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Thursday, August 11 was the highest VIX options volume day in history with a record 2.6 million VIX options contracts trading hands, according to Macro Risk Advisors head derivatives strategist Pravit Chintawongvanich.

The CBOE Volatility Index jumped above 16, the highest close so far this year. While, it wasn't a significant move relative to its history, Thursday was a big day for VIX exchange-traded products. The iPath S&P 500 VIX ST Futures (VXX) and the ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures (VIXY) soared more than 13% yesterday. Some $11.5 billion was traded in VIX ETPs, the second biggest value day behind August 24, 2015. And some 52,000 futures were bought on the close or 52 million vega, the third largest VIX futures rebalance in history after Brexit.