> you have a vesting schedule of 100/year for five years and on year two exercise 180 options to buy - that wouldn't exceed the quantity of vested options that are available to buy though
Not quite. Say one has a vesting schedule of 100/year for 5 years. Early exercise would allow one to "purchase" 500 shares on day 1, with the caveat that they be returned if the vesting schedule isn't met, e.g. if the employee leaves on day 2.
> US options are wack and work totally differently to normal options
"Normal" options, European-style options, make up the minority of instruments described by the term "options". Stock options are negotiated instruments. They vary wildly from case to case.
Certain amount of consolidation occurs in different jurisdictions as a result of tax codes. But in a global scheme, early exercise is entirely normal for employee stock options.
Not quite. Say one has a vesting schedule of 100/year for 5 years. Early exercise would allow one to "purchase" 500 shares on day 1, with the caveat that they be returned if the vesting schedule isn't met, e.g. if the employee leaves on day 2.
> US options are wack and work totally differently to normal options
"Normal" options, European-style options, make up the minority of instruments described by the term "options". Stock options are negotiated instruments. They vary wildly from case to case.
Certain amount of consolidation occurs in different jurisdictions as a result of tax codes. But in a global scheme, early exercise is entirely normal for employee stock options.