Intrinsic Value Calculation
Intrinsic value calculation is the process of determining the base worth of an option by comparing the current spot price to the strike price. For a call, the formula is the maximum of zero or the spot price minus the strike price.
For a put, it is the maximum of zero or the strike price minus the spot price. This calculation provides the baseline for the contract's value, independent of market sentiment or time remaining.
In digital asset derivatives, this is the first step in any pricing analysis. It allows traders to isolate the extrinsic value, which contains the more complex variables like volatility and time.
Accurate calculation is essential for identifying whether a derivative is priced fairly according to fundamental market data. It is a straightforward yet critical quantitative step in derivative analysis.