Non-Stationary Volatility

Definition

Non-stationary volatility describes financial series where the variance of returns evolves over time rather than reverting to a constant long-term average. In crypto derivatives markets, this phenomenon manifests as clusters of high-intensity price movements followed by prolonged periods of relative stability. Traders must recognize that standard option pricing models often fail here because they assume stable volatility parameters. Recognizing this variance structure allows for more accurate risk assessment in fragmented digital asset ecosystems.