Skew Steepeners

Skew

The observed volatility skew in cryptocurrency options markets reflects the market’s expectation of asymmetric price movements, typically exhibiting a higher implied volatility for out-of-the-money puts compared to out-of-the-money calls. This phenomenon arises from a perceived greater risk of downside price declines, often driven by factors like regulatory uncertainty or macroeconomic events. Skew steepeners represent a situation where this skew intensifies, indicating a heightened demand for downside protection and a corresponding increase in the relative price of put options. Analyzing skew steepeners provides valuable insight into market sentiment and potential directional biases.