According to @QCPgroup, BTC retreated from highs above 124,000 USD before stabilising; source: @QCPgroup on X, Aug 15, 2025. They also note volatility eased in Asia hours, while options markets still show a bias toward downside protection; source: @QCPgroup on X, Aug 15, 2025.

According to glassnode, BTC options skew reveals a notable divergence, as 1-month puts are trading at a 4.6% premium while 1-week skew remains subdued. This pattern indicates that traders are expressing near-term bullish sentiment by favoring 1-week calls, suggesting expectations of upward price movement in the immediate term. At the same time, the elevated 1-month puts reflect active hedging or profit-taking strategies by participants looking to protect gains from the recent rally. This dynamic signals increased volatility anticipation and could impact short-term BTC price action as traders adjust positions in both directions. Source: glassnode