BTC Options Expiry Approaches With Significant Put Call Imbalances and Market Targets

According to data released by Greeks.live macro researcher Adam on January 16, 2026, major options contracts are approaching expiration across the Bitcoin and Ethereum markets. The BTC options expiry event involves substantial trading volumes and specific price level expectations that warrant close market attention.

Bitcoin Options: 20,000 Contracts Set to Expire

The BTC options expiry encompasses 20,000 contracts with important market implications. The put call ratio reaches 1.39, indicating a notable skew toward protective puts relative to calls. The maximum pain point—the price level where the least amount of money changes hands at expiration—stands at $92,000. These contracts carry a total nominal value of $2.3 billion, representing significant potential market impact upon expiration.

Ethereum Options Follow Suit: 120,000 ETH Contracts Expire

Alongside the BTC options expiry, the Ethereum market faces the expiration of 120,000 options contracts. ETH options display a more balanced put call ratio of 1.04, suggesting relatively moderate sentiment regarding downside protection. The maximum pain point for ETH options is positioned at $3,200, with a collective nominal value of $430 million. This expiration coincides with the Bitcoin event on the same timeframe.

Market Implications and Price Level Expectations

The coinciding BTC options expiry and ETH options expiry represent critical junctures where significant open interest resolves. Traders closely monitor these pain points as they often correlate with actual price movements in the final hours before expiration. The substantial put call ratios—particularly Bitcoin’s 1.39—suggest elevated hedging activity and downside risk concerns priced into these contracts as of mid-January 2026.