Gamma Hedging
Gamma hedging is the process of adjusting a portfolio to mitigate the risks associated with rapid delta changes caused by price movements. When a trader has a significant gamma exposure, their delta becomes unstable, requiring frequent rebalancing to maintain a neutral stance.
In crypto, where market liquidity can evaporate during high volatility, gamma hedging is challenging. Traders must often use derivatives with different expiries or strike prices to neutralize their gamma, rather than just trading the underlying asset.
This process is essential for large-scale market makers who need to keep their delta stable despite large, lumpy order flow. Without effective gamma hedging, a market maker would be exposed to the risk of a market move shifting their delta so far that they become effectively unhedged.
It is a complex operational task that requires real-time monitoring of the entire options chain. Effective hedging protects the capital base from being eroded by sudden, unexpected market shifts.