Deribit Exchange Reports Ether Volatility Spike as Altcoins Like PEPE Heat Up
Ether’s implied volatility has sharply diverged from Bitcoin’s, with Deribit’s ETH DVOL index surging 11% this week to 70% annualized—marking its highest level relative to BTC DVOL in two years. The 27-point spread indicates traders expect significant price movements not only in ETH but across altcoins, with meme token Pepe becoming a hotspot for speculation.
While Bitcoin’s volatility expectations remain steady near multi-month lows at 45%, the ether-altcoin correlation is driving capital into higher-risk crypto assets. Market makers report increased demand for ETH options and altcoin perpetual swaps as the rally expands beyond major cryptocurrencies.