Lighter Core began offering 15-minute binary options on Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) on Oct. 19, giving traders fully funded contracts tied to each asset's price direction over short intervals.
Each contract gives traders two choices for the 15-minute price move: Up or Down. Lighter's trading documentation says the markets use price readings from Chainlink Data Streams. An Up selection wins if the final reading matches or tops the opening reading; if it finishes lower, Down wins.
A correct selection produces a payout of 1 USDC per share, while an incorrect one produces none. Buyers must pay the full share price from their USDC balance, putting that purchase amount at risk if the contract expires without a payout. Lighter's guide says the contracts use no leverage, funding charges or liquidations.
Traders can place market orders or specify a limit price. The guide also allows them to close a position before the 15-minute period ends.
Lighter's terms restrict access to its interface and API for people and entities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and China, among other jurisdictions. The company said in its announcement that a broader options offering is planned, but gave no launch date.
