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Quadruple Witching occurs when stock options, index options, index futures, and single stock futures all expire on the same day. These weeks can often bring with it a lot of volatility — not that we haven't already seen a lot of volatility in the markets recently! For 2008 and so far in 2009, volatility has come to be seen as a four letter word to many, and this, I presume, is a word that many investors just don't want to hear anymore…

In this episode, Mark is joined by Will Easley, Vice Chairman of the Boston Options Exchange (BOX). Mark and Will discuss the challenges that lie ahead for BOX and other options exchanges in 2009. Will the collapse of the hedge fund industry devastate the options market? Can BOX outmaneuver its rivals and carve out niches in the block crossing and OTC markets? Tune in to find out…

Ponzi and usury could be the names for twin poster boys of this era of Wall Street expansion and collapse….

And the winner is…

And the winner is…

The Options Insider wants to take a moment to welcome the newest member of our team…Alexander Longo!

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Traders Talk Live Radio (which airs on AM 560 WIND in Chicago) recently featured www.TheOptionsInsider.com founder Mark S. Longo as a special guest. Mark discussed options strategies for a variety of market conditions. He also provided a historical perspective on the rampaging VIX and explained why it's dangerous to own options premium today. Options Insider Radio listeners can find the complete broadcast here.

2008 has certainly been an eventful year for the options market. There have been explosions in the VIX and implosions in many of the major indices and commodity products. With so much turmoil in the marketplace, 2008 is shaping up to be a record year for for the options market. The Options Clearing Corporation announced this morning that year-to-date options volume has finally surpassed the three billion contract mark. This is the first time that overall options volume has reached that milestone in a single trading year.

It's time to update our scoreboard for the options market…

A brief rundown of the latest headlines from the options market. Topics covered include: the impact of the short selling ban, derivatives risk management crisis, VIX roller coaster ride, CME vs. OCC, OTC credit derivatives battle and more…