Blockchain.com launched short-term crypto options on October 20, including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH). Eligible users can trade rising or falling prices, but cannot sell the contract before expiry, even when it shows a gain. [1]
The most a buyer can lose on the trade is the amount paid upfront, including the initial fee. That limit comes with a fixed commitment. The current product is also unavailable to U.S. residents, according to the company's eligibility list. [2]
View the trade terms
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Choose | Choose a direction, target price and expiry. Initial expiries extend up to one week. |
| Commit | Pay the premium and upfront fee in USDC. No sale, transfer or voluntary early close. |
| Settle | The expiry price determines any payout. A payout can still be smaller than the total cost. |
Eligibility restrictions apply. Exceptional cancellation or termination by the provider is governed by the Options Agreement.
A smaller ticket, a fixed clock
Users select a target price and date; the app converts that view into an option. Trades are paid for in USDC from a Blockchain.com Trading Account. [1]
The current minimum purchase price is $5, before fees. [2] These contracts give exposure to price changes without buying the underlying coin. What matters is the price at expiry: moving beyond the contract's agreed price can produce a payout, but that payout must cover the purchase cost and fees to produce a profit. [3]
Blockchain.com charges an upfront fee and, when the gross payout exceeds the option's purchase price, a settlement fee. Its quoted purchase price also contains a mark-up that is not displayed separately. The support page's example fee rates are illustrations, rather than a universal tariff. [6]
A displayed gain can disappear
“Even if your Option is showing a potential profit before expiry, you cannot close it to lock in that gain.”
Can I close or cancel an Option before expiry? [4]
A market reversal can therefore wipe out a gain shown earlier. Buyers cannot change the agreed price or expiry, transfer the contract to another user, or cancel because they changed their mind. The company retains exceptional cancellation and termination powers for events such as pricing errors or legal restrictions. [4]
The provider matters as much as the prediction
The agreement names Blockchain.com (BVI) II Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, as the other party to every option. It is dealing directly with the buyer, rather than placing an exchange trade on that buyer's behalf. Any payout depends on that company meeting its obligations. [5]
The agreement says this options service is unlicensed and does not carry the regulatory protections of licensed financial services. Licenses held by other companies in the group do not cover it. It also warns that an unpaid settlement claim could be lost if the provider becomes insolvent. [5]
The launch expands the company's trading menu after its earlier introduction of perpetual futures. Its distinctive promise is a simpler way to choose a short-term market view. For eligible buyers, the enduring constraint is just as clear: once purchased, the trade must normally run to its finish. [1]