Crypto Today: BTC Holds Near $88K, Massive Options Expiry Looms & Stablecoin Payments Expand

1. Bitcoin Holds Its Ground Near $88,000 Amid Options Stress

Bitcoin is trading firmly around $88,000, slipping just modestly as traders prepare for a record $27–28.5 billion BTC & ETH options expiry set for later this week. This looming derivatives event is expected to add volatility, with positions tightly clustered around key strike levels. FX Leaders

2. Stablecoin Settlement Gains Real-World Traction

Shift4 Payments launched a global stablecoin settlement platform for merchants that supports USDC, USDT, EURC, and DAI across several blockchains (Ethereum, Solana, Stellar, Polygon, Base). This move could accelerate crypto’s role in commerce by offering faster, cheaper cross-border and 24/7 settlement rails. Investors

3. Institutional Access Continues to Evolve

Major banks, including JPMorgan Chase, are exploring native crypto trading products for institutional clients. While still early, these efforts point to a growing integration between traditional finance and the digital asset space, including potential spot and derivatives offerings tailored to large clients. Reuters

4. Market Sentiment Remains in “Fear” Zone

The Fear & Greed Index is persistently low, indicating that traders are cautious and risk-off. Even with BTC holding support, this sentiment backdrop — combined with looming expiries — suggests price ranges could stay tight before the year’s end. FX Leaders

Takeaway

Today’s crypto market is anchored by BTC’s resilience around $88K, but traders are bracing for volatile moves ahead due to a historic options expiry. At the same time, real-world adoption narratives — like stablecoin settlement for merchants — are quietly building structural utility. That mix of fear and function makes late-December a critical period to watch.