Bitcoin Price Faces $11B Options Expiry After FOMC Uncertainty Clears

About $11 billion in Bitcoin options are scheduled to expire on Oct. 30, 2026, after the Federal Reserve kept its target range at 3.75% to 4% on Oct. 28. Two Fed officials dissented and preferred a quarter-point rate increase. Ahead of the expiry, derivatives data showed more call options than puts, with one estimate placing the put-to-call ratio near 0.53; calls generally profit when Bitcoin rises, while puts can hedge against a fall. The $78,000 area was cited as the maximum-pain level, the theoretical settlement price that would minimize aggregate option-holder payouts. The next Federal Open Market Committee meeting is set for Dec. 8-9.