Volatility Endogeneity

Definition

Volatility endogeneity describes the feedback loop occurring when the act of trading financial derivatives, particularly options, directly influences the underlying asset price variance. In cryptocurrency markets, this phenomenon manifests as dealers hedging their delta-neutral positions by trading the underlying coin, thereby creating a self-reinforcing cycle of price swings. This structural dependency implies that realized volatility is not merely an external market force but a function of participant positioning and risk management activities.