- Nasdaq introduces cash-settled Bitcoin Index Options for investors.
- New product tracks Bitcoin using CME CF Real Time Index for accuracy.
- Nasdaq Bitcoin Index Options offer innovative exposure for all investors.
Nasdaq’s proposal to introduce Bitcoin Index Options based on the CME CF Bitcoin Real Time Index. These cash-settled options are set to revolutionize how both retail and institutional investors access Bitcoin.
Nasdaq’s Innovative Bitcoin Index Options
Nasdaq PHLX has filed a proposed change of rule to list and trade Nasdaq Bitcoin Index Options, which will provide investors with a precise price for Bitcoin. This new product, which uses the CME CF Bitcoin Real Time Index (BRTI), will be cash-settled and have a European-style exercise. Nasdaq intends to introduce the options as a tool for both retail and institutional investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without directly holding the digital asset.
The Nasdaq Bitcoin Index Options will track the price of Bitcoin using the CME CF Bitcoin Real Time Index, a benchmark that aggregates Bitcoin trading data from various major exchanges. This index is regulated under the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as part of the EU’s Benchmark Regulation. The options will allow investors to engage in trading without the need to hold physical Bitcoin, offering an efficient way to speculate on Bitcoin’s price.
Moreover, these options will be cash-settled, with the final settlement value based on the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate New York Variant (BRRNY). BRRNY will reflect the closing prices of Bitcoin in USD from major exchanges and will be published daily at 4:00 PM New York time. Nasdaq expects this new product to attract investors seeking a secure and regulated instrument to trade Bitcoin price movements.
Phlx aims to implement this new product in a manner that aligns with existing index options listed on the exchange. Phlx also proposes rules that would govern the trading of Nasdaq Bitcoin Index Options such as trading hours, settlement, and position limits. The proposal highlights that the Nasdaq Bitcoin Index Options will use a minimum price increment of $0.01 and will have a $100 multiplier for settlement.
Crypto-Related Products
The exchange’s decision to introduce this product is part of an ongoing effort to expand its offerings in cryptocurrency-related financial instruments. This move comes after previous regulatory approvals for other cryptocurrency-based products, such as Bitcoin futures and exchange-traded products (ETPs). The Nasdaq Bitcoin Index Options are designed to complement these products and offer an alternative exposure to Bitcoin without the need for direct ownership.
The SEC is yet to provide a final approval but has opened a public participation period for the proposed rule change. Interested parties can submit feedback on the proposal before a final decision is made. If approved, this new option would represent a major step forward in the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency-based financial products within regulated markets.
