RIOT

Shareholders in Riot Blockchain, Inc. (NASDAQ:RIOT) may be thrilled to learn that the covering analyst has just...

Marathon Patent Group (MARA) shares jump 22% after H.C. Wainwright analyst Kevin Dede starts covering the stock with a Buy rating.It also helps that bitcoin recovered to ~$18,556 after flirting with $19K

Marathon Patent Group (MARA) shares jump 22% after H.C. Wainwright analyst Kevin Dede starts covering the stock with a Buy rating.It also helps that bitcoin recovered to ~$18,556 after flirting with $19K

Cryptocurrency fans have another big-name institutional type in the their corner, with BlackRock's CIO for fixed income Rick Rieder taking time during a CNBC appearance to suggest Bitcoin (BTC-USD) could

Gainers: Micro Focus International (MFGP) +30%. Socket Mobile (SCKT) +23%. Veritone (VERI) +17%. CleanSpark (CLSK) +15%. GreenSky (GSKY) +15%.Losers: Kingsoft Cloud (KC) -9%. Net Element (NETE) -8%. Riot Blockchain (RIOT) -8%. Camtek (CAMT) -8%. Daqo New Energy

Shares of Riot Blockchain (NASDAQ: RIOT) saw some unusual options activity on Wednesday. Following the unusual option alert, the stock price moved up to $6.24. * Sentiment: BULLISH * Option Type: SWEEP * Trade Type: CALL * Expiration Date: 2021-01-15 * Strike Price: $10.00 * Volume: 1651 * Open Interest: 13258Three Signs Of Unusual Options Activity Exceptionally large volume (compared to historical averages) is one reason for which options market activity can be considered unusual. The volume of options activity refers to the number of contracts traded over a given time period. The number of contracts that have been traded, but not yet closed by either counterparty, is called open interest. A contract cannot be considered closed until there exists both a buyer and seller for it.The trading of a contract with an expiration date in the distant future is another sign of unusual activity. Generally, additional time until a contract expires increases the potential for it to reach its strike price and grow its time value. Time value is important in this context because it represents the difference between the strike price and the value of the underlying asset.Contracts that are "out of the money" are also indicative of unusual options activity. "Out of the money" contracts occur when the underlying price is under the strike price on a call option, or above the strike price on a put option. These trades are made with the expectation that the value of the underlying asset is going to change dramatically in the future, and buyers and sellers will benefit from a greater profit margin.Bullish And Bearish Sentiments Options are "bullish" when a call is purchased at/near ask price or a put is sold at/near bid price. Options are "bearish" when a call is sold at/near bid price or a put is bought at/near ask price.These observations are made without knowing the investor's true intent by purchasing these options contracts. The activity is suggestive of these strategies, but an observer cannot be sure if a bettor is playing the contract outright or if the options bettor is hedging a large underlying position in common stock. For the latter case, bullish options activity may be less meaningful than the exposure a large investor has on their short position in common stock.Using These Options Strategies Unusual options activity is an advantageous strategy that may greatly reward an investor if they are highly skilled, but for the less experienced trader, it should remain as another tool to make an educated investment decision while taking other observations into account.For more information to understand options alerts, visit https://pro.benzinga.help/en/articles/1769505-how-do-i-understand-options-alertsSee more from Benzinga * Click here for options trades from Benzinga * 12 Technology Stocks Moving In Wednesday's Pre-Market Session * 12 Technology Stocks Moving In Tuesday's After-Market Session(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Riot Blockchain (RIOT) +2.7% PM, has appointed Hubert Marleau to its board of directors, effective today, to fill in the earlier announced vacancy.Mr. Marleau is a veteran capital markets professional, corporate director,