Bitcoin News Today: Deribit Launches USDC-Settled BTC and ETH Options on August 19 2025

Deribit, a Dubai-based digital assets derivatives exchange and subsidiary of Coinbase, has announced the introduction of USDC-settled options for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). The new contracts will launch on August 19, 2025, and will be available as linear options, offering lower minimum trade sizes and stablecoin-based settlement, which is expected to enhance market accessibility and liquidity [1]. This development builds on Deribit’s prior expansion into USDC-settled derivatives for altcoins like Solana and XRP, and complements existing USDC-settled perpetual futures on the platform [2].

The new options will allow traders to use USDC as collateral for both margin and settlement, providing greater capital efficiency and flexibility for both retail and institutional participants. Deribit’s CEO, Luuk Strijers, emphasized that the linear options structure offers a more predictable and transparent exposure to price movements, making them suitable for hedging, speculative trading, and yield strategies [3]. The minimum order sizes for the new contracts—0.01 BTC and 0.1 ETH—are significantly lower than those of traditional inverse options, expanding access to a broader range of traders [4].

Deribit’s existing inverse BTC and ETH options will remain unaffected and continue to operate alongside the new offerings. The linear options are fully integrated into the platform’s risk engine and will offset inverse options for margin purposes, further enhancing capital efficiency for traders managing both product types [5]. This integration supports Deribit’s broader goal of offering sophisticated, yet accessible, trading solutions in the crypto derivatives market.

The shift toward stablecoin-based settlement reflects increasing demand for reliable and predictable financial instruments, particularly from institutional traders. By introducing USDC-settled options, Deribit is responding to this trend and reinforcing its position as a leading derivatives platform. The platform’s infrastructure supports low-latency trading, deep liquidity, and robust risk management, backed by a team experienced in options trading across multiple asset classes [6]. As a subsidiary of Coinbase, Deribit benefits from the parent company’s global reach and institutional-grade ecosystem, further strengthening its offerings [7].

The launch of USDC-settled options for BTC and ETH represents a significant step forward in the evolution of crypto derivatives. By offering smaller minimum sizes and stablecoin settlement, Deribit is addressing the needs of traders seeking more efficient and user-friendly options products, potentially leading to increased volume and greater participation in the derivatives market [8].

Source:

[1] https://www.barchart.com/story/news/34181620/deribit-introduces-linear-options-for-btc-and-eth

[2] https://insights.deribit.com/education/usdc-settled-btc-eth-options-launch/

[3] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deribit-introduces-linear-options-for-btc-and-eth-302531054.html

[4] https://www.rootdata.com/news/153959