Volatility Skew Steepening

Skew

The volatility skew, particularly within cryptocurrency options markets, represents the implied volatility surface across different strike prices for a given expiration date. It reflects market expectations regarding the likelihood of extreme price movements, typically exhibiting a steeper curve for out-of-the-money puts compared to calls, indicating a greater perceived risk of downside moves. This asymmetry arises from factors such as investor hedging behavior, demand for protection against crashes, and the limited supply of puts relative to calls. Understanding the skew is crucial for option pricing, risk management, and identifying potential trading opportunities.