Stock options (sometimes?) have an exercise date. If you don't exercise by that date, you give up on the options.

But some of them would incur a tax liability at option exercising (the IRS values the "gain" at "stock price - option exercise price" and I believe now causes mark to market at the exercise time?) which would need to be paid also.

Bolt offered to loan people money to exercise their options (and pay the tax?). But if Bolt forgives the loan, the IRS will consider it as income to the loan recipient.

But even then, I'd much rather have a (income tax marginal rate * loan amount) debt to pay than a (loan amount) one.