BTC drops 0.69% over 15 minutes: Options expiration adjustments and risk aversion amplify short-term pressure

On March 26, 2026, from 17:45 to 18:00 (UTC), Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a -0.69% return over 15 minutes, with the price ranging from 68,385.8 to 68,956.2 USDT, and an amplitude of 0.83%. Short-term volatility intensified, market attention quickly increased, showing concentrated downward pressure.

The main driver of this movement was the approaching options expiration. Related position holders adjusted their short-term positions mainly to address the “maximum pain” zone (75,000-80,000 USD). Additionally, the put/call ratio of options slightly increased, triggering some protective actions. Moreover, rising global risk aversion led to short-term capital outflows, further contributing to BTC’s localized decline.

Furthermore, the derivatives market did not show extreme leverage changes, with implied volatility of options remaining around the annual average of 46.35%, and no large-scale liquidations occurred. Some trading platforms saw a slight outflow of BTC holdings during the event (about -0.2%), and large on-chain addresses mainly engaged in routine fund management without significant concentrated selling. ETF fund inflows slowed temporarily. Multiple factors resonated, amplifying short-term volatility.

Current risk factors mainly stem from options expiration effects and macro events. Close monitoring of open interest in derivatives, large on-chain address fund movements, and capital flows on major exchanges is necessary to watch for potential sudden events or liquidity pressures that could further impact prices. It is recommended to pay attention to support levels and macroeconomic trends, and stay updated with the latest market developments.