Visa (V) Options Signal Bullish Bias: Call OI at $350 and Risk-Reversal Setup Highlight Breakout Potential

• Visa’s current price of $336.99 shows a 0.61% intraday gain, trading near its 200-day moving average of $342.02.
• Options data reveals a 0.82 put/call open interest ratio, with heavy call OI at $350 and $355 strikes ahead of Friday’s expiry.
• A $750-block trade in the $350 call (V20251017C350) suggests institutional positioning for a near-term upside move.

The confluence of elevated call open interest at key resistance levels, a bearish RSI of 41.55, and a block trade in the $350 call points to a high-probability breakout scenario. While technicals hint at a short-term bearish bias, options positioning and news flow suggest a potential reversal above $343.29 (middle Bollinger Band).

Decoding the Options Imbalance: Call OI at $350 and Put OI at $332.5 Signal Strategic Positioning

The options chain for Visa reveals a stark imbalance between out-of-the-money (OTM) calls and puts. For Friday’s expiry, the top call open interest is concentrated at the $350 strike (OI: 1,371), followed by $355 (OI: 989) and $365 (OI: 968). This suggests significant speculative or hedging activity above the 30D support/resistance range of $349.76–$350.09. Conversely, the top put OI is at $332.5 (OI: 1,864), with secondary interest at $330 and $325. The put/call ratio of 0.82 (put OI: 162,611 vs. call OI: 197,587) indicates a bearish skew, but the heavy call OI at $350 implies a potential short-covering or breakout trade.

The most notable block trade—750 contracts in the $350 call (V20251017C350) with a $321,000 turnover—further reinforces positioning for a near-term move above $350. This strike aligns with Visa’s 30D and 200D support/resistance cluster ($349.41–$350.74), making it a critical psychological level. A break above $350 could trigger a rally toward the upper Bollinger Band at $353.56, while a failure to hold $336.25 (intraday low) risks a test of the lower band at $333.03.

News Flow: Partnerships and Cybersecurity Bolster Bullish Case

Visa’s recent news cycle is a mixed bag but leans constructive for bulls. The launch of the Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card with Fold and Stripe, along with BUUT’s Gen Z-focused product, underscores Visa’s aggressive expansion into crypto and youth demographics. These partnerships align with the call-heavy options positioning, as they signal long-term growth potential. Additionally, Visa’s cybersecurity upgrades and stablecoin settlement support reinforce its role as a digital payments infrastructure leader.

However, recent headlines about a sharper-than-expected stock decline and stablecoin regulatory fears introduce near-term headwinds. The market’s skepticism about Fold’s Bitcoin card scalability and swipe fee regulations could pressure the stock if volume dips below the 200D MA of $342.02. That said, the block trade and call OI suggest institutional confidence in Visa’s ability to rebound above $343.29 (middle Bollinger Band) amid these challenges.

Actionable Trade Ideas: Calls at $350 and Stock Entry Near $336.25

For options traders, the V20251017C350 call (expiring Friday) offers the most compelling setup. With 1,371 contracts in open interest and a block trade of 750 contracts, this strike is a focal point for short-term volatility. A bullish case emerges if Visa closes above $350, triggering a rally toward $353.56. For a longer-term play, the V20251024C345 call (next Friday expiry) could benefit from a rebound off the 200D MA.

Stock traders should consider entry near $336.25 (intraday low) if support holds, with a target at $343.29 (middle Bollinger Band) and a stop-loss below $333.03 (lower band). A bearish put spread using the $332.5 and $330 puts could also capitalize on a breakdown below $336.25.

Volatility on the Horizon: Balancing Bullish Momentum and Structural Risks

The key takeaway is that Visa’s options market and technicals are in a tug-of-war between short-term bearish momentum (RSI at 41.55, MACD histogram at -0.60) and long-term bullish positioning (call OI at $350, news-driven growth). Traders should monitor the $350 level as a critical inflection point: a break above it could validate the call-heavy positioning and spark a rally toward $353.56, while a failure to hold $336.25 risks a deeper correction. With the Visa Payments Forum in 2030 and ongoing crypto partnerships, the stock’s fundamentals remain robust, but near-term volatility will hinge on execution at key support/resistance levels.