The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is currently reviewing an application to approve the launch of FLEX equity options on the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF (IBIT). According to a filing submitted on December 2, the BOX Exchange has requested a rule change to allow trading of FLEX IBIT options and is seeking an SEC waiver of the standard 30-day implementation delay in order to protect investor interests and ensure fair competition among exchanges. Nasdaq PHLX and Nasdaq ISE have also submitted similar proposals, with Nasdaq ISE becoming the first exchange approved to list options on IBIT.
The launch of FLEX IBIT options is aimed at helping market participants more effectively manage the volatility risk of the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF, while also increasing liquidity and reducing counterparty credit risk. In addition, BlackRock is awaiting approval for the iShares Bitcoin Advanced Yield ETF (ETHA), which will provide investors with returns from Bitcoin-related strategies. Unlike IBIT, which only tracks the spot price of Bitcoin, ETHA is designed for yield-focused investors seeking more stable returns. The SEC is expected to decide on the listing of options and ETFs for IBIT and ETHA in the first quarter of 2026.
On the market side, Bitcoin has risen nearly 8% in the past 24 hours, currently trading at around $93,243, with a low of $86,404 and a high of $93,542, and trading volume rebounding 10% year-over-year. This price rally has been driven by multiple factors, including Vanguard listing the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF and other crypto funds, liquidity injections following the end of the Fed’s quantitative tightening, and rising market expectations for a possible rate cut in December.
Activity in the derivatives market has also increased significantly. According to CoinGlass data, the total open interest in Bitcoin futures has risen 6% in the past 24 hours, with 4-hour Bitcoin futures open interest on CME and major exchanges up more than 1.8% and 2.77%, respectively. If approved, FLEX options will further enrich ETF derivative tools, enhance institutional investors’ risk management capabilities, and may have a positive impact on market liquidity.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Bitcoin Financial Services Firm Fold Launches Employee Bitcoin Rewards Program for Employers
Gate News message, April 23 — Bitcoin financial services company Fold has announced the launch of an employee bitcoin rewards program for employers, allowing companies to distribute regular bitcoin rewards with built-in vesting mechanisms without modifying payroll systems or assuming custody or comp
GateNews11m ago
Expert Says Bear Trap Setup Is a Fakeout, Bitcoin Price Could Surge and Hit $230,000 ATH
Expert says bear trap setup is a fakeout.
Bitcoin price could surge and hit $230,000 ATH.
Analysts debate between bullish and bearish outcomes.
The crypto community is pleased to see the price of Bitcoin (BTC), the pioneer crypto asset, surge to hit higher price ranges. In the last cou
CryptoNewsLand1h ago
Trader Maji Closes HYPE Long Position; Current BTC and ETH Longs Exceed $80M
Gate News message, April 23 — Trader Maji closed his entire HYPE long position 3 hours ago, according to Hyperbot data. He currently maintains a 25x leveraged Ethereum long position holding 18,000 ETH
GateNews1h ago
Kevin O'Leary Says Only Bitcoin and Ethereum Are "Worth Owning" Among Cryptocurrencies
Gate News message, April 23 — Renowned investor Kevin O'Leary stated that only Bitcoin and Ethereum deserve a place in investment portfolios, according to remarks made on the Varney & Co. program. The President of O'Leary Ventures said he has restructured his crypto holdings after years of
GateNews1h ago
Hyperscale Data Adds 13.2 BTC, Total Holdings Reach 663.31 Bitcoin
Gate News message, April 23 — Hyperscale Data, a publicly traded company on U.S. stock exchanges, increased its Bitcoin holdings by 13.2 BTC, bringing its total position to 663.31 BTC.
GateNews1h ago
Bitcoin Futures-Spot Spread on Major CEX Reaches Nearly 1% Amid Liquidation Spike
Gate News message, April 23 — A major centralized exchange experienced a significant futures-spot price spread on BTC/USDT over the past hour. Spot prices fell to $77,174.01 while futures dropped to $76,504.60, creating a spread of $669.41, or approximately 0.87%. The spread has since narrowed,
GateNews2h ago
