John James Divine is the Managing Director of OTC Trading at BlockFills, an author on Bitcoin options trading, and a public speaker on digital assets. He has a background in traditional derivatives market making and algorithmic trading and has been active in cryptocurrency markets since 2013. Divine's public commentary primarily focuses on using options for risk management, market analysis, institutional adoption of crypto, and regulatory trends. ^[1]​

Education

Divine attended Illinois State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Renewable Energy Technology in 2013. He continued his education at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, graduating in 2014 with a Master’s degree in Energy & Fuels Management. ^{[2] [4]}​

Career

Divine began his career in January 2015 as an Algorithmic Trader and Market Maker at HTG Capital Partners in Chicago, where he worked in high-frequency trading. His role focused on ultra-low-latency trading systems for identifying arbitrage opportunities across commodity, bond, and volatility-derivative markets, including exchanges such as CME, CBOE, and ICE. From March 2018 to July 2019, he worked as a Commodity Derivatives Trader at SCB Group in Puerto Rico. In this position, he was involved in broking activities for environmental and energy products, including physical and derivative markets for fuels, carbon, agriculture, and energy commodities.

Between July 2019 and February 2020, Divine served as a Digital Asset Trader and Execution Specialist at DARMA Capital in Puerto Rico. His work centered on trading and execution within digital asset markets for an investment firm focused exclusively on cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based assets. In March 2020, he joined BlockFills in Chicago, where he has worked in digital asset over-the-counter (OTC) trading. His responsibilities include providing liquidity and trade execution services for institutional and professional clients, as well as supporting order management and clearing operations across digital asset markets. ^{[2] [4]}

Interviews

Rise of Stablecoins

In August 2025, Divine and Wyatt Lonergan of Van Eck Ventures led a discussion at Web3 Investor Day on the rise and role of stablecoins. They described stablecoins as digital cash equivalents, typically backed by assets such as short-term Treasury bills, and noted that regulation under the Genius Act governs how issuers manage yield and compete in the market. The talk emphasized that distribution capabilities and technical infrastructure are critical for providers to capture market share, while stablecoins also enable global access to U.S. financial markets for users without traditional banking relationships. The discussion addressed potential regulatory and jurisdictional risks and highlighted investment strategies that support founders who balance compliance with innovative, globally accessible solutions. The session concluded by underscoring the transformative potential of stablecoins and blockchain, as well as the need for adaptive regulatory frameworks. ^[8]

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Options & Strategies

In a March 2025 interview on the Alt Funds Network podcast, Divine discussed his trading career, which began at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, focusing on precious metals before transitioning into cryptocurrency markets during a bear market in Puerto Rico in 2018. He highlighted the importance of liquidity in both lit exchanges and private trading venues, and described the growth of Bitcoin options markets, which now offer daily, weekly, and monthly contracts for institutional participants. Divine outlined common options strategies, including covered calls, zero-cost collars, and cash-secured puts, and discussed how these tools allow investors to manage risk while maintaining market exposure. He also addressed the potential impact of Bitcoin ETFs on institutional adoption, as well as broader trends in tokenization and the future of crypto investment. Throughout the discussion, he emphasized disciplined risk management and the role of structured strategies over speculation. ^[5]

Bitcoin Insights

In a June 2024 interview with Protocol Pulse, Divine discussed options in Bitcoin markets, focusing on risk management rather than speculative trading. He explained how options can help miners and long-term holders hedge against price volatility, generate cash flow, and protect downside risk through strategies such as selling call options and purchasing protective puts. Divine also described market sentiment indicators, including option skew and contango in forward curves, noting that excessively steep curves can signal overheated market conditions. The conversation covered broader volatility management techniques and how structured options strategies can allow participants to remain exposed to Bitcoin while moderating risk. ^[6]

Blockfills

In a June 2024 interview on Blockster, Divine discussed developments in cryptocurrency markets, including regulatory expectations around Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds. He reflected on Bitcoin’s early history and outlined his career path, which began in the derivatives market making before transitioning into digital assets in the early 2010s. Divine shared views on the SEC’s regulatory approach, expressing concerns about transparency and coordination, and commented on how potential ETF approvals could affect market behavior and investor strategies. He also addressed market volatility, suggesting cautious, rule-based trading approaches, and discussed broader adoption trends, including Bitcoin’s role as an inflation hedge and the possibility of increased institutional and governmental interest. The conversation concluded with observations on long-term investment strategies, including dollar-cost averaging and considerations around selling and holding digital assets. ^[7]

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