The estimate is presented as a scenario for range-bound trading, with option premium income offering cash flow in exchange for capped upside and only limited downside cushioning.
Grayscale said a covered call strategy on Bitcoin could generate roughly 22% annualized return in a sideways market, describing the figure as a conditional scenario rather than a fixed or guaranteed yield. The strategy, tied to the Grayscale Bitcoin Covered Call ETF, involves holding Bitcoin exposure while selling call options to collect premium income. Grayscale research head Zach Pandl said on July 15, 2026 that, using assumptions of a $65,000 spot price and 40% implied volatility through end-2026, the strategy could monetize volatility if Bitcoin has formed a durable bottom and then trades within a range. Under that framework, the position would remain profitable above a break-even level near $58,500 and would outperform spot Bitcoin until about $72,500 at expiry. The tradeoff is capped upside in a rally, while downside protection is limited to the premium collected if Bitcoin falls sharply.