[News Brief] Apr 22, morning | BlackRock IBIT Bitcoin Options OI Surpasses Deribit for the First Time

BlackRock IBIT Bitcoin Options OI Surpasses Deribit for the First Time

The open interest (OI) of options tied to BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, has surpassed the Bitcoin options market on crypto derivatives platform Deribit for the first time. Analysts say the expansion of long-biased bets in the U.S. regulated market signals a faster pace of Bitcoin institutionalization.

According to Odaily, open interest in BlackRock IBIT options was recorded at $27.61 billion on Friday, exceeding Deribit’s Bitcoin options market OI of $26.9 billion.

Based on Volmex data, IBIT call option investors are pricing in a short-term Bitcoin target of around $109,709. That is about 41% above the then-current level of roughly $77,400.

By contrast, the main concentration of bets on Deribit was around $106,000. In addition, the average maturity of IBIT options is about two months longer than on Deribit, suggesting that investors in the U.S. regulated market are reflecting a longer investment horizon and stronger bullish expectations.

The U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF market has already emerged as a key channel for institutional capital inflows. CoinDesk reported that the latest expansion in the IBIT options market shows that demand for Bitcoin investment is broadening beyond spot ETFs into derivatives.

Next Week: Focus on FOMC, Powell Press Conference, PCE, and GDP

Next week, markets will be watching the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) rate decision, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference, and major U.S. growth, inflation, and labor data releases.

According to panewslab.com, investors are also monitoring the recent standoff between the United States and Iran, as well as remarks by President Trump, which could shake risk appetite. Gold prices are likewise seen as vulnerable to significant volatility depending on geopolitical developments.

Key events on the calendar include the Dallas Fed business activity index, ADP employment data, consumer confidence, the Richmond Fed manufacturing index, API and EIA crude oil inventories, the FOMC rate decision, Powell’s press conference, initial jobless claims, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the preliminary first-quarter GDP reading, and the S&P Global manufacturing PMI.

Markets had previously maintained strength in U.S. equities despite changes in Middle East dynamics and policy uncertainty. However, if geopolitical tensions rise again, volatility across financial markets could increase in tandem with major macroeconomic events.

U.S. Central Command Continues Blockade of Ships Entering and Leaving Iranian Ports

U.S. Central Command said via social media that the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney deployed armed helicopters in the Arabian Sea to intercept a merchant vessel.

According to the command, the vessel altered course under U.S. military instructions and returned to Iran under escort from a U.S. naval ship.

The U.S. military said it would continue its full blockade of ships entering and leaving Iranian ports. Since the blockade began, 37 vessels have reportedly changed course.

Previously, President Trump said the blockade of all ships entering and leaving Iranian ports would begin at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13.

Iran condemned the U.S. measure as an act of war and a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Sources: Odaily, CCTV News

Bitcoin Faces Resistance at $80,000 Based on Options Market Data

Bitcoin is facing strong resistance at $80,000 based on options market indicators, and volatility could increase if it breaks above the $82,000 area, according to analysts.

Odaily reported that crypto analyst Murphy said on X that after combining three indicators—options gamma exposure, open interest by strike, and at-the-money implied volatility—$80,000 appears to be the first effective upside resistance level for Bitcoin.

He explained that the $80,000 area combines high call option open interest, positive gamma, and low implied volatility. As price rises toward this zone, dynamic hedging by market makers is more likely to create selling pressure, while lower implied volatility increases sensitivity to hedging adjustments.

Murphy said about 7,200 BTC worth of open interest and positive gamma are concentrated at this level, making $80,000 a difficult resistance zone to break during Bitcoin’s May rally.

However, he added that around $82,000 there is a larger negative gamma zone of approximately 4,644 BTC, meaning that if price enters that range, the market could quickly shift from an upside-capping regime into one of amplified volatility.

Aave-Led DeFi United Raises More Than 100,000 ETH

Odaily reported that Aave launched the “DeFi United” relief plan on April 18 in response to the rsETH incident.

The plan was led by Aave founder Stani Kulechov and was structured as a public fundraising effort accepting ETH contributions from the community.

According to the latest tally, DeFi United has raised more than 100,000 ETH. That amounts to over $232 million, with participation from more than 85,000 addresses.

The initiative was introduced following the rsETH-related incident on April 18.

U.S. DOJ Charges Soldier Over Polymarket Bets Using Confidential Information

According to Odaily, the U.S. Department of Justice has charged Gannon Ken VanDyke, a member of U.S. special forces, with using confidential information to place bets on prediction market platform Polymarket regarding the possibility of a U.S. operation in Venezuela and earning more than $400,000 in illegal profits.

CNN reported that after learning the soldier had effectively bet on the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Trump appeared to soften his stance. Trump reportedly compared it to baseball player Pete Rose betting on his own team to win, saying, “It’s like betting on your own team to win. If he had bet the other way, that would have been a problem, but I’ll take a look at this case.”

According to the report, after Trump’s remarks, some close allies publicly mentioned the possibility of a pardon for the soldier. The case is expected to intensify legal and political debate in the United States over the use of confidential information in prediction markets.

U.S. DOJ: Participant in $263 Million Crypto Theft Ring Sentenced to 70 Months

The U.S. Department of Justice said Evan Tangeman, a 22-year-old California man involved in a criminal ring that stole about $263 million in cryptocurrency through social engineering and home invasions, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

According to Odaily, Tangeman admitted to helping launder at least $3.5 million in illicit funds for the group. Prosecutors also said evidence showed he destroyed evidence after accomplices were arrested.

Authorities said the group spent millions of dollars in criminal proceeds on nightclub expenses, Lamborghinis, Rolex watches, and other luxury goods.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia described the case as organized crime driven by extreme greed. The ruling came amid data showing crypto industry losses from fraud and hacks reached $482 million in the first quarter of 2026.

Balancer Attacker Swaps 21,000 ETH for 617.43 BTC Over the Past Three Days

A Balancer attacker has swapped 21,000 ETH for 617.43 BTC over the past three days. The transaction was worth about $48.72 million, and the attacker still holds an additional 1,000 ETH, raising the possibility of further selling.

On April 26, PANews cited monitoring by Onchain Lens in reporting the development. According to the report, the attacker continues to hold the remaining 1,000 ETH, currently valued at about $2.32 million.

This update reflects on-chain tracking of hacked funds and could weigh on market sentiment.

Litecoin Recovers From MWEB Zero-Day Exploit Through 13-Block Reorganization

Litecoin said a zero-day vulnerability in MWEB (MimbleWimble Extension Blocks) was exploited, allowing invalid transactions to be confirmed, but the network reversed them through a 13-block reorganization.

According to the source, unpatched nodes could validate invalid transactions as legitimate, and the attacker used this to peg out funds and trigger denial-of-service (DoS) attacks against mining pools.

Litecoin said only the invalid transactions were reversed and valid transactions were not affected. It added that all related vulnerabilities have now been patched and the network is operating normally.

The move was a response to exploitation of the MWEB-related vulnerability.

Claim Emerges That Strategy’s Daily Trading Volume Surpassed Google

On April 26, Bitcoin advocate Pete Rizzo said on X that the daily trading volume of Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin-holding company Strategy had surpassed Google. He said Strategy common stock, MSTR, had become the 16th most actively traded stock in the U.S. market, while STRC was buying in volumes worth billions of dollars on a weekly basis.

According to the source, Rizzo argued that this trend could eventually push Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings to 1 million BTC. However, this remains a market participant’s opinion, and the specific scale and timing of future purchases require further confirmation.

Strategy has previously continued to acquire Bitcoin through capital markets fundraising, including stock issuance and convertible debt. Expanded capital inflows related to Strategy may be interpreted as supportive of expectations for further Bitcoin demand.