We have been hearing about them for a long time, but Bitcoin futures are finally due to begin trading on Sunday night. The debate rages as to whether a liquid futures market will ultimately prove bullish, bearish, or neutral on the underlying bitcoin price. Hedge fund types are salivating as they will be able to take a sizable short position; a position they cannot currently get into easily. Bulls suggest the legitimization of the asset class will attract more noobs and bring further strength since currently anyone that wishes to express a long view can buy and hodl BTC with relative ease, whether in centralized exchange or private wallet.
As a reminder this is a cash settled futures product, and the settlement price (for which daily margin requirements are calculated) will be based on physical bitcoin trading on major spot exchanges (Cboe on Gemini and CME using an index). This should be an epic battle between the hodlers that may control the physicals prices and the institutions that with their big balance sheets may be able to push around the paper futures price.
I'll be standing pat, with popcorn. Anyone else have a view ?