Multi-Timeframe Options Flow Sentiment
Real-time options flow analysis tracking institutional vs retail behavior across three time horizons. This system detects smart money divergence by analyzing call/put flows, delta-weighted exposure, and positioning changes across BTC, ETH, SOL, and XRP options markets.
Analysis Controls
Historical lookback window for flow charts and alerts.
Current 10-Minute Flow
Net options flow (call volume - put volume) in millions USD.
Positive values indicate bullish positioning (more call buying), negative values indicate bearish positioning (more put buying).
Divergence Warning:
Appears when institutional and retail flows move in opposite directions.
Flow Evolution
Flow momentum showing period-over-period changes. The "Aggregation Window" buttons select which rolling sum to track (1h/6h/24h), while "% Change" shows the rate of change versus "Absolute" shows raw dollar values.
Participant Flow Heatmap
Real-time visualization of large trades from institutional players across strike positions.
No heatmap data available
Try selecting a different time range or coin
Institutional vs Retail
Flow breakdown by participant type for BTC.
Institutional: trades >$50k, Professional: $25-50k, Retail: <$10k
Strike Distribution
Flow concentration for BTC.
Greeks-Weighted Exposure
True directional exposure for BTC. Delta-adjusted flow shows actual market exposure vs raw dollar flows.
Alert Timeline
Understanding Options Flow Analysis
The Flow Story
Options flow reveals the real-time battle between bulls and bears. When traders buy calls, they're betting on upside. When they buy puts, they're hedging risk or betting on downside. The simple equation—Call Volume minus Put Volume—tells us which side is winning.
But here's the crucial insight: not all dollars are equal. A $100M bet split across deep out-of-the-money lottery tickets creates far less market pressure than $100M concentrated in at-the-money strikes. This is where Greeks transform raw numbers into actionable intelligence.
Delta: The Truth Filter
Delta adjusts flow for reality. An out-of-the-money call with 0.15 delta only converts 15% of its dollar value into directional exposure.
When raw flow ($1.94B) exceeds delta-adjusted flow ($1.22B), you're seeing speculative betting, not institutional conviction.
Vanna: The Vol-Rally Signal
Positive vanna means positions profit when spot price and volatility rise together—the classic "fear of missing out" signature.
High vanna exposure suggests traders buying upside protection while vol is elevated.
Three Time Horizons, Three Stories
1-Hour Window
Captures knee-jerk reactions to news. High noise, but useful for detecting sudden sentiment reversals.
6-Hour Window
The goldilocks timeframe—balances noise reduction with responsiveness. Best for intraday positioning trends.
24-Hour Window
Reveals sustained institutional conviction. When all three timeframes align, the signal is strongest.
Time Is Not Your Friend
Negative charm exposure means your delta is bleeding away as options approach expiry. These bullish bets aren't patient capital. They're leveraged, expiring optimism.
Every day that passes without a rally, positions lose their directional punch. This is why flow analysis without time-decay awareness misses half the story.
Current Reality Check:
-$323M charm = $323M of delta evaporating daily
Smart Money Divergence
The most powerful signal: when institutions and retail move opposite directions.
Confidence scores above 75% indicate high-conviction institutional plays worth watching closely.
Strike Location Matters
Options are categorized by how far their strike price sits from current market price. This reveals trader psychology and conviction levels.
Highest conviction. Real money.
Directional bets with decent odds.
Speculation or tail-risk hedges.
Lottery tickets or crash insurance.
Call/Put Ratio
Simple but powerful: Calls ÷ Puts
- >1.5 = Bullish dominance
- 0.7-1.5 = Balanced
- <0.7 = Bearish dominance
Convexity: The Accelerator
Positive gamma and vomma mean positions accelerate as markets move. Profits compound on rallies, creating reflexive feedback loops.
This is why options can turn modest moves into outsized gains.
The Volatility Bet Within the Bet
High net vega exposure means these aren't just directional bets, rather volatility plays. When implied vol expands, positions profit even if spot doesn't move. Combine positive vega with positive vomma (vol-of-vol), and you have a book that wants chaos.
⚠️ Important Limitations & Risk Warnings
Options flow is NOT a crystal ball. It shows positioning, not guaranteed outcomes. Large traders can be wrong. Market makers may be hedging client flows, not expressing directional views.
- Hedging vs Speculation: A massive put purchase might be portfolio protection, not a bearish bet
- Complex Strategies: Spreads, straddles, and arbitrage can distort simple call/put analysis
- Market Impact: Options trades don't always translate directly to spot price moves
- Lagging Execution: By the time you see the flow, the position may already be established
- False Signals: Noise and stop-hunts can create misleading flow patterns
💡 Best Practice: Use options flow as one input alongside technical analysis, fundamentals, and risk management. Never trade purely on flow without confirmation.