Key Takeaways
- • Traders on the decentralized options platform Derive are heavily buying Bitcoin call options with strikes between $80,000 and $90,000, positioning for a price rise around the US midterm elections in early November 2026.
- • Interest is also growing in calls betting Bitcoin will exceed $100,000 by Christmas, signaling sustained bullish sentiment among professional traders.
- • Derive captures over 90% of the onchain crypto options market and recently upgraded its platform to improve transaction speed and efficiency.
- • A single $68 million bet on Bitcoin rising above $90,000 shortly after the midterms, placed via call options on Derive, reflects the scale of directional positioning.
- • Bitcoin traded slightly lower on Pluang, down 0.34% at Rp1,450,705,520, even as call-option demand surged, with buy orders making up 78% of activity.
Summary
Additional coverage of the Derive activity describes a single trader placing a $68 million bet on Bitcoin rising above $90,000 shortly after the U.S. midterm elections, using call options on the platform. That coverage states that market odds were also rising, reflecting growing optimism among participants positioned for a post-election move.
The activity comes as Bitcoin trades near the $80,000 level. Market data cited in the primary report shows Bitcoin's market capitalization at Rp29.342,2 trillion as of October 26, 2026, with a 24-hour trading volume of Rp336,28 trillion on Pluang. Bitcoin's price on Pluang was down 0.34% at Rp1,450,705,520 at the time of reporting, while buy orders accounted for 78% of activity. The report notes a typical hold time of 112 days, which it characterizes as suggesting steady investor interest.
The divergence between rising call-option demand and a softer spot price underscores the sophistication of current positioning. For allocators and derivatives desks, the concentration of bullish bets around specific strikes and a defined event window indicates that participants are expressing views on the midterm outcome and year-end price levels rather than simply reacting to spot moves.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.