longer a future narrative but a present reality, with banks, structured product desks, and traditional financial firms increasingly building crypto capabilities despite challenging market conditions.The conversation then turns to market structure, Bitcoin’s resilience amid macro uncertainty, ETF flows, volatility dynamics, and the growing influence of AI-driven capital allocation. The trio debate why crypto volatility remains subdued despite large price swings, and how institutional capital may reshape the industry over the coming years.Finally, Andrew provides his perspective on prediction markets, the evolution of decentralized finance, and why the next wave of growth may come not from speculation alone, but from real-world applications and infrastructure being built today. #crypto #trading #cryptocurrencynews #podcast
Jun 12

How Wall Street Changed Bitcoin Forever #115

In this week’s Crypto Options Unplugged, Imran and David are joined by Jonathan Issan, Co-Head of Crypto Trading at Marex, for an institutional deep dive into how crypto markets have evolved from a retail-driven ecosystem into a mature asset class attracting hedge funds, pension funds, banks, and global asset managers.Jonathan shares his journey from equity derivatives and high-frequency trading into crypto, reflecting on the industry's rapid evolution through major events including FTX, banking crises, regulatory shifts, and the arrival of institutional infrastructure. The discussion explores how the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs fundamentally changed market structure, accelerating institutional adoption and cementing Bitcoin's place within traditional portfolios.The conversation then examines why volatility has continued to decline despite periodic market drawdowns. Jonathan argues that increasing institutional participation, sophisticated market-making, improved risk management, and growing derivatives liquidity have made crypto markets more resilient and efficient than in previous cycles. The team also discusses shrinking basis opportunities, the rise of structured products, hedge fund participation, and whether options markets are becoming large enough to influence spot price behaviour.The episode concludes with insights into institutional demand for Bitcoin exposure, the growing role of structured products, and why crypto's integration into global capital markets may still be in its early stages despite significant progress over the past several years. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients for derivatives and does not accept US clients and clients from restricted countries.
Jun 3

Bitcoin Treasury Companies Explained (And Why They Matter) #114

In this week’s Crypto Options Unplugged, Imran and David are joined by Jamie Knowles, Head of Capital Markets at Smarter Web, for a deep dive into one of the biggest emerging themes in crypto: Bitcoin treasury companies and the financial engineering now driving corporate Bitcoin accumulation.Jamie explains how Smarter Web evolved from a traditional web design and digital marketing company into the UK’s largest listed Bitcoin treasury company, now holding nearly 2,900 BTC on its balance sheet. The discussion breaks down the core value proposition of Bitcoin treasury firms versus simply holding spot Bitcoin or ETFs, focusing on how access to capital markets can increase Bitcoin exposure per share over time. The conversation then moves into the mechanics behind corporate Bitcoin accumulation, including convertible bonds, preferred equity structures, ATMs, and how companies like Strategy and Strive are tapping fixed income markets to fund additional Bitcoin purchases. Jamie also explains the concept of “digital credit” and why preferred yield products backed by Bitcoin are attracting investor attention despite the broader market feeling heavy. The team also discusses current crypto sentiment, why Bitcoin has struggled despite massive corporate buying, and how institutional capital may continue to reshape the market structure over the coming years. Broader macro themes including fiat debasement, capital rotation, volatility suppression, and the growing role of financial innovation in crypto are explored throughout the episode. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients for derivatives and does not accept US clients and clients from restricted countries.
May 28

Is Bitcoin’s Bull Market Broken? #113

In this week’s Crypto Options Unplugged, Imran and David are joined by special guest Andreja Cobeljic, Head of Derivatives at Amina Bank, for a wide-ranging discussion on crypto market structure, institutional flows, macro regime shifts, and why crypto still feels stuck despite a structurally bullish long-term backdrop. Andrea shares his journey from JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs proprietary trading desks into crypto, explaining how a move to Switzerland’s Crypto Valley and a deep dive into the Bitcoin whitepaper completely changed his perspective on digital assets. The conversation explores how institutional traders view Bitcoin—not just as a speculative asset, but as part of a broader shift in financial architecture.The team then unpacks the current crypto market malaise. Despite long-term bullish conviction, realised volatility remains muted, flows feel one-directional, and markets appear trapped in a narrative vacuum. They debate whether Bitcoin’s current structure is overly dependent on concentrated buying, what’s missing to reignite broader participation, and whether apathy—not fear—is the dominant emotion in crypto right now.The macro conversation expands into bond markets, inflation, capital rotation, and the possibility that traditional market relationships are breaking down. The discussion explores whether investors are structurally moving away from sovereign bonds toward equities and hard assets as purchasing power concerns rise, and where Bitcoin fits into that evolving framework. Deribit FZE does not accept UAE retail clients for derivatives and does not accept US clients and clients from restricted countries.

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

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!

Creator

Deribit Exchange
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

137
Rating

Explicit
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© Deribit Exchange
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