Can a Decentralized Options Platform Function without an Oracle?

No, a decentralized options platform cannot function reliably without an oracle, as options are contracts based on the future price of an external asset. Without a secure, external data feed, the smart contract has no way to know the true market price of the underlying asset at expiration.

This makes accurate settlement, which is the core function of the contract, impossible, as the contract cannot determine if the option is in-the-money or what the payoff should be.

What Are the Risks of Relying on a Single Data Feed for an Options Smart Contract?
Explain the Role of an Oracle in Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Its Connection to Accurate Pricing on a DEX
How Does the ‘Strike Price’ Mechanism Function within a Tokenized Options Smart Contract?
What Is the Role of an Oracle in a Smart Contract for Options Trading?
How Do Oracles Ensure the Accurate Pricing of Tokenized Derivatives?
Define “Oracle Risk” in the Context of DeFi Derivatives
How Do Oracles Provide Necessary Data for Decentralized Options Settlement?
How Is Chainlink Used to Provide Settlement Prices for Synthetic Assets?

Glossar