Non-Normality Assumption

Analysis

⎊ The Non-Normality Assumption in cryptocurrency derivatives acknowledges that asset returns frequently deviate from the standard normal distribution posited by many traditional financial models. This deviation is particularly pronounced in nascent and volatile markets like crypto, where events such as exchange hacks or regulatory shifts can induce extreme price movements, creating ‘fat tails’. Consequently, relying solely on models predicated on normality can underestimate true risk exposures and misprice options contracts, leading to inaccurate hedging strategies and potential capital misallocation. Accurate risk assessment necessitates incorporating distributions that better capture these observed characteristics, such as stable distributions or t-distributions.