Derman-Kani Model

Algorithm

The Derman-Kani Model represents a lattice-based approach to valuing American-style options, differing from Black-Scholes by accommodating early exercise opportunities. Its core innovation lies in a binomial tree framework calibrated to market prices of European options, subsequently used to determine the value of the American option. This methodology effectively addresses the limitations of analytical solutions for American options, providing a practical valuation technique applicable to various underlying assets, including cryptocurrency derivatives. The model’s iterative process ensures convergence towards a fair value, reflecting the time value of optionality and the potential for early exercise.