HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider

CO-HOST: Brian Overby, Options Playbook

The hosts dive into the mid-season drama of the inaugural Options Insider Fantasy Football League. Mark defends his first-place spot after a Week 9 loss, while Brian celebrates a much-needed win to climb out of the basement. The discussion covers devastating injuries, questionable draft strategies, surprise player finds, and what the future holds for the league.

• Rivalry & Standings: Mark falls to 6-3 and is now tied for first. Brian secures a tight win (176.0 to 172.6) to move to 3-6.

• The Injury Crisis: A brutal season for injuries affecting top players, highlighting the importance of deep benches and constant management.

• Running Back Woes: Discussing the high-risk nature of early-round RBs (e.g., Saquon Barkley) and the bleak running back options on the current waiver wire (e.g., Devin Singletary).

• Surprise Sleeper Finds: Highlighting successful mid-season pickups like Khyani Vidal and Rico Dowdle that have been saving struggling teams.

• Waiver & Draft Strategy: Reviewing the ideal league size (consensus is 12) and the pros and cons of using unconventional draft strategies.

• Future League Format: Discussing the possibility of expanding the league next year and the appeal of the high-stakes Guillotine League format (where the lowest scorer is eliminated weekly).

• Favorite Players: Brian names Amari Cooper and the ever-reliable Josh Jacobs as his favorite players this season.

Future Forward: Embedded Optionality in Market Innovation

As technology, regulatory changes and market dynamics continue to evolve, the options market is on the brink of significant transformation. This panel will explore how new innovations - from AI and automation to regulatory changes - are reshaping trading behavior, risk management, and market structure.

• Moderator: Tommy Martin, Chief Strategy Officer, Dash Financial Technologies

Panelists:

• Annabelle Baldwin, Chief Revenue Officer, SpiderRock
• Shawn Cruz, Business Development Lead, IMC
• Geralyn Endo, Head of Options Business Development, MEMX

In the ever-evolving world of financial markets, options trading has experienced rapid growth among retail and institutional investors alike. Examining new educational mediums and methodologies is at the heart of this discussion as we present multiple perspectives on how education in the options space is happening now and how it may transform in the future. This panel will dive into the latest developments in options education, highlighting the strategies, tools and platforms that are empowering the next generation of traders.

• Moderator: Jessica Inskip, Director of Investor Research, StockBrokers.com
• Panelists:
• Mark Benzaquen, Principal, Investor Education, OCC
• Jermal Chandler, Head of Options Strategy, tastytrade
• Brent Kochuba, Founder, SpotGamma

Emerging Technologies, Advanced Analytics and Automation in Options Trading: Transforming Strategies and Market Dynamics

Cutting edge technologies are reshaping the landscape of options trading, enhancing decision-making processes and driving innovation in trading strategies. This panel will explore how market participants leverage sophisticated modeling techniques to identify opportunites, optimize trade execution, and navigate the ethical challenges associated with increased reliance on automation in financial markets.

• Moderator: Ivan Brown, Chief Operating Officer, Options, IEX Panelists:
• Steve Crutchfield, Head of Business Development, Chicago Trading Company
• Joe Mazzola, Director, Trading & Education, Charles Schwab & Co
• Nate Pomeroy, Principal, Wolverine Trading

Navigating Market Trends: Buyside Perspectives in Options Trading

• Moderator: Joe Lewis, Head of Corporate Hedging and FX Solutions, Jefferies Financial Group Panelists:
• Rachna Mathur, Head of Equities, Americas, EUREX
• Eric Metz, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer & Head of SpiderRock Advisors
• John Smollen, Executive Vice President, Exchange Traded Products, MIAX

Defined outcome ETFs are redefining how investors manage risk and achieve targeted outcomes in their portfolios. This panel will delve into how these ETFs use options to mitigate risk, their role in managing market volatility, and the ripple effects they are creating across the options and futures markets.

• Moderator: Geoff Gaiss, Vice President, Global Deriviatives, TRAFiX

Panelists:

• John DiBacco, Global Head of Derivatives, Clear Street
• Brian Gilbart, Head of Options Market Development, NYSE
• Sara Levin, Director, ETF and Derivative Trading, WallachBeth Capital
• Matt McFarland, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets, Vest Financial

As we look into the future of options trading, several transformative factors are reshaping the market. This session will explore the implication of Payment for Order Flow (PFOF) on trading volumes and market liquidity, alongside the evolving landscape of risk management practices. We will discuss the changing profile of the modern investor, one increasingly influenced by technological advancements, educational resources, and AI-driven strategies and how they are revolutionizing trade execution and portfolio management.

• Moderator: JJ Kinahan, Chief Executive Officer, IG North America

Panelists:

• Christopher Larkin, Managing Director, Head of Trading & Investing, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
• Tanya Patwa, Head U.S. Options Sales, Nasdaq
• Tony Zhang, Chief Strategist, OptionsPlay
• Patrick Zielinski, Chief Executive Officer, Box Options Market

In an increasingly data-driven world, this panel will explore how market participants are leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to inform trading strategies, manage risk, and predict market trends. As technology evolves, so do the ways in which we interact with the markets.

• Moderator: Henry Schwartz, Vice President, Market Intelligence, Cboe Global Markets Panelists:

• Arianne Adams, Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Derivatives, Webull

• Matt Amberson, Principal, ORATS

• Steve Sosnick, Chief Strategist, Interactive Brokers

• Dan Busby, Chief Operating Officer, OCC leads a fireside chat with The Honorable Hester M. Peirce, Commissioner, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Welcome to the opening remarks for the 2025 Options Industry Conference delivered by Dan Busby, Chief Operating Officer for OCC.