Our weekly crypto derivatives analytics report delves into macro events; the current state of crypto and trading signals from spot trading volume; and futures, options and perpetual contracts.

After mostly trading sideways at the end of April 2025, a US-UK trade deal sparked a crypto rally. BTC surged past $100K for the first time since February, but it’s ETH's performance that captured the derivatives market's attention. 

A 23% increase in ETH's spot price led to an inverted term structure and a spike in front-end volatility. The put/call skew for ETH shifted from a bearish bias to a nearly 10% skew toward OTM calls. Other sentiment indicators, such as perp funding rates and futures yield, also supported the rally. In contrast, while BTC's funding rates and skew have increased, its implied volatility remains low at 40%, over 30 points below ETH's 7-day implied volatility.

Please check out the report’s highlights.

ETH’s record performance since 2021 was propelled by positive term structure

ETH has significantly outperformed BTC and the top 10 cryptocurrencies, marking its largest single-day gain since May 2021. The options market has reflected this enthusiasm, with implied volatility for short tenors rising sharply and inverting ETH’s term structure, thus contrasting with BTC's muted, positively sloped structure. The 7-day tenor for ETH is now trading at a 33-point premium over that for BTC. 

While puts dominate BTC's open interest, ETH is seeing the opposite trend. On May 8, 2025, options volumes surged over $120M, more than double the typical monthly volume, with $60M more in calls than puts. ETH now boasts a positive futures curve and funding rates, as well as a strong skew toward OTM calls.

ETH sees exceptionally bullish put/call skew

ETH's substantial outperformance in the current crypto rally has led to bullish sentiment in its derivatives markets. Funding rates have surged, futures yields are strongly positive and the put/call skew has shifted significantly toward OTM calls, now close to 10%. This starkly contrasts with early April, when the skew was 20% toward OTM puts. Although ETH has underperformed (relative to BTC and other "ETH killers"), it has rebounded in this rally, with the ETH/BTC ratio rising after spending most of the year declining.

Open interest for Bitcoin options increased, with implied volatility remaining suppressed

The announcement of the new US administration's first trade deal, nearly 30 days into Trump's 90-day tariff pause, jolted crypto markets, pushing BTC back up above $100K. Surprisingly, implied volatility has remained suppressed, failing to invert BTC's term structure, with front-end volatility trading at around an 18-month low of 35-40%. On May 8, 2025, options volumes surged, with call volume reaching $189M, reversing last week's trend of higher put volumes. Meanwhile, open interest rose steadily to exceed $300M, the highest level this month, but remains significantly larger for puts than for calls despite the price increase.

Advanced

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Bybit X Block Scholes crypto derivatives analytics report (May 9, 2025): Ether’s put/call skew turns remarkably more bullish than Bitcoin’s

This article explores how Sign works, its flagship products (such as TokenTable, SignPass and EthSign), its native token (SIGN) and how to trade SIGN on Bybit.

Sign is an omnichain attestation infrastructure that empowers users and developers to verify real-world claims on-chain. Built for a more transparent and decentralized future, it eliminates the need to “just trust” and enables everyone to verify with cryptographic proof.

This article explores how Sign works, its flagship products (such as TokenTable and EthSign), its native token (SIGN) and how to trade SIGN on Bybit.

 is an omnichain attestation protocol designed to make it easy for anyone to verify the authenticity of any claim — 

. Whether it’s a document, credential or user identity, Sign transforms traditional trust models into verifiable, cryptographic attestations. 

Sign’s mission is to replace outdated, opaque validation systems with transparent, 

 proof — enabling a future where “verify” replaces “trust.” Through tools like schema registries and digital signatures, Sign empowers users to bring accountability and integrity to digital interactions.

Sign is developed by the team behind EthSign, a 

-native e-signature and agreement platform. Its core team brings deep experience in 

 development and cross-chain integrations.

The project is backed by top-tier investors, including Sequoia Capital China (now known as HongShan Capital Group), Mirana Ventures, HashKey Capital and Hack VC.

This strategic funding positions Sign as a foundational layer in the web3 infrastructure stack.

Sign allows users to create attestations — cryptographically signed statements that prove the validity of claims, such as credentials, achievements or actions. These digital proofs can be verified by anyone at any time, making them tamperproof and transparent.

Sign’s key technical elements include a schema registry that ensures consistent data formatting, digital signatures proving authenticity, and on- and off-chain attestations with support for revocation or updates

This system acts like a programmable layer for web3, bringing a new level of trust to identity, credentials and data exchange.

TokenTable is Sign’s flagship token distribution platform. It helps projects unlock, distribute and manage tokens transparently and securely at scale.

It uses Sign’s attestation engine to verify token unlocks, 

 and vesting schedules, ensuring traceable, auditable token flows.

SignPass is a blockchain-based identity solution that brings real-world credentials on-chain. One notable implementation is the Sierra Leone PR Card, used for the world’s first government-approved on-chain permanent residency program.

SignPass offers encrypted on-chain records for easy 

 verification, physical ID issuance for daily identity use and streamlined digital application systems for cross-border access.

It showcases the way blockchain can modernize public sector services worldwide.

EthSign is a decentralized contract signing platform that lets users create, sign and store legally binding agreements directly on-chain. It removes intermediaries and ensures documents are immutable and accessible.

EthSign reinforces Sign’s mission by bringing traditional documentation into the realm of verifiable web3 attestations.

The SIGN token is the native utility token powering the Sign ecosystem. It’s used for:

The total supply is capped at 10 billion SIGN, with 1.2 billion tokens in circulation. While the fully diluted valuation (FDV) sits above $746 million as of May 7, the circulating market cap is approximately $89.6 million. SIGN continues to gain traction across exchanges and developer networks.

SIGN is available for trading on Bybit via Spot trading and as a USDT Perpetual contract. Bybit offers up to 75x leverage for the SIGNUSDT Perpetual contract and supports secure, high-liquidity spot trading.

Start exploring the future of attestations with SIGN on Bybit today.

Intermediate

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Sign (SIGN): Web3 protocol for trustless attestation

Compliant trading means following platform rules and avoiding manipulative behavior. Learn more about how you can trade responsibly and compliantly on Bybit.

Crypto trading has come a long way from what used to be the domain of institutional players, and is now open to almost anyone with an internet connection. It’s easier than ever to buy and sell digital assets, try new strategies or build a portfolio from scratch all within minutes.

But with that level of access comes responsibility. As more people join the market, the need for fairness and accountability has become even more important. This isn’t just about price charts or profits — it’s about keeping the playing field level for everyone involved.

At Bybit, we take that responsibility seriously. We're here to offer the tools, safeguards and education you need to help you trade responsibly and to protect the platform from misuse.

This article describes what it actually means to trade compliantly, why it matters — and what can happen if things go off course.

Compliant trading means playing fair, following the platform’s rules, staying within the boundaries of what’s allowed and avoiding anything that could unfairly affect the market.

It’s not about avoiding risk: it’s about knowing what you’re doing, using official tools the right way and making sure your trades aren’t causing harm to yourself or others.

In short, compliant traders don’t just focus on their P&L — they understand that how they conduct themselves while trading matters. Responsible trading protects their accounts, keeps the platform stable and builds long-term credibility in the crypto ecosystem.

Why does responsible and compliant trading matter?

It’s easy to assume that compliance is only something platforms or regulators need to worry about. But in reality, every trader plays a part. When someone attempts to exploit the system — for example, by coordinating mass trades through off-platform channels — the consequences can ripple across the entire market.

In extreme cases, irresponsible trading behavior can:

And if the trades in question are linked to coordinated action, use of fake accounts or external bots? That opens the door to account freezes, compliance reviews and, in some cases, permanent suspension.

Bybit has a responsibility to act when the system is being abused — not just for legal reasons, but in order to protect honest traders.

Common examples of noncompliant or risky behavior

Some traders join Telegram groups or online communities in which KOLs (key opinion leaders) give out coordinated trading instructions (for example, “Buy token A now, sell it in an hour”). This practice isn’t just risky: it often involves a small number of insiders benefiting while the majority end up with losses.

When many people follow the same instruction all at once, it can artificially inflate the price of a low-liquidity token. The KOLs then exit at the top —while others are left with falling prices and unexpected liquidations.

Such a textbook case of market manipulation violates our Terms of Service and, depending upon jurisdiction, could violate financial laws.

Using bots or unverified trading strategies

Some Telegram groups may seem convincing, but trades coordinated off-platform are often unverified and may serve someone else’s agenda. 

 programmed to front-run trades, mimic pump-and-dump strategies or follow unverified signals can trigger compliance red flags and may lead to account restrictions.

Bybit does not support trading bots from unverified sources. They can also trigger flags in our monitoring systems, which may result in account suspension.

Using another person’s account or sharing login credentials — even if it’s with a family member — goes against both Bybit’s policies and global 

(AML) rules. It also opens the door to fraud, loss of funds and irreversible penalties.

Tips for responsible and compliant trading on Bybit

The good news is that there’s a better way to trade — responsibly, safely and with confidence, starting with the right tools, mindset and habits.

Use copy trading the way it’s meant to be used

 is one of Bybit’s most trusted features, and for good reason. It gives users access to professional traders’ strategies while maintaining full transparency. However, it only works if you follow verified 

These traders have been vetted and their stats are fully visible. You can view their P&L, risk settings and trade history. Bybit also provides built-in tools, such as 

 and staking products allow you to earn passive yield with minimal effort. These products are fully backed by our infrastructure and undergo regular audits, and are a compliant way to generate returns without chasing risky trades.

No matter how convincing a Telegram group may sound, remember that trades executed outside of regulated channels are unverified and often unaccountable. They may be coordinated for someone else’s gain.

 offers a wide range of articles and tutorials, covering everything from indicators and oscillators to advanced portfolio strategies. Before following any external signal, it’s worth spending 10 minutes to understand the rationale behind it. In trading, knowledge is your best form of compliance. Before you enter any position, ensure that you fully understand the asset you're trading, the current market conditions and the risks involved.

, never share your login credentials, and always enable two-factor (2FA) authentication. In addition, all trading activity should originate from your own account and remain under your own control.

Bybit’s systems are designed to flag irregular behavior. If your account is found to be engaging in prohibited activity, even unintentionally, you may be:

We take these steps in order to protect the broader user base and to uphold market fairness.

Being compliant doesn’t mean missing out on opportunity. In fact, it’s the opposite. It means you’re using the platform the way it was designed, with safeguards, transparency and trust. Shortcuts might look appealing in the short term, but they rarely end well. The most successful traders on Bybit are the ones who understand risk, stay informed and trade with integrity.

Take the time to learn and use the tools available to you. And remember: protecting your account starts with choosing how you’ll trade.

Beginner

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How to trade compliantly and responsibly on Bybit

Discover how DAI evolved into USDS under the Sky protocol—unlocking passive rewards, scalability, and a new era of DeFi with Sky Token Rewards.

In September 2024, MakerDAO, a pioneering 

 (DeFi) protocol, underwent a significant transformation by rebranding itself as 

 (SKY). This rebranding was part of the project's comprehensive strategy to enhance scalability, user engagement and regulatory compliance. The major changes that came with the rebranding include token upgrades, whereby the platform’s stablecoin, Dai, was upgraded to USDS (Sky Dollar) while the 

Let’s take a deeper look at USDS and its role on the Sky platform.

USDS (United States Dollar Sky) is the upgraded version of the Dai stablecoin, launched under the newly rebranded Sky protocol (formerly MakerDAO).

 Like DAI, USDS is a decentralized, overcollateralized stablecoin designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the US dollar.

However, USDS significantly improves scalability, user incentives and regulatory positioning, making it a next-generation solution for DeFi.

One of the standout features of USDS as a stablecoin is that it creates 

 opportunities for its investors. With USDS, you can access the Sky Savings Rate (SSR) feature, which allows you to participate in the Sky ecosystem's governance by accumulating Sky Token Rewards (STR) (presented in the form of SKY tokens).

SSR also features a variable automated token accumulation feature, whereby you receive 

 to the SSR program. This passive earning potential offers a major advantage for users seeking yield without complicated 

Sky uses a dynamic model that adds USDS to the SSR pool every few seconds. Over time, the value of sUSDS in the particular pool increases. You can then opt to redeem your sUSDS for USDS, and receive the USDS you initially supplied in addition to the USDS equivalent you’ve accumulated.

These rewards serve as an incentive mechanism, enabling users to passively grow their holdings while supporting the health and stability of the Sky ecosystem.

Upgrading from DAI to USDS is straightforward. Users can visit Sky.money and initiate the upgrade directly through a noncustodial, user-controlled process.

The platform provides a simple interface on which users connect their wallets, exchange their existing DAI for an equal amount of USDS and instantly become eligible for yield accumulation and other Sky ecosystem benefits. There are no fees for the upgrade, and users retain full control of their assets at all times.

USDS isn’t just a stablecoin; it’s an evolution of DeFi money. With passive earning through Sky Token Rewards and a smooth, secure upgrade path, USDS sets a new standard for the way decentralized stablecoins can deliver value and financial empowerment to users worldwide.

USDS and DAI are both decentralized stablecoins originally developed under the MakerDAO ecosystem (now Sky). While they share the same core principle — overcollateralization and the maintenance of a 1:1 peg with the US dollar — USDS represents a major evolution of DAI, introducing additional incentives designed to enhance user experience, scalability and regulatory alignment.

DAI has long been a favorite in the DeFi ecosystem, allowing users to generate stablecoins by locking up crypto collateral such as 

. DAI features a savings program, the DAI Savings Rate (DSR), from which people can earn 

 (sDAI). While the DSR program is still running, upgrading to USDS lets you earn two types of rewards through the SSR program: sUSDS tokens and Sky Token Rewards (STRs).

In addition, USDS is well positioned to meet regulatory requirements, aiming for broader mainstream adoption while maintaining decentralization.

Below is a comparison table between DAI and USDS:

USDS is backed by collateral that’s deposited in Sky vaults by borrowers. In return, the reserves for these vaults are backed by three main assets: 

With a market cap of over $8 billion, USDS is the currently third-largest stablecoin after 

 is more complex than that of typical stablecoins, as it includes liquidation mechanisms and a peg-stability module. However, an audit of USDS’s smart contract in September 2024 didn’t report any significant risks with the stablecoin. Notably, S&P Global Ratings 

 of 4 out of 5, indicating constrained ability to maintain its peg under certain conditions. 

​Additionally, the proposal to include a freeze function for USDS, which bestows upon the Sky protocol the power to halt USDS transfers between wallets, has sparked heated discussions within the community, highlighting the ongoing conundrum of balancing security measures with principles of decentralization.

The evolution of DAI to USDS marks a major leap forward for DeFi. By combining DAI's trusted and overcollateralized model with additional passive earning opportunities through Sky Token Rewards, USDS empowers users to enjoy greater financial benefits with less complexity.

The streamlined upgrade process and stronger regulatory positioning set the stage for broader adoption and a more resilient future. As Sky continues to build, USDS represents more than just a stablecoin — it’s the foundation of an open, accessible and more rewarding financial ecosystem for everyone.

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From DAI to USDS: Unlocking an open Sky for a more rewarding future

Crypto

Getting crypto for free may sound too good to be true, but you can...if you do something in return! Read all about crypto faucets here.

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Did you know that back in 2010, you could get 5 BTC for free? As much as we might not believe it, it’s true! Gavin Andresen, often known as the face of 

back in June 2010, giving users 5 BTC on a first-come, first-served basis.  

A crypto faucet is a website or an application that rewards you with cryptocurrencies in return for completing relatively straightforward, non-labor-intensive tasks, such as completing a captcha, viewing ads, or completing surveys. 

This guide will discuss crypto faucets, their relevance in today’s world, and the different types of crypto faucets available today. 

A crypto faucet rewards you with crypto for completing simple tasks. The reward mechanism is like a “leaking faucet,” dripping crypto after every successful task completion. 

”? Well, yes! The only input commodity you need in order to get free crypto out of a crypto faucet is 

 to complete different tasks. However, don’t get your hopes too high, as the rewards incurred are far less than you might expect. 

You only get a few cents every hour, and even with the highest paying crypto faucets, you can get only 30 cents an hour — if you’re lucky. Just as a leaking faucet drips successive water drops, a crypto faucet drips tiny amounts of crypto. In a typical Bitcoin faucet, the rewards get disbursed in satoshis, the smallest bitcoin unit, equivalent to 1/100 millionth of a bitcoin.

Crypto faucets are not widely adopted, due to the lower payouts and shady techniques that many faucet sites use to make money. The whole purpose of a crypto faucet is to spread awareness among people by distributing “free cryptos.” However, it has since transformed into an entirely new business model to yield profits from all kinds of arbitrage. 

Before understanding how a crypto faucet works, we need to understand its core business model. Companies run crypto faucets to maximize their revenue and earn profits. A significant portion of their revenue comes from “traffic arbitrage,” 

 that they send traffic to different advertising networks, earn revenue and share a small portion of it with users. 

The only traffic source for crypto faucets is 

 viewing these ads who come from these ad networks. In return for viewing these ads, you get a tiny portion of the revenue coming from the ad networks in the form of crypto rewards. 

This revenue-share arbitrage model isn’t just limited to ad networks, however. These faucets also work with captcha, gaming networks, survey companies, affiliate networks and other platforms where the revenue-share model makes good business sense.

The more time you spend on a crypto faucet site completing the tasks, the more money you can make. The tasks are dead simple if you look at them, which encourages people to devise algorithms and bots that can skim through these faucets and complete the tasks on their behalf. However, crypto faucet sites try their best to prevent bots from using the platform, in order to avoid being penalized by ad networks. 

Note that, due to high transaction fees, a minimum withdrawal limit is usually in place. Networks use a micro wallet and a micropayments platform to disburse faucet rewards once the minimum withdrawal limit is reached. Many crypto faucet sites also use their native tokens, which you can later convert to any supported 

 through either their platform or any third-party exchange.

Unlike other crypto-based applications, a crypto faucet is relatively simple to use. You don’t need to have a technical background. To use a crypto faucet, you only need to follow these simple steps: 

Even though every crypto faucet has a different interface with which to interact, all crypto faucets follow the same steps. Once you sign up and complete your profile, you can add your wallet address. It is important to note that most of these faucets use micro wallets to send micropayments, and you can’t add your regular Bitcoin or Ethereum wallet address. 

The most common micropayment wallet that these crypto faucets use is 

. You can sign up on their website and set your micro wallet to receive incoming payments. You can use your FaucetPay wallet address on any of the crypto faucets that you’re using. 

Once you’ve signed up and added your wallet address, you can select any task you wish to complete from the main dashboard. For each task, you can see the completion time and the payout (reward) that you get once you complete that task.

Although each crypto faucet offers various tasks, 

 and make sure that you don’t give your personal information. For security reasons, we do recommend using a different browser while completing these tasks.

Once you complete the task(s), you can see the rewards in your balance. Many faucets allow you to choose the primary currency for the rewards, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any other supported currency. Once you hit your minimum withdrawal limit, you can withdraw your earnings from the crypto faucet platform directly to the micropayment wallet that you added in the first step. 

However, you can’t just sit and spend 20 hours a day on these tasks. These crypto faucets have certain limitations for the number of tasks you can complete within a day. This limit prevents bots and automated tools from abusing the faucet system. If the crypto faucet encounters any suspicious activity coming from your account, they can either suspend your account temporarily or block it immediately. 

Crypto faucets aren’t a recent phenomenon. They are one of the earliest applications in the crypto space, tracing back to 2010 when there was only one cryptocurrency: Bitcoin. At that time, very few people knew about Bitcoin, deeming it an experimental currency. 

Gavin Andresen, a well-known cypherpunk and Bitcoin core developer, launched the first crypto faucet back in June 2010. It was a Bitcoin faucet, and its primary purpose was to spread awareness about Bitcoin. Another reason for building this faucet was that there was no Bitcoin exchange then — so this faucet made it easier to acquire bitcoins. 

The original announcement post for the first Bitcoin faucet

At that time, Bitcoin was worth pennies. Very few people took it seriously. Gavin added his own 1,100 bitcoins to his faucet, giving away 5 BTC to anyone who came on the faucet platform and completed a simple captcha. As time passed, this faucet gave away a total of 19,715 bitcoins, all coming from Gavin’s wallet. 

Concurrently, more cryptocurrencies emerged, and developers started making their small faucets as hobby projects. However, it didn’t take long for online publishers to realize the potential of making a profit from crypto faucets with an arbitrage-focused business model. 

These revenue-generating crypto faucets soon proliferated because of the sustainability brought by the arbitrage business model. Today, there is a myriad of crypto faucets offering reward payouts in many different cryptocurrencies. We also see considerable development in the micropayment wallet space, an essential component of modern crypto faucets. 

However, these crypto faucets didn’t receive mainstream attention, due to the low rewards and the amount of time it takes to accumulate them. Modern crypto faucets need to pass the test of time, and we may expect innovative business models to bring mainstream attention.

Back in the day, there were crypto-specific faucets paying rewards in only a single cryptocurrency. The first one ever was a Bitcoin faucet, paying only BTC to users who claimed them by solving a captcha. Soon after there were Litecoin faucets, Ethereum faucets, and other currency-specific faucets coming into the ecosystem. 

Today, crypto faucets have evolved to support reward payouts in multiple cryptocurrencies. You can choose to withdraw your rewards in any of the cryptocurrencies supported on the faucet’s platform. 

Here is a list of well-known crypto faucets that are still in the game: 

The concept of crypto faucets started with the mission of spreading awareness about cryptocurrencies. Now, they have evolved into sophisticated platforms with novel business models. 

Crypto faucets haven’t received the attention needed for mainstream adoption, and they still need to pass the test of time. However, if you have some spare time and want to earn free crypto, hop over to one of your favorite crypto faucet platforms to earn some pocket change.

So, with the newfound knowledge in crypto, why not sign up to Bybit?

A Beginner’s Guide: What Is a Crypto Faucet?

Compete for 2,500 USDT Every Week

A Beginner’s Guide: What Is a Crypto Faucet?

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Compete for 2,500 USDT Every Week

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards