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.

December's end-of-year options expiration brought an unexpected drop as realized volatility fell to the lowest levels of the month. Perpetual swap open interest remained stable, indicating these markets weren't heavily used for hedging against expired options, likely contributing to the muted volatility. 

While most expired open interest in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) hasn't been reinvested, the balance of calls and puts remains consistent. Notably, ETH options are pricing in higher implied volatility as compared to BTC, particularly for shorter expirations, leading to a flat term structure for ETH, while BTC is offering cheaper options exposure.

In the perpetual markets, low volatility and minimal spot movements have led funding rates for nearly all tokens to mirror broader market sentiment throughout the holiday season. On the options side, BTC's term structure is noticeably lower and steeper than ETH's, with realized volatility now dipping below implied volatility levels, highlighting an intriguing shift in market dynamics.

Please check out the report’s highlights.

Open Interest Solid Amid Year-End Options Expiration

Although open interest for both BTC and ETH perpetual swaps hasn’t returned to early December 2024 highs, it remained robust throughout the significant end-of-year options expiration event. This suggests that these markets weren’t heavily utilized to 

 of the expiring options contracts, likely contributing to the lack of volatility observed during this period. Instead, trading volumes have dipped noticeably during the winter holiday season, coinciding with a collapse in realized volatility back to December 2024’s lowest levels.

BTC Option Curve Remains Steep During Call-Put Parity

The expiration of December's end-of-year options didn’t trigger the anticipated surge in volatility; instead, realized volatility has plummeted to the lower end of its recent range. The implied volatility term structure remains steep compared to both its recent behavior and ETH's, with longer-dated implied volatility around 57%, and 1-week at-the-money options trading about five points lower. Much of the expired open interest hasn’t yet been rolled into new positions, maintaining a neutral balance between puts and calls. Consequently, BTC's options market positioning is relatively neutral, lacking the leverage it had at the start of December 2024.

Huge ETH Option Expiring Doesn’t Cause Volatility

A late December spike in realized volatility didn’t carry into the new year, with ETH’s spot price currently exhibiting volatility below that of short-tenor implied volatility. Interestingly, the implied volatility term structure has undergone a steepening and re-flattening over the past week, contrasting with BTC’s slightly steeper profile. This suggests that ETH’s options market is anticipating higher short-term volatility in spot price movements. 

Despite the significant expiration of options open interest at the end of December 2024, which didn’t lead to a rollover into later expirations, call options continue to dominate the market and have increased at the start of 2025.

Advanced

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Bybit X Block Scholes Crypto Derivatives Analytics Report (Jan 2, 2025): BTC Options Continue to See Call-Put Parity, With Lower Short-Term Volatility Expected

Dive into FLock, a decentralized platform that revolutionizes the way AI models are developed, trained and deployed.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform countless industries, but its development often raises questions about privacy, control and inclusivity. 

 is a unique decentralized platform that democratizes AI training, fine-tuning and inferencing. With its blockchain-powered infrastructure, FLock ensures transparency, security and community-driven decision-making, paving the way for AI models that align with established societal values. 

In this article, we’ll explore how FLock decentralizes AI training, its key features and its potential impact on developers, communities and users.

 platform that revolutionizes the way AI models are developed, trained and deployed. By leveraging blockchain technology and a novel approach called 

, FLock addresses critical issues in AI development, such as centralized control, lack of transparency and privacy concerns.

At its core, FLock’s mission is to democratize AI by enabling communities to participate directly in the creation and refinement of AI models. Through federated learning, FLock trains AI models across multiple decentralized devices or servers. This method ensures that data remains local, eliminating the need for raw data exchange while still enabling robust model training. By decentralizing the training process, FLock not only protects individual privacy, but also fosters a more inclusive ecosystem in which diverse contributors can collaborate.

What sets FLock apart is its integration of 

. This ensures that all contributions — whether data, compute power or feedback — are transparently recorded and fairly rewarded. Blockchain tech’s immutable ledger enhances trust among participants and safeguards the process against manipulation. Additionally, the platform’s on-chain incentive mechanisms encourage participation from a wide range of contributors, ensuring that rewards are distributed equitably.

Ultimately, FLock empowers communities to develop bespoke AI models tailored to their specific needs. By decentralizing the process and prioritizing transparency and collaboration, FLock breaks the monopoly of large corporations, creating an AI ecosystem that aligns with public ethics and societal values.

, an Oxford alumnus with a robust background in AI and blockchain technology. Sun, who serves as FLock's CEO, has an impressive career trajectory, having worked as the Director of AI for the Royal Bank of Canada and as an AI Research Fellow at Imperial College London. His vision for FLock stems from a deep understanding of both the technical and ethical challenges of AI development.

The founding team also includes other Oxford alumni, boasting over a decade of combined experience in AI research and the cryptocurrency industry. This team brings a collective blend of academic excellence and practical expertise that positions FLock to lead the decentralized AI movement.

FLock has successfully raised $11 million in funding across two rounds, reflecting strong investor confidence in its vision. In May 2024, FLock secured a $6 million seed round co-led by Lightspeed Faction and Tagus Capital, with additional backing from Digital Currency Group (DCG), Volt Capital, OKX Ventures and Inception Capital.

Later, in December 2024, FLock announced a $3 million successful funding round led by DCG and joined by prominent names like Animoca Brands, Fenbushi Capital, GnosisVC and GSR. These investments are being channelled into enhancing the platform’s testnet and federated learning client, accelerating FLock’s mission of enabling secure, collaborative AI development.

With this funding and over 1,500 nodes contributing from platforms like Numerai and Kaggle, FLock is rapidly scaling its impact on decentralized AI training.

FLock AI revolutionizes AI development through its decentralized training framework. This approach allows participants to contribute to AI model training without ever sharing their personal data. Instead, models are trained locally across devices using federated learning, which ensures that data remains with its owners while still enhancing the accuracy of the model overall. 

FLock’s reward system is designed to incentivize active participation. Contributors who provide data, computational power and/or feedback are compensated with FLOCK tokens, ensuring a fair distribution of rewards. 

FLock empowers its community through a robust governance framework. Decisions regarding AI model development, deployment and ethical considerations are driven by the community, ensuring alignment with established societal values. Through blockchain-based voting mechanisms, contributors can influence the direction of AI projects, fostering transparency and public accountability. 

FLock’s modular architecture allows contributors to participate in specific aspects of AI model development. Whether providing raw data or computational power or even refining algorithms, the platform enables a collaborative and scalable development process. 

At the core of FLock’s philosophy is its commitment to privacy and security. By leveraging blockchain technology, the platform ensures that no single entity controls the AI development process. Data remains local and protected by cryptographic measures, while the immutability of blockchain guarantees transparency in every transaction and model update. 

 begins with a blockchain and an AI layer.

The blockchain layer underpins FLock’s incentivization and security mechanisms.

The AI layer facilitates model training, refinement and deployment, leveraging both centralized and federated approaches.

Let’s have a look at the supply and demand for the FLOCK token.

FLock adopts a 1:2 ratio model between team/investors (33.3%) and community (66.7%), prioritizing community-driven growth and ecosystem expansion. The majority of tokens are allocated to incentivize user participation and long-term ecosystem success.

FLock aims to improve the future of AI development by decentralizing the training process and ensuring transparency, privacy and inclusivity. By leveraging blockchain and federated learning, FLock empowers communities to contribute to AI creation without compromising on privacy. Its innovative reward system and community-driven governance foster a fair and collaborative ecosystem. 

With significant backing and a growing network of contributors, FLock is positioning itself as a leader in decentralized AI, offering a more ethical and secure alternative to traditional AI development models. As it continues to scale, FLock is set to transform the way AI models are built and deployed.

 — and earn a share of a 10 million FLOCK prize pool. For more details, visit 

Intermediate

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FLock AI: Decentralized AI Training

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how you can complete a series of tasks in Network3 for Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade.

Task 1: Register for a Network3 Account and Connect Your Bybit Wallet 

: Navigate to the campaign page and click on the 

task. Click on the task, and Galxe will ask to redirect you to the Network3 register page.

: Register for a Network3 account using your email address. You may indicate a 

Task 2: Download the Network3 App and Run a Node for One Hour

 and choose your operating system to download the Network3 app.

 or powerbutton, depending upon which operating system you’re using. For ease of reference, we’ve used macOS and iOS as examples below.

: Keep running the node until the timer reaches 

Beginner

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How to Complete Network3 Tasks for Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade

Bybit launched the Bybit Merch Creative Challenge for university students worldwide, offering a $50,000 USDT prize pool.

The S&P 500 dropped 0.22% on Thursday, its fifth straight decline, with investors eyeing Friday’s economic updates. Coindesk Indices, an index measuring broader cryptocurrency market performance was up by 2.03%, with Bitcoin and Ether rising by 2.79% and 2.70%, respectively in the past 24 hours.

Today's top performer is XRP, which surged 1.9% following a rise in price driven by increased open interest and positive market sentiment.

Ripple (XRP), launched in August 2012, is a blockchain technology company focused on improving international payments with its cryptocurrency, XRP. XRP price surged due to increased open interest, a major XRP transfer, and market sentiment linked to Trump's inauguration. Bullish momentum is supported by high short liquidations, with key resistance levels to watch for further price movement.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of 

 for university students worldwide, offering a $50,000 USDT prize pool. Participants can design exclusive Bybit merchandise, with submissions open until Jan. 15, 2025. Winners will be announced on Feb. 1, 2025, across four prize categories.

Yesterday, Bitcoin Spot ETFs recorded a total inflow of $84.8M, driven by $107.9M from non-GBTC funds, partially offset by a $23.1M outflow from GBTC.

, offering an airdrop for participants who complete tasks like swapping and bridging using the Mango wallet. Points earned through tasks determine airdrop rewards. Join via the Mango wallet and follow steps on the testnet dashboard.

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Bybit Launches $50,000 Merch Design Challenge for University Students Worldwide

Bybit Learn

web3

Explainers

Altcoins

TARS AI (TAI) bridges AI and web3 with scalable infrastructure, offering AI-powered solutions for web3 startups to streamline operations like smart contract management and token distribution.

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 technology has created enormous opportunities for startups and established businesses to reach new audiences and propose innovative business models. However, despite the great potential offered by the 

 industry, many projects face operational difficulties, both at the pre-launch and post-launch stages. 

These projects may propose incredibly useful product ideas, but they often run into operational issues, such as the complexity of creating and managing smart contracts, difficulties with token distribution mechanisms, lack of credibility in the web3 sphere, and limited access to automation and AI technologies.

TARS AI (TAI), previously TARS Protocol, is a decentralized blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) platform that aims to solve these issues by offering web3 businesses a comprehensive set of AI-powered operational modules. The platform's suite of products is designed to empower projects to start their web3 journey by leveraging modular AI-based solutions.

 (TAI) is a decentralized, multichain platform that offers AI-powered modular solutions and tools, enabling organizations in the web3 space to quickly and efficiently launch and manage their tokens and projects. 

By offering a unified platform on which common tools and modules required for a modern web3 project are easily available, TARS AI helps new 

 (DApp) projects reduce the significant risks associated with early-stage operations.

In many cases, launching web3 projects requires rich technical skills, operational expertise, knowledge of the intricacies of specific chains and more. Many hopeful startups lack either such depth of expertise, or access to all of the necessary tools. As a result, they may face significant risks at these critical early stages.

At the same time, the rapid development of AI technologies creates unique opportunities to automate many operational processes in order to help streamline the management of a web3 project. TARS AI aims to offer its users AI products specifically tailored for typical early-stage web3 initiatives. Using the platform, blockchain projects can effortlessly transition into the world of web3, even when they don't have a large team of technical and operations experts.

The TARS AI project was launched in 2022 under the brand name of TARS Protocol. In September 2023, it was rebranded to TARS AI to reflect its focus on AI solutions. TARS AI is a multichain platform, operating on eight blockchain and 

 (ARB). The project’s team plans to continue expanding the platform's reach to even more chains in the future.

TARS AI users have access to a diverse range of AI-powered tools, widgets and solutions to add to their DApps at the pre-launch and post-launch stages. In many cases, these modular solutions and products require little-to-no blockchain programming expertise, reducing the costs and barriers to entry for new project operators. For instance, the platform's AI-driven 

 governance module can be used as a plug-in solution that automatically sets the standards and rules for joining the DAO and participating in its governance processes.

 power all of the available TARS AI processes and solutions. Client DApps on TARS AI can also integrate composable, modular AI-powered smart contracts into their projects, quickly automating tasks such as smart contract deployment and management, user authentication, and management of digital assets related to the project's fundraising activities.

TARS AI Hub is the platform's AI models aggregator. It’s designed to provide web3 users access to a variety of pre-trained AI algorithms. The AI models available via the hub are completely free for TARS AI users to integrate into their own DApp projects. These models have been carefully curated by the TARS team to include only quality algorithms relevant to web3 project operators.

AI developers can contribute models to the hub and earn rewards in return for their contributions via the platform's Build2Earn incentive mechanism. Users can also engage with the hub's AI models and earn crypto rewards for using them through yet another incentive system, AI2Earn.

TARS Space empowers web3 startups to create their own personalized branded space on the platform to showcase their business and products, provide verifiable client testimonials and launch other TARS AI tools relevant to their operations. Operators can use TARS Space to build brand awareness and manage AI-powered tools through a unified interface.

Claimer is an AI tool on TARS Space that automates and streamlines token 

 and management operations. Project owners can design highly customized token vesting and release schedules based on smart contracts and AI. The AI component of Claimer lets you dynamically adjust the schedules. Investors also benefit from using Claimer by gaining access to an AI-driven, streamlined token-claim process.

Smart SAFT, another TARS Space tool, automates the processes involved in project fundraising activities. Most web3 projects secure funds at the early stages of their operation using these Simple Agreements for Future Tokens (SAFTs). Smart SAFT automates the drafting and enforcement of such activities.

Using smart contracts, Smart SAFT offers a decentralized solution that enables investors to carefully assess their agreements’ terms and protect themselves from the inherent risks involved in web3 investment decisions. AI-powered algorithms ensure that the process of generating and enforcing SAFTs is safe and beneficial to both sides of the fundraising activity — DApp operators and token investors.

 or unauthorized access to project materials and DApps’ internal areas is a concern for many operators. Web3 initiatives at the early stages of their lifecycles are particularly prone to such violations. The Web3 Staff Authenticator is a decentralized identity verification solution that helps operators manage platform access. It can be used for authenticating staff, DAO members or other authorized parties.

Operators can add their employees' or DAO members' details, such as emails, social media handles and other relevant account details, to the project's branded TARS Space. These are held in a secure, decentralized way on the platform. Other project participants can then easily verify the details of an employee or DAO member via the Space.

TAI, previously referred to as TARS, is the native cryptocurrency of the TARS AI platform. It has a wide range of functions on the platform, including:

 asset with a maximum and total supply of 1 billion tokens, of which 

The TAI token is available through Bybit's Spot market. From May 2–16, 2024, you can also participate in Bybit's dedicated campaigns to grab a share of the 

. Till May 15, a further opportunity to grab TAI tokens is available via an 

, a user-friendly and gas-free aggregator of the most promising airdrops available in the web3 space.

The unrelenting march of AI technologies has opened up unique opportunities across the blockchain industry. Using the remarkable proliferation of quality AI models and solutions, the TARS AI team has delivered a modular product that lets operators start their DApp journeys even when they don't have access to a big team of professional consultants and developers. 

If you have a great web3 project idea, the implementation is now a lot easier and smoother, all thanks to TARS AI and the modules it offers. This is a rare platform that combines cutting-edge AI solutions with scalable web3 modular infrastructure. What TARS AI needs now is more web3 startups appreciating its AI-powered modular services and deciding to join the ranks of its users.

TARS AI (TAI): Bridging AI and Web3 With Scalable Infrastructure

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards