The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is currently reviewing an application to approve the launch of FLEX equity options on the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF (IBIT). According to a filing submitted on December 2, the BOX Exchange has requested a rule change to allow trading of FLEX IBIT options and is seeking an SEC waiver of the standard 30-day implementation delay in order to protect investor interests and ensure fair competition among exchanges. Nasdaq PHLX and Nasdaq ISE have also submitted similar proposals, with Nasdaq ISE becoming the first exchange approved to list options on IBIT.
The launch of FLEX IBIT options is aimed at helping market participants more effectively manage the volatility risk of the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF, while also increasing liquidity and reducing counterparty credit risk. In addition, BlackRock is awaiting approval for the iShares Bitcoin Advanced Yield ETF (ETHA), which will provide investors with returns from Bitcoin-related strategies. Unlike IBIT, which only tracks the spot price of Bitcoin, ETHA is designed for yield-focused investors seeking more stable returns. The SEC is expected to decide on the listing of options and ETFs for IBIT and ETHA in the first quarter of 2026.
On the market side, Bitcoin has risen nearly 8% in the past 24 hours, currently trading at around $93,243, with a low of $86,404 and a high of $93,542, and trading volume rebounding 10% year-over-year. This price rally has been driven by multiple factors, including Vanguard listing the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF and other crypto funds, liquidity injections following the end of the Fed’s quantitative tightening, and rising market expectations for a possible rate cut in December.
Activity in the derivatives market has also increased significantly. According to CoinGlass data, the total open interest in Bitcoin futures has risen 6% in the past 24 hours, with 4-hour Bitcoin futures open interest on CME and major exchanges up more than 1.8% and 2.77%, respectively. If approved, FLEX options will further enrich ETF derivative tools, enhance institutional investors’ risk management capabilities, and may have a positive impact on market liquidity.
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