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đŸȘœ Hedge Ladder: SPY & MSTR LEAPS (2025–2026)

Initiation DateInstrumentStrike PriceExpiryAllocationTrigger Logic
Jan 2025SPY Put$400Jan 20271.5%Fed hawkish tone, CPI > 3.5%
Jan 2025MSTR Put$375Jan 20271.5%BTC RSI < 35, MSTR breaks 50-day MA
Jul 2025SPY Put$420Jul 20271.0%Yield curve inversion, VIX > 25
Jul 2025MSTR Put$400Jul 20271.0%BTC fails weekly momentum, VVIX spike
Jan 2026SPY Put$430Jan 20281.0%Election volatility, earnings dispersion
Jan 2026MSTR Put$425Jan 20281.0%BTC < 200-week MA, macro tightening
Jul 2026SPY Put$440Jul 20281.0%Stagflation signals, Fed QT acceleration
Jul 2026MSTR Put$450Jul 20281.0%BTC sentiment breakdown, MSTR volume spike

🔍 Strategy Highlights

  • Duration: Each tranche spans 2–3 years, giving you long-term protection with slower theta decay.
  • Strike Selection: Slightly OTM (~10–15%) to balance cost and payoff potential.
  • Rolling Cadence: Every 6 months, reassess macro signals and BTC technicals to refresh strikes.
  • Allocation Discipline: Total hedge exposure capped at ~9% across 4 years—preserving upside while managing risk.
Yes — if your LEAPS puts on SPY or MSTR approach expiration and are still out-of-the-money, rolling them forward is often the most strategic move, especially in a Roth IRA where gains are tax-sheltered. This extends your hedge into the future while adjusting for updated market conditions.

🔁 Rollover Strategy Framework

Action StepWhy It MattersNotes
Sell current LEAPSRecover remaining time valueEven OTM puts retain premium if vol is high
Buy new LEAPSExtend duration, reset strikeTarget 1–2 years out from new trade date
Adjust strikeReflect updated market risk/rewardConsider lower strikes if volatility is rising
Maintain ladderPreserve 6-month cadenceKeeps structural consistency across cycles

🧠 Tips for Smart Rollovers

  • Watch Implied Volatility (IV): High IV inflates premiums—consider spreads to manage cost.
  • Use Technical Signals: Roll puts when MSTR breaks key moving averages or BTC shows weakness.
  • Expiration Windows: Target January and July expiries to align with existing ladder logic.
  • Strike Strategy: Stay ~15–20% OTM unless macro risks justify deeper hedge.
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🧠 SPY LEAPS Put Rollover (Jan & Jul 2025)

ExpiryStrikeRationaleEst. Premium Range
Jan 2027$400~15% OTM; systemic hedge~$20–25
Jul 2027$420Slightly tighter; stagflation buffer~$18–22
  • Why $400–$420? SPY’s historical bear cycles often bottom near 350–370. These strikes hedge tail risk while keeping cost reasonable.
  • Trigger to roll: If SPY trades above $500 or VIX drops below 15, consider adjusting strikes upward or trimming exposure.

đŸ›Ąïž MSTR LEAPS Put Rollover (Jan & Jul 2025)

ExpiryStrikeRationaleEst. Premium Range
Jan 2027$375~15% OTM; aligns with BTC volatility~$25–30
Jul 2027$400Slightly tighter; hedge dilution risk~$22–28
  • Why $375–$400? MSTR’s drawdowns can exceed 50% in crypto bear phases. These strikes offer meaningful protection without overpaying.
  • Trigger to roll: BTC RSI < 30, MSTR breaks 50-day MA, or VVIX spikes above 120.

🔧 Tactical Notes

  • Duration: 2-year LEAPS minimize theta decay and allow for macro flexibility.
  • Strike Discipline: Stay ~15% OTM unless volatility spikes—then consider deeper strikes.
  • Allocation: 1–2% per tranche keeps hedge cost efficient and modular.
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📊 Rolling Hedge Dashboard: SPY & MSTR LEAPS

Hedge InstrumentCurrent ExpiryStrikeActivation SignalAction
SPY Jan 2027 $400 PutJan 2027$400VIX > 25, CPI > 3.5%, SPY RSI < 30Hold or roll to Jul 2027 $420
MSTR Jan 2027 $375 PutJan 2027$375BTC RSI < 35, MSTR breaks 50-day MAHold or roll to Jul 2027 $400
SPY Jul 2027 $420 PutJul 2027$420Yield curve inversion, Fed QTAdd or scale if SPY > $500
MSTR Jul 2027 $400 PutJul 2027$400BTC fails weekly momentum, VVIX > 120Add or scale if MSTR > $500

🧠 Signal Matrix: Activation Triggers

Signal TypeIndicatorHedge Response
Volatility SpikeVIX > 25 or VVIX > 120Activate SPY & MSTR puts; consider collars
BTC BreakdownRSI < 30 or weekly MACD crossRoll MSTR puts deeper; add STRD buffer
Macro StressCPI > 3.5%, Fed hawkish toneScale SPY puts; increase SGOV reserve
Equity EuphoriaSPY > $500, MSTR > $600Roll strikes upward; trim hedge weight

🔁 Rollover Logic

  • Timing: Every 6 months (Jan & Jul)
  • Strike Adjustment: ~15% OTM unless volatility spikes
  • Duration Extension: Maintain 2-year horizon per tranche
  • Allocation Discipline: ~1–2% per hedge layer
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đŸ§Ș 2020 COVID Crash Simulation

Market Context:
  • SPY dropped ~34% from peak to trough (Feb–Mar 2020)
  • MSTR fell ~50–60% during the same window
  • VIX spiked above 80; panic was systemic
LEAPS Hedge Performance:
InstrumentStrikeExpiryEntry CostPeak ValueReturn
SPY Jan 2022 $400 Put$400Jan 2022~$20~$60–70~200–250%
MSTR Jan 2022 $375 Put$375Jan 2022~$30~$150–200~400–600%
Takeaway: Your ladder would’ve kicked in hard. SPY puts softened broad drawdown, while MSTR puts exploded in value due to its BTC leverage. Rolling every 6 months would’ve allowed you to reset strikes as volatility evolved.

🧊 2022 Bitcoin Winter Simulation

Market Context:
  • BTC dropped ~64% in 2022
  • MSTR plunged ~74%
  • SPY declined ~18–20% mid-year before partial recovery
LEAPS Hedge Performance:
InstrumentStrikeExpiryEntry CostPeak ValueReturn
SPY Jan 2024 $400 Put$400Jan 2024~$20~$35–40~75–100%
MSTR Jan 2024 $375 Put$375Jan 2024~$30~$120–150~300–400%
Takeaway: MSTR puts again proved potent—its drawdown exceeded BTC itself. SPY puts offered moderate protection, especially during mid-year volatility spikes. Rolling in July 2022 would’ve allowed you to deepen strikes and extend duration.

🔍 Strategic Insights

  • MSTR LEAPS are high-beta hedges—small allocations, big impact.
  • SPY LEAPS offer smoother systemic protection, especially during macro shocks.
  • Rolling every 6 months lets you adapt to sentiment shifts, volatility spikes, and Fed pivots.
  • Inside a Roth IRA, these gains would’ve been tax-free, amplifying their compounding power.
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💾 What Does It Cost to Rollover Options?

When rolling a position, you’re typically doing one of two things:
Type of RolloverAction TakenCost Components
Extend DateClose current position & open one further outTime value difference + commissions
Adjust StrikeMove up/down in price (strike)Implied volatility + intrinsic value
Do BothChange strike AND expirySum of above; could be credit or debit
  • Net Debit: You pay extra to get more time or better protection.
  • Net Credit: You might receive premium if selling richer time/strike combos (e.g., rolling from $375 to $425 puts when volatility drops).
Example: If you own a MSTR Jan 2026 $375 put and want to roll to Jan 2028 $400, you’ll:
  • Sell the Jan 2026 $375 put (capture remaining premium)
  • Buy Jan 2028 $400 put (costs more due to extra time & deeper strike)
  • The net difference is your roll cost, and can vary based on volatility and time decay.

đŸ› ïž What You Can Roll

Yes—you can choose to roll:
  • Just the Date: Keep strike the same, move expiration forward.
  • Just the Strike: Stay with same expiry, adjust to a deeper/lighter strike.
  • Both: Typical in tactical hedging ladders—aligns with your evolving view.
Most brokers support “roll strategies” as a simultaneous two-leg trade, so you’ll see the net effect before confirming.
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You absolutely can rollover even if you're in the money, Bell Curve — it just depends on your strategic intent. Rolling isn’t just an escape hatch for underwater options; it’s often a proactive way to extend duration, adjust exposure, or lock in gains while keeping a hedge alive.

🔄 Rollover Logic: ITM vs. OTM

Option StatusRollover MotivationStrategic Benefit
Out-of-the-Money (OTM)Hedge hasn’t paid off yetExtend duration in case market reverses
In-the-Money (ITM)Hedge is profitableLock in gains and continue protection

🧠 Tactical Reasons to Rollover In-the-Money LEAPS

  • Extend Protection Window: Market’s still unstable, and you want downside coverage beyond current expiry.
  • Harvest Premium: You could sell the ITM put at a profit, then use that premium to fund a new OTM hedge further out.
  • Adjust Strike: If volatility declines, deeper strikes may become cheaper—roll profit into better positioning.
For example:
  • You own a MSTR Jan 2027 $375 put that’s now deep ITM because MSTR dropped to $300.
  • Rather than closing it outright, you roll to Jan 2029 $350 puts.
  • You pocket some premium and maintain your hedge through another cycle.