What Happens to a Call Option If the Crypto’s Price Does Not Rise?

If the crypto's price does not rise above the strike price by expiration, the call option will likely expire worthless. For the option to be profitable, the crypto's price must exceed the strike price by at least the amount of the premium paid.

If the price stays below the strike price, the option is "out-of-the-money," and there is no financial benefit to exercising it. The buyer will let the option expire and will lose the entire premium they paid for the contract.

This premium represents the maximum loss for the option buyer.