Normal Distribution Assumption

Definition

The Normal Distribution Assumption posits that financial asset returns follow a symmetric bell curve where the majority of observations cluster around the mean. In quantitative finance, this framework serves as the foundational basis for the Black-Scholes model and various derivative pricing methodologies. Traders often rely on this statistical premise to estimate the probability of price movements within specific time horizons. However, the reality of cryptocurrency markets frequently invalidates this symmetry due to persistent fat tails and extreme kurtosis.