Model Calibration Trade-Offs

Calibration

Model calibration, within cryptocurrency derivatives, necessitates aligning theoretical pricing models with observed market prices, a process complicated by the nascent nature of these markets and limited historical data. Effective calibration demands careful consideration of implied volatility surfaces, particularly for options on Bitcoin and Ether, where liquidity can be fragmented across multiple exchanges. The trade-off lies in balancing model complexity—incorporating features like jumps or stochastic volatility—against the risk of overfitting to current market conditions, potentially leading to inaccurate pricing and hedging in future states.