
Quiet markets, loud hedges: bulls pile on crash protection as summer swings persist
Despite the S&P 500 hitting a fresh high and the VIX near year-to-date lows, traders have continued to hedge aggressively—buying far out-of-the-money crash puts while call buying surges—creating a paradox of calm with risk premiums still elevated. A record skew toward upside in S&P calls and strong demand for tail protection suggest traders trust the rally but are ready for a sharp move lower, with small-caps acting as a volatility refuge as Nasdaq options also show bullishness.









