Bitcoin News Today: Deribit Launches USDC-Settled BTC and ETH Options Boosting Trading Flexibility

Deribit, the Dubai-based digital assets derivatives exchange, has introduced USDC-settled linear options and futures for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), launching on August 19, 2025. These products expand Deribit’s stablecoin-settled derivatives offerings and are available alongside existing USDC-settled perpetual futures, providing traders with enhanced flexibility and capital efficiency [1]. The new options feature lower minimum order sizes—0.01 BTC and 0.1 ETH—making them more accessible to a wider range of market participants, including both retail and institutional traders [4].

The move reflects growing demand for stablecoin-based derivatives, driven by a desire to mitigate the volatility risks typically associated with crypto trading. By settling in USDC, a widely adopted stablecoin, Deribit aligns with market participants’ preferences for predictable pricing structures and reduced exposure to crypto’s price swings [2]. This offering is particularly timely as it follows Deribit’s prior expansion into USDC-settled linear options for altcoins such as Solana (SOL) and XRP, signaling a broader industry trend [2].

Deribit CEO Luuk Strijers stated that the new products represent a milestone in delivering institutional-grade tools that meet the evolving needs of clients. The exchange emphasized that USDC-settled options provide a familiar fiat-like structure, enhancing accessibility and flexibility for traders [3]. Additionally, the new options are fully integrated into Deribit’s risk engine, allowing for margin offsets with existing inverse BTC and ETH options, further improving capital efficiency [5].

As a subsidiary of Coinbase, Deribit benefits from the parent company’s advanced infrastructure and liquidity, reinforcing its position as a major player in the global crypto derivatives market. The launch of these products is expected to increase liquidity and participation, particularly as traders seek more sophisticated strategies in a maturing market [6]. Analysts have noted that the expansion could also bolster USDC’s role as a preferred settlement asset in derivatives trading [2].