Volatility Views 677: Geopolitical Turmoil and the Death of Vol Conferences

Is the traditional volatility conference a dying breed? This week on Volatility Views, host Mark Longo and the "Once, Future, and Present Dr. VIX," Russell Rhoads, dive into the shifting landscape of institutional trading events—from the legendary "swag mazes" of the CBOE Risk Management Conference (RMC) to the distinct lack of retail-friendly education in the space. The duo breaks down a week of head-scratching market action where the S&P 500 hits new all-time highs while the VIX remains surprisingly "spicy" due to geopolitical uncertainty and ceasefire extensions. Highlights include: The RMC Swag Report: Russell reviews the high-end gear at this year's conference and the curious absence of electronic swag. The VVIX/VIX Ratio: A deep dive into using this relationship as a hard trading indicator. VIX Options Flow: Analysis of massive prints in the May and June cycles, including a rare 15,000-lot weekly trade that caught Russell's eye. The "Hair Dryer" Hedge: A wild look at betting markets and a Polymarket trader who allegedly rigged a weather-based bet. Crystal Ball: Mark and Russell place their bets on the VIX handle for next week. "Genius Loves Company—visit tastytrade.com/podcasts to see why Investopedia named them the best broker for options for the past three years."