The Options Insider Radio Network

The futures options markets are digesting a turbulent Fed week, and there's no shortage of action across equities, energy and metals. On this episode of This Week in Futures Options, host Mark Longo is joined by Scott Bauer of Prosper Trading Academy to break down the latest activity across CME Group's futures options markets. They examine the post-Fed swings in Nasdaq and E-mini S&P 500 options, including the continued dominance of short-dated trading and unusually heavy put activity across the equity index complex. Then it's off to crude oil, where elevated volatility, changing skew and active downside strikes are creating some intriguing setups. The conversation also turns to copper's continued rally and growing upside options interest, plus the latest action in gold following the Fed decision. Along the way, Mark and Scott discuss gamma exposure and dealer positioning, the popularity of 0DTE options, futures trading in the CME Challenge, and whether traditional relationships between gold, equities and crypto are beginning to shift.

A milestone episode calls for a little nostalgia, a little market chaos, and plenty of options talk. On the 1500th episode of The Option Block, Mark Longo is joined by "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from The Option Block and Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz from Cboe to look back at the remarkable run of the show while breaking down the latest action across the options markets. The crew discusses the market reaction following the latest Fed decision, strength in technology stocks, moves in VIX and volatility, and the options activity lighting up names including Nvidia, Tesla, AMD, Micron, Intel, Apple and more. Then it's time to get weird in the Odd Block with unusual options activity in Ouster (OUST), 3D Systems (DDD) and Ginkgo Bioworks (DNA), along with a massive VIX options trade that catches the panel's attention. Plus, the guys revisit memories from 1500 episodes of The Option Block, hear from longtime listeners who have been around since the iPod days, and discuss what they'll be watching next across equities, bonds, oil, volatility and the broader options markets. It's a special 1500th trip Around the Block.

Energy markets take center stage as crude oil, heating oil and RBOB grapple with major supply disruptions, refining constraints and an increasingly complicated geopolitical backdrop. On this episode of The Futures Rundown, Mark Longo welcomes back Brian Pieri, founder of Energy Rogue, for a deep dive into the wild action across the energy complex. Brian breaks down the disconnect between the physical and financial crude oil markets and explains why today's oil market feels like a volatile game of volleyball — with traders trying to keep crude in the air while waiting to see who eventually spikes it. They also explore the surge in heating oil and diesel, refining bottlenecks, RBOB, natural gas seasonality, LNG exports and the growing impact of AI-driven electricity demand. Plus, Mark and Brian run through the biggest weekly and year-to-date movers across futures, including energy, metals, agriculture and crypto. Then it's time for the Futures Free-for-All, with listener questions on USO vs. XLE, the challenges of futures-based energy ETFs, memories of crude oil's historic plunge below zero in 2020, and the outlook for nuclear power and uranium.

Yacht rock piracy meets options strategy on this episode of Options Boot Camp. Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli break down Dan's "net zero roll" for cash-secured puts, including how traders can roll down and out while targeting little or no net premium on the adjustment. They also tackle a fresh batch of listener questions covering how implied volatility can help determine whether to buy calls, sell puts or use call spreads; how much open interest and volume really matter when selecting a strike; what steep put skew can reveal when VIX isn't moving; and whether traders put too much emphasis on dealer gamma positioning. Plus, the Boot Camp crew digs into pin risk in the era of daily and short-dated expirations, looks at which options strategies might deserve the full book treatment, checks in on the latest 0DTE butterfly poll results and, naturally, investigates Dan's alleged yacht rock piracy on the Chicago River.

Fed Day brought plenty of anticipation but relatively subdued options volume as traders waited for the latest move from the Federal Reserve. On this episode of The Hot Options Report, we break down the names dominating the options tape, with Nvidia (NVDA) once again leading the market in contract volume. We also dig into heavy activity in Tesla (TSLA), Apple (AAPL), Intel (INTC), Amazon (AMZN), Micron (MU), Meta (META), AMD and Robinhood (HOOD). Plus, we look at notable million-dollar options trades in Circle (CRCL), Robinhood and Credo Technology (CRDO) and examine a Fed Day filled with intraday spikes, quick reversals and short-dated options that briefly moved into the money before fading. For more options activity and unusual options data, visit TheHotOptionsReport.com.

A lighter day in the options market still delivered plenty of action across some of the biggest names on the tape. On this episode of The Hot Options Report, Mark Longo breaks down the most active options in Nvidia (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), Apple (AAPL), SpaceX, Meta (META), Amazon (AMZN), Intel (INTC), Micron (MU), AMD and Palantir (PLTR). We look at the calls attracting attention, where traders appear to be buying versus selling, and which short-dated strikes could make things interesting heading into expiration. Plus, Mark heads to the dark side with the MA50 Minus scan on TheHotOptionsReport.com, highlighting stocks and ETFs that have fallen sharply below their 50-day moving averages. For more options data, go to TheHotOptionsReport.com.

Bill Ulivieri of Cenacle Capital Management returns to The Crypto Rundown — and after calling the Bitcoin bottom on his last appearance, he's feeling even more bullish about what comes next. Mark Longo and Bill explore why Bitcoin could be sitting on a "coiled spring of energy," the latest action in IBIT and MSTR options, and whether Strategy still has more room to run. They also dig into the outlook for Ethereum, Solana and XRP, the surprising rise of Zcash, and the latest activity in ETHA, BMNR, Circle and PURR. Plus, Bill explains why the convergence of crypto, blockchain and agentic AI could dramatically reshape trading, and highlights Arbitrum and Uniswap as two names worth watching as Robinhood pushes deeper into blockchain and DeFi.

The options market kicked off the week with plenty of action as traders navigated sharp moves across some of the biggest names on the tape. On this episode of The Hot Options Report, we break down the most active options in Nvidia (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), Apple (AAPL), Meta (META), Micron (MU), Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), Intel (INTC) and Alphabet (GOOGL). Nvidia once again claims the top spot in overall options volume, while Tesla comes under pressure and Meta rallies despite concerns about a potential AI slowdown. We also head into the 1K Oddballs scan for unusual options activity in Amazon, TLT, Hecla Mining (HL) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH). For more options data and unusual activity, visit TheHotOptionsReport.com.

Cheap calls are on the menu as Mark Longo, Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi, and Mike "Uncle Mike" Tosaw dive into unusual options activity in Dave & Buster's (PLAY) and Banco Bradesco (BBD). Is somebody betting on a turnaround in PLAY ahead of earnings? And when it comes to these cheap stocks, are you better off buying the calls or just owning the shares? The crew also breaks down a surprisingly resilient market as Treasury yields climb and traders brace for the Fed. Plus, they examine heavy VIX options activity and the latest options action in NVDA, AAPL, TSLA, META, GOOGL, INTC, MSFT, AMZN and MU. Then Uncle Mike heads to the Strategy Block to explore using covered calls on bond ETFs like IEF to potentially generate additional income.

Apple takes the crown as options activity heats up to close out the trading week. On this episode of The Hot Options Report, we break down the most active names across the options market, with Apple surging to the top of the leaderboard as traders continue to pile into the stock. Nvidia and Tesla remain options powerhouses, while Oracle stays firmly in the game following its wild post-earnings ride. We also dig into unusual and notable options activity in SpaceX, Micron, Meta, Intel, Strategy and Amazon, along with some fascinating expiration-day trades that looked like winners intraday before taking a very different turn by the closing bell. For more options data, scans and analysis, visit TheHotOptionsReport.com.

Volatility wakes up from its late-summer slumber on this episode of Volatility Views as Mark Longo and Russell Rhoads break down a surprisingly active stretch across the volatility markets. VIX briefly pushed above 18 before retreating, VIX options volume came roaring back, traders targeted everything from near-term puts to triple-digit VIX calls, and the volatility futures curve offered some interesting clues about what the market expects next. Plus, Russell breaks down some fascinating VIX weekly trades, including one that landed almost perfectly at settlement, we examine the latest action in SVIX, UVIX, UVXY and VXX, and Mark celebrates a rare two-week Crystal Ball bullseye after nearly nailing the VIX level from the previous episode.

Single stock futures are back—and this time the market may be ready for them. On this episode of This Week in Futures Options, Mark Longo welcomes Tim McCourt, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Equity, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group, for a deep dive into the return of single stock futures. They discuss what makes this new generation of single stock futures different, the role of the Magnificent Seven, growing retail participation, cash settlement, capital efficiency and the push toward nearly around-the-clock equity trading. Tim also breaks down the early response to CME Group's standard and micro single stock futures, how traders are using them around earnings, and whether options on single stock futures could eventually be next. Plus, we analyze the latest action across the futures options markets, including energy, metals, crypto and a closer look at some interesting Nasdaq options activity.

FLEX mysteries, cyber attacks and Romanian AI are lighting up the latest Option Block. On this episode, Mark Longo is joined by Uncle Mike Tosaw and Cboe's Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz to break down the latest action across the options market. The crew digs into a mysterious burst of near-dated FLEX options activity in Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ), unusual call buying in Romanian AI software name UiPath (PATH), and a massive upside options trade in Boston Scientific (BSX) following its cyberattack woes. Plus, we examine Apple's big move following its foldable iPhone news, unusual bullish AAPL options activity, rising volatility in VIX and VVIX, the latest action in SPX, IWM and QQQ, and what traders should be watching heading into inflation data and the next Fed meeting.

FLEX mysteries, cyber attacks and Romanian AI are lighting up the latest Option Block. On this episode, Mark Longo is joined by Uncle Mike Tosaw and Cboe's Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz to break down the latest action across the options market. The crew digs into a mysterious burst of near-dated FLEX options activity in Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ), unusual call buying in Romanian AI software name UiPath (PATH), and a massive upside options trade in Boston Scientific (BSX) following its cyberattack woes. Plus, we examine Apple's big move following its foldable iPhone news, unusual bullish AAPL options activity, rising volatility in VIX and VVIX, the latest action in SPX, IWM and QQQ, and what traders should be watching heading into inflation data and the next Fed meeting.

Apple keeps ripping, Nvidia keeps slipping and Oracle pulls an after-hours flip. On this episode of The Hot Options Report, we break down the most active and unusual options trades lighting up the market, including heavy action in AAPL, NVDA and ORCL. We also dig into notable options activity in Tesla, Meta, Micron, Alphabet, Palantir, Intel, SpaceX and more. Which traders are buying the move, which are selling premium, and where are options players drawing their lines in the sand? For more options data and to run your own scans, visit TheHotOptionsReport.com.

Coffee is dropping, crude is climbing and somewhere a confused barista is being asked to explain why your latte isn't getting any cheaper. On this episode of The Futures Rundown, Mark Longo is joined by Dan Gramza of Gramza Capital Management to break down another wild week across the futures markets. They explore the selloff in coffee, cocoa, cotton and wheat; the latest moves in crude oil and refined products; renewed action in the yen and euro; growing momentum in copper; surprising weakness in natural gas; and what the upcoming inflation data could mean for markets. Plus, Dan shares what he's watching next in the ags, gold and silver.

The iron butterfly is getting a 0DTE makeover. On this episode of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo is joined by Dan Passarelli and John Kmiecik from Market Taker Mentoring for a deep dive into the growing world of zero-days-to-expiration iron butterflies. Why are traders turning to this classic options strategy for ultra-short-term trades? John breaks down how he approaches 0DTE iron butterflies, including timing his entry after the open, choosing spread widths, setting profit targets, managing risk, and taking advantage of changes in implied volatility and time decay. The crew also explores 0DTE double calendars, whether these strategies could work in single-stock options, managing a calendar that has moved away from its strike, and the most overrated advice in options trading.

Apple's folding phone announcement sends the stock on a wild intraday ride and drives massive options activity. Meanwhile, Meta surges on renewed AI enthusiasm, Tesla takes the top spot on the options volume leaderboard, and NVIDIA finds itself bumped down the rankings. We break down the hottest options action across AAPL, TSLA, META, NVDA, MU, INTC, AMD, AMZN, GOOGL and more on this episode of The Hot Options Report. For more options data and unusual activity, visit TheHotOptionsReport.com.

NVIDIA is back on top as the AI giant helps power another strong day for the market and dominates the options tape. On this episode of The Hot Options Report, we break down the hottest options action across NVDA, TSLA, PLTR, HOOD, MSTR, MU, AVGO, AAPL, PCG and more. From massive short-dated call activity in NVIDIA and aggressive upside positioning in Tesla to big moves in Palantir, Robinhood and Strategy, there was no shortage of action heading into the long holiday weekend. Plus, we check in on the latest retail options activity and highlight some of the most interesting trades hitting the tape. For more options data, visit TheHotOptionsReport.com.

Crude oil is skyrocketing, equities are ripping higher...and apparently the stock market just doesn't care. On this episode of This Week in Futures Options, host Mark Longo is joined by Dan Gramza of Gramza Capital Management to break down a wild week across the futures options markets. They discuss the surprising disconnect between surging WTI crude oil and bullish equity markets, what's really driving the move in energy, and whether anxiety surrounding the Middle East is more important than actual supply concerns. They also explore the latest options activity across the E-mini S&P 500, WTI crude oil, soybeans, silver and gold, including unusual upside call activity, changing volatility and skew, soybean strength, and some eye-opening trades in the precious metals markets. Plus, Dan shares his outlook for equities, crude oil, agriculture and metals as traders head into a critical stretch for the markets.

Forget nonfarms — the options market has plenty of other things to keep traders busy. On this episode of The Option Block, Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw and Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz from Cboe break down a surprisingly strong market rally heading into the jobs report, the latest options volume trends, and some unusual activity lighting up the tape. The crew digs into eye-catching options flow in biotech name Alumis (ALMS) and drone maker Draganfly (DPRO), including some intriguing call activity as both names attract attention. They also examine unusual action in Element Solutions (ESI). Plus, we discuss the latest action in VIX, SPY, IWM and QQQ, a red-hot day for names including Robinhood, Palantir, Tesla and NVIDIA, the continued evolution of binary options and prediction markets, and whether unusually favorable options skew is creating opportunities for investors to hedge some high-flying stocks.

As exchanges and regulators explore extended and round-the-clock trading, what are the practical and regulatory implications? Aniceto (Andy) Solares of OCC's Regulatory Team joins host, Mark Benzaquen, to unpack the push toward near-continuous markets, from Capitol Hill's perspective to what it could mean for investors. 

NVIDIA shrugs off the dog days of summer and takes the options crown once again on this episode of The Hot Options Report. Host Mark Longo breaks down the day's hottest options action, including a nearly six-million-contract session in NVIDIA, heavy trading in Tesla, Apple and Meta, a big post-earnings move in Dell, strength in Micron, and a rough session for Palantir. Plus, we dig into the zero-DTE options action in SPX and XSP and examine some of the most active short-dated calls across the market. For more options data, go to TheHotOptionsReport.com.

The yen makes a surprise return to the futures spotlight as intervention talk heats up and trading activity surges. On this episode of The Futures Rundown, host Mark Longo breaks down the latest action across the futures markets, including the unusual spike in yen futures volume amid renewed speculation about support from the Bank of Japan. We also examine the wild moves in energy, with WTI, Brent and heating oil charging higher, while gold, silver and platinum head in the opposite direction. Plus, we run through the most active futures contracts on the tape and check in on the biggest winners and losers of the year across energy, metals, rates, crypto, volatility and more.

Is the earnings volatility worm finally starting to turn? On this episode of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dig into the latest earnings options data and examine whether the recent run of dominance for premium buyers may finally be losing steam. They break down how actual earnings moves are stacking up against what the options market priced in, whether traders should be rethinking the buy-vs.-sell premium equation, and how Dan approaches earnings trades using time spreads, double calendars and other volatility strategies. Plus, the Boot Camp instructors tackle IV Rank, zero-DTE butterflies, buy writes, options volume by exchange, binary options and prediction markets, and much more.

Is the earnings volatility worm finally starting to turn? On this episode of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dig into the latest earnings options data and examine whether the recent run of dominance for premium buyers may finally be losing steam. They break down how actual earnings moves are stacking up against what the options market priced in, whether traders should be rethinking the buy-vs.-sell premium equation, and how Dan approaches earnings trades using time spreads, double calendars and other volatility strategies. Plus, the Boot Camp instructors tackle IV Rank, zero-DTE butterflies, buy writes, options volume by exchange, binary options and prediction markets, and much more.

GoPro comes roaring back onto the options radar with a massive stock surge, unusual trading activity and plenty of speculation about what could be next for the struggling action-camera company. Is AI—or even a potential defense pivot—helping breathe new life into GPRO? On this episode of The Hot Options Report, we break down the hottest options activity from the first trading day of September, including the eye-opening action in GoPro (GPRO) and a countdown featuring PG&E (PCG), Intel (INTC), Meta (META), SpaceX, Amazon (AMZN), Micron (MU), Tesla (TSLA), Apple (AAPL) and the reigning options-volume king, NVIDIA (NVDA). We also look at where traders were piling into short-dated calls and puts, which trades worked intraday before reversing, and whether option buyers or sellers ended up with the upper hand. For more options data, go to TheHotOptionsReport.com.

We're kicking off the week with drones, drunkards and plenty of unusual options action on this episode of The Option Block. Mark Longo is joined by Andrew "The Rock Lobster" Giovinazzi from Option Pit and "Uncle" Mike Tosaw from St. Charles Wealth Management to break down the latest moves across the options markets. On this episode, we discuss: A red start to the week and what the VIX is telling us The latest action in Tesla, NVIDIA, Apple, Micron and other heavily traded names Some surprising activity in small-cap options A wild surge in Draganfly (DPRO) calls as drone stocks light up the tape Aggressive put buying in Revolve Group (RVLV) The upcoming earnings volatility picture for Dell, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Five Below, Snowflake and Lululemon Using index puts to hedge a stock portfolio Whether low volatility and stocks near their highs make this an attractive time to consider portfolio protection What the crew is watching as we move beyond the dog days of summer Plus, W.C. Fields, Dean Martin, Johnny Carson and a surprisingly difficult round of legendary-drunkard trivia It's another packed episode of options activity, strategy, market analysis and questionable humor on The Option Block.

Options sellers take the wheel on a wild Friday as the final trading day of the week delivers surprisingly heavy options volume for the dog days of summer. On this episode of The Hot Options Report, we break down the most active names across the options market, including NVIDIA (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), SpaceX, Micron (MU), Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), Strategy (MSTR) and Intel (INTC). NVIDIA once again takes the options volume crown, but the post-earnings celebration doesn't last long as the stock reverses sharply after an early rally. We also examine a recurring theme across the tape: short-dated options that moved into the money during the session only to finish worthless at expiration. Go to TheHotOptionsReport.com for more options data.

The theta clock is ticking on the volatility markets! On this episode of Volatility Views, Mark Longo is joined by Brian Overby from OptionsPlaybook.com and Henry Schwartz from Cboe for a deep dive into a surprisingly quiet volatility landscape. With VIX dipping into the 14 handle and VVIX hovering near unusually low levels, has volatility simply gone to sleep for the dog days of summer—or is premium getting too cheap to ignore? The crew discusses whether this is an attractive time to buy volatility, why VIX spikes have become increasingly difficult to monetize, and how traders can potentially take advantage when those brief volatility explosions finally arrive. They also break down the VIX futures term structure, some massive VIX options positions and intriguing upside trades, plus the latest action in SVIX, UVIX, UVXY and VXX. Brian also shares an interesting options strategy in SpaceX before the crew heads into the Crystal Ball to forecast where VIX might be headed next. And somewhere along the way, Henry introduces what may be the next must-have accessory for every options trader—the Theta Clock.

NVIDIA takes center stage on this episode of The Hot Options Report following blockbuster earnings and a surge in options activity. Mark Longo breaks down the hottest names and most active options trades across the market, including massive volume in NVDA, another busy session for Tesla, heavy short-dated call activity in Apple, bullish action in Intel and Palantir, and an enormous options roll in PG&E. We also check in on Micron, Amazon and more while highlighting the strikes, expirations and unusual flows driving the options market. Go to TheHotOptionsReport.com to run your own options reports.

On this episode of This Week in Futures Options, Mark Longo breaks down a surprisingly active week across the CME Group markets, with the Nasdaq and agricultural products taking center stage. We kick things off with the Movers & Shakers Report, including big moves in wheat, corn, natural gas and Bitcoin, along with weakness across crude oil, heating oil and platinum. Then we turn to the Nasdaq following NVIDIA earnings, where options activity is heating up across short-dated strikes as traders position for the next move in tech. We examine the most active calls and puts, zero-day activity, downside positioning and some intriguing longer-dated upside action. From there, it's time to get our hands dirty in the ag markets, where corn is coming off three-year highs amid massive options volume. We break down what's driving the move, the dramatic upside skew, volatility across the term structure and the strikes attracting the most attention. Finally, we head into Chicago wheat, where another strong rally is generating interesting options activity, aggressive call skew and some notable call spreads and ratio spreads.

Nvidia delivers and the options market responds! On this episode of The Option Block, Mark Longo, Uncle Mike Tosaw and Henry "The Flowmaster" Schwartz from Cboe break down the latest action across the options markets. The crew digs into Nvidia's big post-earnings move and what it means for the broader AI trade, while VIX slides back below 15 and volatility continues to get crushed. They also explore whether historically inexpensive optionality makes this an interesting time to hedge portfolios. Then it's off to the unusual options activity, including some intriguing flow in nuclear reactor play X-energy (XE), speculative activity in Richtech Robotics (RR), and longer-dated call action in AvePoint (AVPT). The crew also examines heavy VIX call activity, a massive PCG options roll, and plenty more from across the market. Plus, the show pays tribute—with a little Option Block humor—to the voice behind Optimus Prime.

On this episode of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli tackle the challenges and opportunities of trading options in a low-volatility market. Should you still be selling premium when volatility is cheap, or does low vol make buying options more attractive? Are single-stock options offering better opportunities than index options in the current dispersion environment? The Boot Camp instructors break down how they're approaching these markets and where they're still finding opportunities. Then they examine the strange recent VIX glitch that briefly sent the cash index soaring while VIX futures barely moved. What caused it? Could traders actually take advantage of it? And could resting "wishlist" orders help you capitalize when markets briefly get out of line? Plus, the instructors discuss the biggest forces driving the market right now, revisit perpetual futures, and share an update on the potential Options Boot Camp reboot. Topics include: Trading options in a low-volatility environment Buying options vs. selling premium when volatility is cheap Single-stock options vs. index options Dispersion and individual-stock volatility The mysterious VIX glitch Why VIX futures didn't follow the cash spike Using resting "wishlist" orders for unusual market moves Perpetual futures and market liquidity What's driving the market right now

Rates are back on the menu, and this time we're diving deep into the wild world of European rates options. Mark Longo is joined by Rex Jones from Eurex and veteran trader and market educator Dan Gramza to explore the European fixed income options landscape—from Bund, Bobl and Schatz options to Buxl, OAT and BTP options. The crew breaks down how European rates markets differ from their U.S. counterparts, where volatility is showing up across the yield curve, and how traders are approaching today's lower-volatility environment. They also discuss short strangles, call and put spreads, condors and other options strategies; country-versus-country opportunities; sovereign spread risk; institutional execution and high-touch trading; Eurex Passive Liquidity Protection; and what could wake up European rates volatility heading into the fall. Plus, Dan explains why low volatility doesn't automatically mean it's time to buy options and shares what he looks for before putting on his preferred three-week short strangle.

Was this the greatest week in crypto history? On this episode of The Crypto Rundown, host Mark Longo is joined by Pat Wood, President and CEO of DelphX Capital Markets, to break down an explosive week across the cryptocurrency markets. Bitcoin comes roaring back with a massive rally and surging ETF inflows, while activity and volatility heat up in IBIT and MSTR. We examine what the move means for Bitcoin traders, whether this rally has staying power, and why Pat believes the next generation of digital asset treasuries needs to think beyond simply buying and holding. Then we venture into the Altcoin Universe, where the rally is spreading fast. Ethereum finally wakes up, Solana shows signs of life, XRP surges, and HYPE/Hyperliquid continues to generate serious buzz. We also examine the wild options activity in ETHA, BMNR, Circle (CRCL), and PUR, including the rush for upside exposure as crypto traders embrace the rally. Plus, we discuss: Bitcoin's monster weekly rally and whether it can continue The resurgence in IBIT options volume and volatility MSTR, Michael Saylor and the future of digital asset treasury strategies Using covered calls and collars in crypto Ethereum's dramatic comeback The latest action in Solana, XRP, Dogecoin and other altcoins The growing excitement surrounding Hyperliquid and HYPE Why crypto market structure may be entering a new phase

On this episode of The Option Block, we're feeling the HYPE as we break down the latest action across the options markets. We discuss the renewed surge in crypto and HYPE, what the market is watching ahead of NVIDIA earnings, and some unusual upside activity in VIX options. Then we head into the Odd Block for a radioactive blast from the past as Denison Mines (DNN) returns to the spotlight amid renewed interest in uranium and nuclear stocks. Is aggressive call buying a sign that the uranium bulls are getting ready for another run? Uncle Mike also explores potential options-based alternatives for the conservative portion of a portfolio, including protective puts and collars, before we wrap things up with what the panel is watching for the rest of the week. Plus: Bitcoin, MSTR, SMR, earnings volatility, fixed income alternatives, geopolitical uncertainty…and, naturally, yurts. Featuring: Mark Longo, Mike Tosaw and Andrew Giovinazzi.

NVIDIA takes the options crown as a rough Monday leaves call buyers feeling the heat. On this episode of The Hot Options Report, we break down the most active names across the options market, including NVIDIA, Tesla, Apple, Micron, Intel, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet and Microsoft. With NVIDIA earnings looming, NVDA leads the options volume charts while the stock pulls back and its hot 210 calls ultimately expire worthless. Tesla also slides as its heavily traded 360 calls finish out of the money, while Micron takes another wild ride and Apple, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet and Microsoft all contribute to a recurring theme: same-day calls that offered brief opportunities before fading into the close. Plus, we check out unusual options activity in IBIT, Walmart and Snap on the Little Sweeps scan. Which options were traders buying and selling? Where did the biggest volume hit? And who came out ahead on a challenging day for call buyers? Find out on this episode of The Hot Options Report. Go to TheHotOptionsReport.com to run your own options reports.

It may have been a quiet Friday in the dog days of summer, but options traders were still making some big bets. On this episode of The Hot Options Report, we break down the most active names and notable trades lighting up the options tape, including Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, SpaceX, Strategy, Palantir, Micron, Amazon, Robinhood and SoFi. We also head into the 10K Club to uncover some of the biggest options trades of the day in Chevron, XLF, Warner Bros. Discovery and more. Plus, we look at a recurring theme across the market: aggressive short-dated call buyers who had opportunities to cash in during the session—but in many cases watched those options ultimately expire worthless. Go to TheHotOptionsReport.com to run your own options reports.

On this episode of Volatility Views, host Mark Longo is joined by Russell Rhoads, Mark Sebastian, and Jim Carroll to ask whether the volatility market is practically daring traders to sell vol. The crew breaks down a wild week featuring Treasury intervention, Scott Bessent's message to the bond market, and the growing debate over whether a "Bessent put" is helping keep volatility contained. With VIX struggling to gain much traction and the VIX futures curve sitting in healthy contango, is the market signaling that short vol is still the place to be—or is complacency setting traders up for a surprise? They also dig into the latest VIX options activity, including massive VIX rolls, heavy upside call trading, the continuing fascination with cheap VIX puts, and some unusual trades way out on the volatility curve. Plus, the team checks in on SVIX, UVIX, UVXY and VXX, examine an earnings season where realized moves have finally fallen short of expectations, and look ahead to Nvidia and the potential volatility catalysts waiting around the corner.

It's Intervention Week on This Week in Futures Options as markets react to a wild mix of policy moves, geopolitical risk and shifting expectations across the futures landscape. Host Mark Longo is joined by Bobby Iaccino, Co-Founder and Chief Market Strategist at Path Trading Partners, to break down the latest action in futures and options across gold, silver, equities, crude oil, natural gas and more. On this episode, we discuss: The intervention-fueled moves shaking up markets Gold's latest rally and heavy call activity Whether gold could have significantly more upside ahead Why silver remains one of the trickiest markets to trade Growing downside hedging in the S&P 500 Whether "buy the dip" has fundamentally changed bear markets AI spending, the Fed and geopolitical risk as market catalysts Why crude oil may not be the biggest problem in energy right now The growing importance of diesel and refinery capacity What the options market is signaling about WTI crude Natural gas seasonality and a surge in options activity The Nasdaq selloff and whether traders are already positioning for more downside Why Jackson Hole could provide the market's next major catalyst Plus, we examine the hottest options activity across CME Group's futures markets and discuss where volatility and skew may be pointing next.

Walmart earnings helped spook the broader market on a wild Thursday, sending shares lower and putting short-dated puts in the options spotlight. On this episode of The Hot Options Report, we break down the most active names and hottest options trades across the market, including Walmart (WMT), Moderna (MRNA), Micron (MU), Intel (INTC), Strategy (MSTR), Apple (AAPL), SpaceX, Tesla (TSLA) and NVIDIA (NVDA).