## Options Expiration Could Trigger Bitcoin's Next Move, Says Samson Mow

Bitcoin sits at a crossroads. At $90.77K, the flagship cryptocurrency has lost significant ground from its October peak of $126.08K, leaving traders caught in what feels like suspended animation heading into late December. But not everyone views this pause as bearish. Samson Mow, a prominent bitcoin evangelist known for his ambitious price targets, believes December 26 (UTC+8) represents a critical inflection point—and it has nothing to do with year-end sentiment.

## The Hidden Mechanics Behind Price Stagnation

The current range-bound trading between $85,000 and $90,000 isn't random. According to Mow's analysis, this artificial stability stems from options market mechanics rather than fundamental supply-demand dynamics. December options contracts are maturing on the 26th (UTC+8), creating what traders call "gamma hedging"—a technical phenomenon where market makers must continuously rebalance positions to manage exposure.

The call options market tells the story. Heavy positioning exists between the $100,000 and $118,000 strike levels, with particular concentration at $100,000. Meanwhile, put option protection clusters around the $85,000 to $90,000 zone. These overlapping hedges create artificial buy-and-sell boundaries that suppress volatility—like gravity holding prices in place.

## What Changes When Options Expire

On December 26 (UTC+8), this technical structure dissolves overnight. As contracts expire and hedging trades unwind, the invisible hand guiding bitcoin's price disappears. History shows these moments rarely result in continued consolidation.

If spot price holds above $90,000 and breaks through the $100,000 level with genuine volume behind the move, forced short-call buying could cascade the market toward $110,000 to $112,000. Market participants holding underwater call options would be compelled to establish long positions to cover their exposure, creating the acceleration Samson Mow expects.

The mathematics are straightforward: gamma dissipates, selling pressure vanishes, and if price finds bids above $100,000, the path upward accelerates—provided volume confirms the move isn't merely algorithmic noise.