Bitcoin options are coming to Nadaq. Here's what it means for you.
Key takeaways
- The new offering, pending CFTC approval, aims to democratize seamless crypto risk management By Omkar Godbole May 25, 2026, 5:56 a.m. 2 min read Make preferred on Nasdaq to offer bitcoin options.
- Securities and Exchange Commission granted Nasdaq PHLX conditional approval to list European-style options under the ticker QBTC.
- Cash-settled means the options are settled in U.S. dollars.
Here's what it means for you. The new offering, pending CFTC approval, aims to democratize seamless crypto risk management By Omkar Godbole May 25, 2026, 5:56 a.m. 2 min read Make preferred on Nasdaq to offer bitcoin options. (Coin Desk Archives)What to know: The SEC has conditionally approved Nasdaq PHLX to list cash-settled, European-style Bitcoin index options under the ticker QBTC, which still await CFTC approval.QBTC options will be settled in U.S. dollars, track the CME CF Bitcoin Real Time Index, and trade on the same Nasdaq platform as major stocks, allowing investors to use existing brokerage accounts without separate derivatives setups.Each QBTC contract represents exposure to 1 bitcoin, far smaller than CME’s 5-bitcoin contracts, aiming to make hedging and volatility trading more accessible to smaller institutions and retail investors.Nasdaq has moved closer to offering cash-settled bitcoin BTC$77,347.69 index options, a move set to democratize crypto risk management and eliminate legacy operational barriers.
Last week, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission granted Nasdaq PHLX conditional approval to list European-style options under the ticker QBTC. These will be cash-settled, European-style options tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Real Time Index (BRTT).
Cash-settled means the options are settled in U.S. dollars. At expiration, the exchange credits or debits the cash difference between the strike price and the final index value and no actual bitcoin is delivered or received.