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Is the energy market preparing for a $20 crude oil "washout"? In this episode, we tackle the geopolitical chaos in Venezuela and why the energy tape isn't reacting the way the headlines suggested it would. Join host Mark Longo along with Dan Gramza (Gramza Capital Management) and Carley Garner (DeCarley Trading) for a deep dive into the energy complex. We break down the reality of Venezuela's deteriorating infrastructure, the "capitulation" patterns in WTI crude oil, and Dan Gramza's incredible victory in our 2025 VIX Crystal Ball contest. The Venezuela "Oil Spigot" Myth: Why Dan Gramza believes it will take 5–7 years to rebuild Venezuela's energy infrastructure despite the current political shift. Crude Oil Capitulation: Carley Garner explains why WTI crude never bottoms out quietly and why the $55 support level is the "danger zone" for a potential plunge into the $40s or $20s. WTI Options Analysis: Tracking the massive flow in the Feb contract—specifically the 55-strike "double puts" and the disappearance of the geopolitical call skew. Energy Skew & Volatility: Why the initial "tariff tantrum" and supply headlines have left the energy market in a state of neutral indecision.  

It's time for our 2025 Year-End Spectacular! Join us as we look back on everything that lit up our tape in 2025 including: Wild options trades, spicy VIX prints, Metals madness, tariff tantrums and crypto craziness plus we take your pulse on hot topics like Prediction Markets, Strategic Crypto Reserves and...cranberry sauce?

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CO-HOST: Brian Overby, Options Playbook The hosts dive into the mid-season drama of the inaugural Options Insider Fantasy Football League. Mark defends his first-place spot after a Week 9 loss, while Brian celebrates a much-needed win to climb out of the basement. The discussion covers devastating injuries, questionable draft strategies, surprise player finds, and what the future holds for the league. Key Highlights: Rivalry & Standings: Mark falls to 6-3 and is now tied for first. Brian secures a tight win (176.0 to 172.6) to move to 3-6. The Injury Crisis: A brutal season for injuries affecting top players, highlighting the importance of deep benches and constant management. Running Back Woes: Discussing the high-risk nature of early-round RBs (e.g., Saquon Barkley) and the bleak running back options on the current waiver wire (e.g., Devin Singletary). Surprise Sleeper Finds: Highlighting successful mid-season pickups like Khyani Vidal and Rico Dowdle that have been saving struggling teams. Waiver & Draft Strategy: Reviewing the ideal league size (consensus is 12) and the pros and cons of using unconventional draft strategies. Future League Format: Discussing the possibility of expanding the league next year and the appeal of the high-stakes Guillotine League format (where the lowest scorer is eliminated weekly). Favorite Players: Brian names Amari Cooper and the ever-reliable Josh Jacobs as his favorite players this season.    

Future Forward: Embedded Optionality in Market Innovation As technology, regulatory changes and market dynamics continue to evolve, the options market is on the brink of significant transformation. This panel will explore how new innovations - from AI and automation to regulatory changes - are reshaping trading behavior, risk management, and market structure. Moderator: Tommy Martin, Chief Strategy Officer, Dash Financial Technologies Panelists: Annabelle Baldwin, Chief Revenue Officer, SpiderRock Shawn Cruz, Business Development Lead, IMC Geralyn Endo, Head of Options Business Development, MEMX

In the ever-evolving world of financial markets, options trading has experienced rapid growth among retail and institutional investors alike. Examining new educational mediums and methodologies is at the heart of this discussion as we present multiple perspectives on how education in the options space is happening now and how it may transform in the future. This panel will dive into the latest developments in options education, highlighting the strategies, tools and platforms that are empowering the next generation of traders. Moderator: Jessica Inskip, Director of Investor Research, StockBrokers.com Panelists: Mark Benzaquen, Principal, Investor Education, OCC Jermal Chandler, Head of Options Strategy, tastytrade Brent Kochuba, Founder, SpotGamma

Emerging Technologies, Advanced Analytics and Automation in Options Trading: Transforming Strategies and Market Dynamics Cutting edge technologies are reshaping the landscape of options trading, enhancing decision-making processes and driving innovation in trading strategies. This panel will explore how market participants leverage sophisticated modeling techniques to identify opportunites, optimize trade execution, and navigate the ethical challenges associated with increased reliance on automation in financial markets. Moderator: Ivan Brown, Chief Operating Officer, Options, IEX Panelists: Steve Crutchfield, Head of Business Development, Chicago Trading Company Joe Mazzola, Director, Trading & Education, Charles Schwab & Co Nate Pomeroy, Principal, Wolverine Trading

Navigating Market Trends: Buyside Perspectives in Options Trading Moderator: Joe Lewis, Head of Corporate Hedging and FX Solutions, Jefferies Financial Group Panelists: Rachna Mathur, Head of Equities, Americas, EUREX Eric Metz, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer & Head of SpiderRock Advisors John Smollen, Executive Vice President, Exchange Traded Products, MIAX

Defined outcome ETFs are redefining how investors manage risk and achieve targeted outcomes in their portfolios. This panel will delve into how these ETFs use options to mitigate risk, their role in managing market volatility, and the ripple effects they are creating across the options and futures markets. Moderator: Geoff Gaiss, Vice President, Global Deriviatives, TRAFiX Panelists: John DiBacco, Global Head of Derivatives, Clear Street Brian Gilbart, Head of Options Market Development, NYSE Sara Levin, Director, ETF and Derivative Trading, WallachBeth Capital Matt McFarland, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets, Vest Financial

As we look into the future of options trading, several transformative factors are reshaping the market. This session will explore the implication of Payment for Order Flow (PFOF) on trading volumes and market liquidity, alongside the evolving landscape of risk management practices. We will discuss the changing profile of the modern investor, one increasingly influenced by technological advancements, educational resources, and AI-driven strategies and how they are revolutionizing trade execution and portfolio management. Moderator: JJ Kinahan, Chief Executive Officer, IG North America Panelists: Christopher Larkin, Managing Director, Head of Trading & Investing, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley Tanya Patwa, Head U.S. Options Sales, Nasdaq Tony Zhang, Chief Strategist, OptionsPlay Patrick Zielinski, Chief Executive Officer, Box Options Market

In an increasingly data-driven world, this panel will explore how market participants are leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to inform trading strategies, manage risk, and predict market trends. As technology evolves, so do the ways in which we interact with the markets. Moderator: Henry Schwartz, Vice President, Market Intelligence, Cboe Global Markets Panelists: Arianne Adams, Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Derivatives, Webull Matt Amberson, Principal, ORATS Steve Sosnick, Chief Strategist, Interactive Brokers

Dan Busby, Chief Operating Officer, OCC leads a fireside chat with The Honorable Hester M. Peirce, Commissioner, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Did our audience have their fingers on the pulse of the options market in 2024? Tune in to find out as we review the results of all of our audience sentiment polls for 2024 and beyond!

Join us for our 2024 Election Night Spectacular as we break down all the action with a variety of special guests (HINT: LISTEN UNTIL THE END) including: Dr. VIX - aka Russell Rhoads Aash Vyas Scott Bauer Matt Amberson Bill Uliveri Dan Gramza Dan Passarelli Uncle Mike Tosaw The Rock Lobster Andrew Giovinazzi John Smollen and more...

Industry panelists will discuss exchange operations, the state of competition, the return of floor trading and resiliency for the next 50 years. Moderator: Paul Jiganti, Managing Director, Business Development & Market Structure Strategy, IMC Panelists: Andrej Bolkovic, Chief Executive Officer, OCC Shelly Brown, Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning and Business Development, MIAX Sean Feeney, Head of US Options, Nasdaq Kevin McCarthy, Chief Administrative Officer and Head of Clearing, Clear Street

Dive into an insightful exploration of the distinctions between the US and European options markets in this engaging session. Delve into the repercussions and investment prospects stemming from the escalating trading activity flowing from Europe to the US. Uncover the driving forces behind the burgeoning retail sector in Europe and gain valuable forsight into forthcoming market trends. Moderator: David Cross, Co-Head of Options, DASH Financial Technologies Panelists: Lauren Arbid, Director, US Head of Relationship Management, ABN AMRO Clearing USA LLC Mathieu Boivin-Carrier, Director, All Options USA James Putra, Vice President and Head of Product Strategy, TradeStation Dr. Randolf Roth, Member of the Executive Boards, Eurex