Bitcoin pinned below $74K as $9B options expiry looms — brace for a crypto pullback
Bitcoin is stuck below $74,000 as a massive $9 billion options expiry hits Friday, with bearish traders in control. Heavy selling from Bitcoin ETFs and corporate holders is adding downward pressure, and the same weakness is dragging down altcoins like Solana.
Idea
A $9 billion Bitcoin options expiry is settling Friday, and the data shows bears hold the advantage — meaning the bets are weighted toward lower prices. When options expiries this large skew bearish, market makers are forced to sell as they hedge, pushing prices down further. On top of that, Bitcoin ETFs are seeing heavy outflows and some corporate holders are selling. Bitcoin has failed to break above $74,000 repeatedly, which usually means sellers are defending that level. Solana is even weaker — its futures bets dropped 30% in May — so altcoins could fall faster than Bitcoin if the sell-off accelerates.