Non-Normality

Asset

In cryptocurrency and derivatives markets, non-normality refers to statistical distributions of asset prices or returns that deviate significantly from the standard normal distribution, often exhibiting heavier tails and higher kurtosis. This characteristic challenges assumptions underpinning many traditional financial models, particularly those relying on Gaussian processes for pricing and risk management. Consequently, strategies employing standard Black-Scholes or similar models may underestimate potential losses or misprice options, especially in volatile crypto environments where extreme events are more frequent. Understanding and accounting for non-normality is crucial for accurate valuation and robust risk mitigation in these contexts.