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VOLS offer direct exposure to the realized (actual or statistical) daily volatility exhibited by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (symbol SPY). Currently, the majority of market participants are not able to trade, or hedge against, actual price risk of realized volatility directly. This type of risk-control tool has been offered only to large institutions in the over-the-counter volatility swaps marketplace. Soon, VOLS will be available to all market participants in a standardized, transparent, and centrally cleared options contract on BOX. Michael Dever, founder, Brandywine Asset Management, said “The unique design of this product adds to our ability to control risk and potentially increase returns, making it a great addition to our clients' portfolios.”

VOLS will expire at the same time as standard weekly, monthly, and quarterly options on SPY. According to Donald Schlesinger, Chief Strategy Officer at VolX, this same-day expiration schedule leapfrogs the utility of the contract over the competition. “We have vetted the product to hundreds of institutions and thousands of traders and the response has been remarkable,” says Schlesinger.

Tony McCormick, Chief Executive Officer of BOX, added that “Functionally, these are very different products than those based on implied volatility. They will provide a clean, robust, and effective hedge for market participants.”
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