Archive · 24 Jun 2025
India's 'Sane' Options Market Contrasted with U.S. Speculation
India trades a lot more options contracts than the U.S., but the actual money changing hands is much less.
Nithin Kamath, a finance expert, says India's market seems more stable.
The U.S. has a lot more gambling, with bigger bets and riskier things like crypto and sports betting.
India is mainly sticking to more traditional exchanges, which is why it looks more 'sane'.
India's options contract volume is nearly ten times higher than the U.S.
India's options premium turnover is only a quarter of the U.S. despite higher volumes.
Nithin Kamath highlights that the U.S. market includes additional speculative avenues.
These avenues in the U.S. include leveraged ETFs, crypto, and sports betting.
Kamath considers Indian markets 'sane' in comparison to the U.S.
- Who
- Nithin Kamath, Zerodha co-founder
- What
- Comparison of options trading between India and the U.S.
- When
- Recent data (March 2024 reference)
- Where
- India and the United States
- Why
- To highlight the differences in market speculation levels.
India's Trading Perspective
U.S. Trading Perspective
Trading Volume vs. Premium
India's Trading Perspective
High options contract volume.
U.S. Trading Perspective
Significantly higher premium turnover, despite lower contract volumes.
- India's options contract volume
- Ten times higher than the U.S.
- India's options premium turnover
- 25% of the U.S.
- U.S. options premium turnover
- Significantly higher
- Kamath's view of India's market
- 'Sane'
- Kamath's view of U.S. market
- 'Crazy levels of gambling and speculation'
