TLDR

  • Binance has extended the ability to write (sell) ether options to all users for earning passive income, a feature that was once restricted to professional traders.
  • Traders can collect premiums by selling call or put options, using posted margin as collateral, mirroring strategies available on platforms like Deribit.
  • The exchange has enhanced its options platform with increased API speeds, reduced latency, and a wider range of strike prices to improve trade execution.
  • A 20% fee discount on ETH, BTC, BNB, and SOL options contracts is being offered to VIP users.
  • Access to options writing requires users to first pass a suitability assessment to promote responsible trading practices.

Binance has broadened the availability of ether options writing to its entire user base. This development enables retail investors to utilize trading strategies that were formerly the domain of professional traders.

The announcement was made by the exchange on December 22, 2025. Users are now able to write, or sell, ether options to earn income by collecting premiums.

Options are financial contracts granting the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price before a specified expiry. By writing these contracts, users receive an initial payment known as a premium.

This premium acts as instant income for the seller. In return, the writer assumes the responsibility to honor the contract terms should the buyer decide to exercise their right.

Sellers of call options gain when the asset’s price remains stable or falls. Sellers of put options profit when prices are stable or rise.

Users are required to post margin as collateral to secure their potential contractual duties. Binance mandates that all users successfully complete a suitability assessment prior to gaining access to options writing.

This new functionality addresses increasing demand from both individual and institutional investors. Many traders have already been employing comparable strategies on rival platforms such as Deribit in recent years.

Jeff Li, Vice President of Product at Binance, commented that the company is focused on providing tools that align with user requirements. The options writing capability and system enhancements are designed to offer quicker execution and enhanced flexibility.

Platform Infrastructure Improvements

Binance has upgraded its options trading infrastructure to accommodate the new offerings. The enhancements feature greater API throughput and reduced latency for speedier order processing.

The range of available strike prices has been widened for multiple assets. This provides traders with increased precision for executing hedging and other trading approaches.

New WebSocket streams deliver more comprehensive market data. This enriched information aids traders in performing more thorough analysis of the options markets.

These platform improvements are geared towards high-frequency and institutional traders. The upgrades are intended to strengthen Binance’s position in the competitive derivatives market.

Fee Discounts and Market Incentives

Binance has launched a 20% discount on both taker and maker fees for its VIP users. This discount is valid for newly listed options contracts for ETH, BTC, BNB, and SOL.

The objective of the fee reduction is to draw more liquidity to the platform. Reduced transaction costs lower the expense for traders when opening and closing positions.

This incentive strategy is consistent with previous efforts by the exchange to increase its market share. Binance continues to be the largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume.

Comparison to Bitcoin Options

The introduction of ether options follows Binance’s prior decision to open up bitcoin options writing. The exchange has consistently worked to make derivative instruments more available to retail users.

Institutional demand for cryptocurrency options has risen significantly during 2024 and 2025. Earlier this year, the trading volume of BlackRock’s IBIT options exceeded that of Deribit’s bitcoin options.

This trend indicates growing institutional engagement with crypto derivatives. Established traditional finance entities are entering the market via regulated products.

Binance’s latest initiative places ether options on par with bitcoin options in terms of retail accessibility. Users can now implement income-generating strategies across several major digital currencies.