Binary Options Martingale Strategy

Contributor Image
Written By
Contributor Image
Written By
William Berg
William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.
Contributor Image
Edited By
Contributor Image
Edited By
Tobias Robinson
Tobias is a partner at DayTrading.com, director of a UK limited company and active trader. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry and contributed via CySec to the regulatory response to digital options and CFD trading in Europe. Toby’s expertise and dedication to financial education make him a trusted voice in the industry, including a BBC investigation into digital options.
Updated

The binary options Martingale strategy is an example of a doubled-up, outcome-based concept used by many traders today. This guide will cover what the binary options Martingale strategy is, the odds of winning with the system, how it works in practice using step-by-step examples, and more.

Top Binary Options Brokers

This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category in 2025:

  1. Capitalcore - Capitalcore has expanded its suite of trading products, introducing binary options on forex, metals and crypto with payouts up to 95%. Geared towards short-term traders, contract lengths range from 1 minute to 1 hour. It’s a snap to place trades on the intuitive web platform, requiring just the click of the button – ‘Call’ if you think the price will rise and ‘Put’ if you think it will fall.
  2. IQCent - IQCent offers binary options with above-average payouts up to 98%. The broker supports an online platform with basic analysis tools but a wide range of timeframes, from 1 minute to 1 month, catering to short and long term trading strategies. Considering the negatives, there are no binaries on stocks.
  3. CloseOption - CloseOption offers binary options trading on 30+ fiat and digital currencies through an easy-to-use web-based platform. 15 contract timeframes are available from 30 seconds to 1 month, suiting both short-term and long-term traders. New users also get a joining gift.
  4. Videforex - Videforex continues to offer binary options with 20% payouts on crypto and up to 98% on less volatile assets, beating many competitors. A wide range of contract lengths are also supported from 5 seconds up to 1 month. New users will appreciate the welcome deposit bonus.
  5. Binarium - Binarium is an experienced binary options broker offering access to a range of financial markets with a proprietary, sleek platform. New users can claim a welcome bonus up to $1,500 or practice in the demo account with $10,000.
  6. Dukascopy - Dukascopy offers binary options on currency pairs, stocks and indices, alongside powerful trading tools and market insights. User gets flexible contract sizes and deposits are protected by EU law, though the $1000 starting investment is higher than alternatives.

Capitalcore

"The major selling points of Capitalcore are its high leverage options up to 1:2000 and zero commission or swap fees. However, its weak regulatory oversight from the IFSA and non-existent education place it far behind the top brokers."

Christian Harris Christian Harris, Reviewer

Capitalcore Quick Facts

Bonus Offer40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500
Minimum Deposit$10
Payout %95%
Expiry Times1 minute - 1 hour
Copy TradingNo
PlatformsWebTrader, Pro
InstrumentsForex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures Indices, Binary Options
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • The Capitalcore platform provides comprehensive charting tools and a wide range of 150+ technical indicators, ideal for detailed market analysis.
  • Unlike most brokers, Capitalcore offers an unlimited demo account that takes under 5 minutes to open.
  • Capitalcore has added binary options trading on 30+ currency pairs, metals and crypto with one-click trading and payouts up to 95%.

Cons

  • The web platform was inconsistent during testing, with occasional technical glitches that meant the trading platform wouldn’t load.
  • Capitalcore is not regulated by major financial authorities and has an unproven reputation, raising concerns about the safety of client funds.
  • Platform support is limited to proprietary software, so there's no integration with the market-leading MetaTrader or cTrader, which offer built-in economic news and support automated trading.

IQCent

"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "

Jemma Grist Jemma Grist, Reviewer

IQCent Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Minimum Deposit$250
Payout %98%
Expiry Times5 seconds - 1 month
Copy TradingYes
PlatformsOnline Platform, TradingView
InstrumentsBinary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR

Pros

  • The broker offers up to 98% payouts on binary options, which is more than alternatives like Pocket Option, only offering up to 92%
  • CFD trading fees are competitive based on tests, including 0.7 pips on major forex pairs such as EUR/USD
  • The broker's 24/7 customer support is fast and reliable, responding within 1 minute during tests

Cons

  • IQCent trails binary brokers like Quotex with its narrow investment offering of around 100 assets with no stocks
  • There's no automated trading support for algo traders
  • The broker is not overseen by a respected regulator, though this is common among binary options firms

CloseOption

"CloseOption is a good pick for traders seeking a user-friendly binary options platform with high payouts and joining bonuses."

Tobias Robinson Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

CloseOption Quick Facts

Bonus Offer$10 Welcome Gift
Minimum Deposit$5
Payout %95%
Expiry Times30 seconds - 1 month
Copy TradingNo
PlatformsOwn
InstrumentsBinary Options on Forex & Cryptos
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • Free demo account
  • Multiple global payment methods are available
  • New traders can get started with a $5 minimum deposit

Cons

  • Clients need to deposit $50,000+ to qualify for the best payouts
  • Binary options are only available on fiat and digital currencies
  • CloseOption is not regulated by a well-regarded trading authority

Videforex

"Videforex will serve traders looking for a no-frills, easy-to-use platform to speculate on the direction of popular financial markets through binaries. With a sign-up process that takes a matter of minutes and a web-accessible platform, getting started is a breeze. "

William Berg William Berg, Reviewer

Videforex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Minimum Deposit$250
Payout %98%
Expiry Times5 seconds - 1 month
Copy TradingYes
PlatformsTradingView
InstrumentsBinary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Pros

  • Videforex is one of the few brokers with 24/7 multilingual video support, providing comprehensive assistance for active traders.
  • Traders can earn up to 98% payouts on 100+ assets with the broker’s binary options, bringing it in line with competitors like IQCent.
  • Videforex regularly runs trading contests, offering practice opportunities and cash prizes to beginners and experienced traders, with position sizes from just ¢0.01.

Cons

  • The client terminal needs improvements based on our latest tests, sporting sometimes slow and unresponsive widgets which could dampen the experience for day traders.
  • The absence of any educational tools is a serious drawback for newer traders who can find blogs, videos and live trading sessions at category leaders.
  • Videforex lacks authorization from a trusted regulator, meaning traders may receive little to zero safeguards like segregated client accounts.

Binarium

"Binarium has been designed with simplicity in mind, featuring a fast, fully digital sign-up process and an intuitive platform and app with 4 chart types and 12 indicators. With binaries spanning 5 minutes to 3 months, it caters to short- and medium-term traders."

William Berg William Berg, Reviewer

Binarium Quick Facts

Minimum Deposit$5
Payout %80%
Copy TradingNo
PlatformsOwn
InstrumentsForex, Stocks, Cryptos
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, AUD, RUB

Pros

  • The $10,000 demo account, deposit-doubling welcome bonus, smooth sign-up, and 24/7 support make for an attractive onboarding experience.
  • Binarium claims to segregate client funds with EU banks, meaning traders’ money should not be misused and providing an important layer of protection, which is especially relevant given its offshore status.
  • Binarium has the best education centre we’ve seen amongst binary options brands, complete with information on core topics like trading basics and account options, plus professional video guides to using the platform.

Cons

  • Binarium has some way to go to match the investment offering of binary firms like Quotex, with a particularly weak selection of around 20 currencies and 3 cryptocurrencies.
  • Payouts of up to 80% are on the low side of binary options platforms based on our evaluations, which may deter traders looking for the possible best returns, though you can get back up to 15% of losing trades.
  • Despite being operational since 2012, Binarium is an unregulated broker with limited transparency on its website, raising safety concerns and potentially putting your capital at risk.

Dukascopy

"If you’re an experienced trader, Dukascopy provides the tools you need: JForex for algorithmic strategies, competitive spreads from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200, and the peace of mind of using a Swiss-regulated bank and broker."

Christian Harris Christian Harris, Reviewer

Dukascopy Quick Facts

Bonus Offer10% Equity Bonus
Minimum Deposit$100
Payout %90%
Expiry Times3 minutes - 1 day
Copy TradingNo
PlatformsJForex, MT4, MT5
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Bonds, Binary Options
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, CZK, AED, SAR, HUF, MXN

Pros

  • Dukascopy is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) as both a broker and a bank, ensuring top-tier financial security and adherence to strict standards.
  • Dukascopy offers tight spreads starting from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200 (depending on the jurisdiction), and volume-based commissions that reward high-frequency traders.
  • The proprietary JForex platform is highly advanced, offering tools for algorithmic trading, extensive charting, and access to deep liquidity for short-term traders.

Cons

  • Dukascopy's withdrawal fees are higher than most competitors we’ve tested, particularly for bank wire transfers, which may deter traders who require frequent access to their funds.
  • While JForex is feature-rich, it has a steep learning curve, making it less suitable for beginner traders who might prefer simpler platforms.
  • While Dukascopy provides some educational resources and 24/7 support, the complexity of its platforms and tools required extensive testing and may overwhelm newer traders.

Binary Options Martingale Trading Strategy Explained

How Does It Work?

The binary options Martingale strategy involves doubling a trade size each time a loss is incurred. Simply explained, investors should double the value of an investment until a win is achieved.

The approach is often likened to gambling in a casino with the hopes of breaking even. In theory, by continually doubling the stake when a loss occurs, a win will eventually occur, so long as you can go the distance.

This system is reliant on a healthy available balance and many binary options traders cannot afford to keep amplifying capital stakes.

Example

Let us consider a simple example to help understand the concept…

Suppose an investor has $100 to invest in binaries and there are two outcomes: A and B. The investor stakes the full $100 on outcome A occurring. However, at the end of the contract, outcome B actually happened, so the trade is lost.

Using the binary options Martingale strategy, the investor would then x2 the trade size and speculate on outcome A occurring again, this time with a $200 investment. Once again, if outcome B occurs, the $200 stake is lost. This process of doubling the trade size would continue until a correct investment is made.

Remember, the size of the winning trade will continue to grow with the size of the investment, so in the best-case scenario, the win would exceed all combined losses of the previous trades.

Let us say the investor wins trade three (a $400 stake). Using this simple example, the investor would achieve a $20 profit, assuming an 80% payout (($400*0.8)-$200-$100)).

Of course, when it comes to binary options trading, there are a few more factors to consider, such as variable payout percentages and brokerage trading fees.

History

The Martingale trading idea originated many years ago, following an introduction by French mathematician Paul Pierre Levy in the 18th century. The concept really caught on within the casino era, when John H. Martingale actively encouraged customers to increase their bets after experiencing losses.

One of the most famous stories involving the Martingale approach is the ‘man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo’. In 1891, Charles Wells successfully implemented the concept. He started playing in the casino with 4,000 francs and made a whopping 1 million francs!

It is worth noting that these kinds of returns are rare and no profits are guaranteed when trading binary options using the Martingale strategy.

Step-By-Step Guide To Trading Binary Options With The Martingale Strategy

  1. Open an account with an established binary options broker such as Quotex, Pocket Option or IQ Option and download the relevant trading terminal. Consider payout percentages when deciding between platforms as these can vary significantly. Make a deposit to your live profile, for example, $1,000.
  2. Decide the investment amount you would like to make for your first trade. Remember, this cannot be your full account balance. Perhaps start with no more than a $50 investment.
  3. Place your first binary options trade. Wait for the contract to expire.
  4. If the trade was successful, you would receive $40 profit (assuming a broker with an 80% payout, $50 x 80%) and your new account balance would be $1,040. If the trade was not successful, you will lose the $50 investment and your new account balance would be $950. Following the Martingale binary options strategy, your next investment value would be $100.
  5. Say you lost this trade too, it is time to increase your next investment amount to $200. Let us assume you win this trade with an 80% payout, meaning a profit of $160.
  6. Considering the previous losses of $50 and $100 your new account balance with the latest profit of $160 would be $1010, meaning a $10 overall profit.
Binary Options Martingale Strategy Doubled-Up Example
Martingale Strategy Used Until A Profit Is Made ($50, Followed By $100)

Pros Of The Binary Options Martingale Strategy

Cons Of The Binary Options Martingale Strategy

Comparison With Other Binary Options Strategies

A quick Google search can show that the binary options Martingale strategy is not the only plan out there. We list some of the top alternatives below so you can decide which is best for your winner’s trading plan and see how they differ.

The Straddle Strategy

Straddle positions are opened before significant company news or press releases. The anticipation is that the price of the associated asset will increase immediately after the announcement if it is a positive or success story and then drop again back to a stable price after a period.

Investors use these swings to profit, whichever the direction of the price movement. This concept requires a lot more time spent studying the market whilst staying up to date with the latest news vs the binary options Martingale strategy. The saddle system requires some smart considerations and planned executions to get the timings right.

Pinocchio Strategy

Similar to the straddle approach, the Pinocchio scheme involves purposely investing against a current trend. For example, if an asset class is experiencing an upward trend, you would purchase a binary options contract expecting the price to drop. A clear understanding of current trends and a historical overview of the asset is important to make this work.

Unlike the binary options Martingale strategy, understanding the price patterns of a product/asset will help you make more considered trades, rather than just focusing on a continuous x2 tactic. Typically, the Martingale approach implies making the same trades in the direction of the primary trend, rather than switching against it.

Hedging

The process of hedging involves purchasing both a call and a put option on the same asset at the same time. This means, whatever the outcome, you should still make money.

This is a similar concept to the binary options Martingale strategy given that investors are confident that profits will be made, though hedging is a much shorter-term approach with a return of some sort guaranteed at the time of contract expiry.

The Anti-Martingale Strategy

As the name suggests, the anti-Martingale binary options strategy is the inverse of the traditional Martingale strategy we outline above. This idea involves reducing each position by half following every lost trade, whilst doubling each trade value following a success.

Essentially, profits are focused upon during a winning streak and losses are minimized during a losing streak.

Binary Options Martingale Strategy Tips

The best binary options Martingale strategy cannot be executed successfully without investors having a solid plan in place. As well as understanding the basics of the theory, we list some of the key factors that will also be important when it comes to using the strategy:

Understand Your Asset/Market

Take the time to research the market and your chosen investment asset. You are more likely to hit a winning stake if you have done thorough research and appropriate learning of recent trends, including price movement analysis and future projected quotes.

Emotional Control

Easier said than done but try to keep your emotions out of it. It is easy to make rash decisions if your trade plan is not following the outcomes you had in your mind. With the binary options Martingale strategy, be prepared for continual losses before, hopefully, a successful trade occurs. It is a concept that requires patience, a level head and a future outlook.

It might be worth setting a worst-case scenario maximum stopping point, perhaps an investment limit that you are not willing to exceed. This will stop you from having to cash out at the worst possible time and ensure you walk away before losses are catastrophic.

Funds To Get Started

The binary options Martingale strategy will work best when you have plenty of capital. When using the system, it might be worth dividing your account balance into smaller chunks. For example, a $1,000 account balance could be split into a $50 initial investment, then $100, $200 and $400 funding amounts ready to invest if a loss occurs.

You may end up losing all your money if you do not have enough funds to make the final investment to recoup your total losses.

Comparing Brokers

We have outlined some key considerations when deciding which broker is the best to execute the binary options Martingale Strategy:

Final Word On The Binary Options Martingale Strategy

The binary options Martingale strategy is risky but it can be rewarding if executed properly with a decent quantity of funds behind you. Use our guide above to create a clear action plan, including appropriate risk management before getting started in a live environment.

FAQs

What Brokers Accept The Martingale Binary Options Strategy?

You can implement the binary options Martingale strategy with almost any broker that offers the type of derivative. Ensure the exchange offers a user-friendly platform, useful trading tools and a competitive payout level to improve your chances of profitability.

Is The Binary Options Martingale Strategy 100% Profitable?

No, a 100% profitable binary options strategy is unfortunately not guaranteed, including when using the Martingale concept. Nonetheless, the idea suggests improved probability chances following a continuous losing streak.

Yes, the Martingale strategy is legal for binary options trading, though this does not mean it is a foolproof concept or should be used instead of other trading plans or tactics. There is no guarantee that profits will offset any losses incurred, so only invest what you can afford to lose.

What Is The Definition Of The Martingale Binary Options Strategy?

The binary options Martingale strategy involves doubling your position size each time a loss is incurred. It is popular with binary options investors given the simplicity of trading on just two outcomes. The approach is commonly referred to as the zero-expectation scenario.

What Are The Key Considerations When Getting Started With The Binary Options Martingale Strategy?

Not only should you consider the expected payoffs but it is also important to find a trusted broker with the relevant tools and educational content to hopefully improve your overall outcome. Also take the time to research your asset. In addition, the binary options Martingale system requires an adequate amount of money to ensure your odds of winning are fulfilled.