Visa (V) Options Signal Bullish Bias at $355–$360: Here’s How to Position for a Volatile Finish in 2026

• Visa’s price action shows a short-term bullish trend but long-term consolidation near key moving averages.
• Options data reveals a 23% call-heavy open interest bias at strikes above $355, with block trades hinting at institutional positioning.
• Ukraine’s crypto regulatory turbulence could pressure V’s payment network adoption, but options suggest traders are hedging for resilience.

Here’s the thing: Visa’s options market is whispering a story of cautious optimism. With the stock trading just below its 30-day high of $355.20 and a call/put open interest ratio of 1.13 at key strikes, the data leans toward a bullish bias—but with a tight leash. The RSI hovering near 85 and Bollinger Bands stretched wide also scream overbought conditions. This isn’t a "buy the dip" moment—it’s a "watch the tightrope" scenario.

Bullish Army at $355, Bearish Defense at $340

Let’s start with the options. This Friday’s call open interest peaks at $355 (OI: 1,763) and $357.5 (OI: 933), while puts pile up at $330 (OI: 969) and $340 (OI: 671). That’s not random—it’s a chess game. Traders are betting on a push above $355 but bracing for a drop below $343 (the 200D MA support). The block trade of 750 contracts for V20251017C350 adds intrigue: someone’s hedging a long-term bet on V’s crypto-fiat integration resilience.

But here’s the catch: RSI at 85 is a warning siren. If V fails to break above $355.1999 (today’s intraday high), the overbought gauge could force profit-taking, dragging the stock toward the $342–$344 middle band. The puts at $340 aren’t just for show—they’re a safety net for a potential 3% drop.

Crypto-Fiat Headwinds vs. Options Optimism

The Ukraine news complicates things. Binance’s Visa/Mastercard withdrawal freeze exposes V’s reliance on centralized gateways in emerging markets. Yet, the options market isn’t panicking. The call bias suggests traders expect V to weather regulatory turbulence—or even benefit from it. Why? Because the crisis accelerated P2P and SWIFT adoption, which Visa’s B2B solutions could monetize. The proposed Bitcoin reserve in Ukraine? That’s a tailwind for V’s institutional payment rails.

Still, don’t ignore the risk. If global crypto regulators follow Ukraine’s dual oversight model, V’s expansion could face friction. But the puts at $330 are cheap enough to hedge that bet.

Trade Ideas: Calls for the Brave, Spreads for the Pragmatic

For the aggressive: Buy V20260102C355 (next Friday’s $355 call). Why? The OI at this strike is 523, and a break above $355.20 would validate the bullish case. Target: $365 (a 3.5% pop). Stop: Below $352.04 (today’s low).

For the cautious: A bull call spread with V20260102C355 and V20260102C365. Cap risk while riding the $355–$365 wave. Entry: $3–$4 premium. Exit: 50% profit at $360, 100% at $365.

Stock traders: Consider entry near $343.39 (200D MA support) if V dips there. A close above $354.46 (30D resistance) would signal a breakout. Target: $364.75 (upper Bollinger Band). Stop: Below $342.28.

Volatility on the Horizon

The next 72 hours will test V’s resolve. A push above $355.20 could trigger a rally toward $365, fueled by call buyers and crypto-fiat adaptation tailwinds. But a drop below $342.28 would validate the long-term rangebound narrative. Either way, the options market has priced in a 3–5% directional move by January 2nd. Your job? Decide if you’re buying optimism or hedging uncertainty.

Bottom line: This isn’t a "buy and hold" setup. It’s a high-stakes poker game where the pot gets bigger if V holds its support. Play it smart, and you’ll ride the volatility—without getting burned.