Bitcoin Weekend Rebound May Mask Structural Risks After Historic Liquidations as Traders Buy Puts

• Market move: Roughly $19–20 billion in liquidations accelerated the crash and reshaped options flows.

• Traders shifted into puts at deep downside strikes, reflecting sustained demand for downside protection.

• Bitcoin +4.4% in 24h; Bittensor led top-50 altcoins with a 42% gain — data from CoinGecko and on‑chain options platforms.

crypto rebound: Weekend recovery masks structural liquidity risks and rising put demand; read detailed analysis and expert quotes. Stay informed with COINOTAG updates.

What is the crypto rebound telling investors?

Crypto rebound over the weekend reflects a short-term repair in prices, not a resolution of underlying fragility. Market data show heavy put-buying and elevated volatility across maturities, indicating traders are hedging for further downside while selectively buying longer-dated upside exposure.

Why are traders buying puts and what does options skew indicate?

Options market metrics reveal a pronounced shift to downside protection. According to on-chain options research, nearly $19–20 billion in liquidations during Friday’s move forced market-makers to withdraw liquidity, amplifying volatility. Traders are concentrating on put strikes around $115,000 and $95,000 for Bitcoin and $4,000 and $3,600 for Ethereum, signaling conviction in downside scenarios. Volatility has risen across short, medium, and long maturities—an indication that participants expect an extended period of market instability rather than a transient spike.

Expert perspective: Sean Dawson, head of research at an on-chain options platform, called Friday’s event “the most dramatic in crypto history” and described the price cascade as a classic liquidity evaporation, where every forced sell produced outsized price impact. Marco Lim, managing director at Solowin Holdings and founding partner of MaiCapital, warned that concentrated liquidity around wrapped tokens and exchange-led stablecoin flows presents a systemic vulnerability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the Black Friday liquidation affect options flow long-term?

The Black Friday liquidation wiped out roughly $19–20 billion in positions, increasing implied volatility and shifting skew toward puts. This changed hedging behavior: short-term sellers retreated while demand for longer-dated calls ticked up, suggesting some traders expect recovery later in the quarter.

Is the crypto market rebound sustainable?

Not necessarily. While prices recovered—Bitcoin rose about 4.4% in 24 hours—market participants remain defensive. Elevated volatility, concentrated exchange liquidity, and ongoing macro risks mean the rebound may be a temporary pause rather than the start of a sustained bull run.

Key Takeaways

• Liquidation scale: Friday’s move erased nearly $19–20 billion in positions, amplifying short-term volatility.
• Options skew shift: Heavy put demand and downside strikes show traders prioritizing protection over aggressive upside exposure.
• Structural risk focus: Concentrated liquidity (e.g., wrapped ETH pools and major exchanges) is the primary systemic vulnerability — monitor exchange flows and on‑chain liquidity.

Conclusion

Weekend price gains do not eliminate the structural challenges facing crypto markets. The crypto rebound appears to be a tactical reprieve while participants reprice risk and buy protection; options flow and liquidity concentration suggest a period of elevated volatility ahead. For investors, the prudent path is to monitor liquidity metrics, skew, and exchange flow data and to maintain disciplined risk management. Published: 2025-10-13 • Updated: 2025-10-13 • Author: COINOTAG.