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Deriv Review 2024

Written By

Christian Harris

Written By

Christian Harris

Christian is a seasoned journalist with decades of experience. He transitioned from tech journalism to finance to follow his interest in investing. He has been trading stocks, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies for more than 5 years, becoming an eToro Popular Investor. With hands-on expertise across various assets, he offers valuable trading insights.

» Christian Harris Profile Page

Edited By

James Barra

Edited By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

» James Barra Profile Page

Fact Checked By

Jemma Grist

Fact Checked By

Jemma Grist

Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.

» Jemma Grist Profile Page

Updated

Nov 12, 2024

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Overall Rating

4.6 / 5

Deriv is #2 in our binary options broker rankings.

Customer Reviews (3)

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Customer Reviews

Regulation & Trust

3.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking

4 / 5

Assets & Markets

4.8 / 5

Fees & Costs

3.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools

4.5 / 5

Customer Support

3.8 / 5

Minimum Deposit $5

Trading Platforms Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView

Instruments CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs

Regulators MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP

Payment Options Neteller, Visa, Skrill, WebMoney, FasaPay, Perfect Money, Diners Club, Banxa, Paytrust, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, JCB Card, Sticpay, Trustly, Volet, Paysafecard, AstroPay, Maestro, Airtm, Boleto, JetonCash, Przelewy24, Bitcoin Payments

Awards

• Most Trusted Broker 2024 - Ultimate Fintech Global Awards
• Best Trading Experience LATAM 2024 - Ultimate Fintech Global Awards
• Best LATAM Region Broker 2024 - Ultimate Fintech Global Awards
• Best Customer Service 2024 - Global Forex Awards

Pros

• Although response times trail alternatives in our personal experience, Deriv offers 24/7 support and is one of the few brokers to offer WhatsApp assistance.
• Deriv stands out with its innovative products, from multipliers and derived indices to its addition of accumulator options, providing exclusive short-term trading opportunities.
• Account funding is a breeze with a very low minimum deposit of $5 and a huge selection of payment options, plus Tether was added to the cashier in 2023.

Cons

• While the Academy launched in 2021 is a step in the right direction, there is limited education on advanced trading topics for seasoned traders and no live webinars to upskill new traders.
• Apart from the MFSA in the EU, Deriv lacks top-tier regulatory credentials, reducing the level of safeguards like access to investor compensation.
• Although there’s a basic blog, there's little in terms of technical analysis or market reports which could help active traders identify potential opportunities.

This review of Deriv.com evaluates the day trading experience, drawing on the multiple rounds of personal tests we’ve been conducting since 2017.

Regulation & Trust

Pros

Cons

Deriv.com earns a reasonable trust score. On the one hand, it’s got over two decades of industry clout, picked up multiple awards in 2024 alone, while it launched Deriv Prime in 2023, strengthening its institutional liquidity offering.

But on the other, the broker has only secured authorization from one ‘green tier’ body (MFSA) in DayTrading.com’s Regulation & Trust Rating, limiting the level of investor safeguards for retail traders outside of the European Union.

When you consider these factors alongside the fact it’s not listed on a public stock exchange, Deriv can’t rival the most regulated brokers, such as IG and XTB.

You can open an account with one of these six entities, depending on your location and preferred instruments:

• Deriv Investments (Europe) Ltd is licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). ‘Green tier’.
• Deriv (FX) Ltd is licensed by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA). ‘Orange tier’.
• Deriv (BVI) Ltd is licensed by the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC). ‘Red tier’.
• Deriv (V) Ltd is licensed by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC). ‘Red tier’.
• Deriv (Mauritius) Ltd is licensed by the Financial Services Commission, Mauritius (FSC). ‘Red tier’.
• Deriv (SVG) LLC is an unregulated entity incorporated in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVGFSA). ‘Red tier’.

Accounts & Banking

Pros

Cons

Live Accounts

Deriv provides various account types depending on whether you want to trade options or CFDs:

1. Deriv Trader: Suitable for trading options and multipliers. With a simple interface, you can access various assets, including forex, commodities, and indices. There’s a minimum stake of $0.50 and potential payouts of over 200%.
2. Deriv Bot: Allows you to create and deploy trading bots for automated trading strategies. It is designed for traders who prefer algorithmic trading and want to automate their trading processes without needing extensive coding knowledge.
3. SmartTrader: A legacy options trading platform with similar features to Deriv Trader.
4. Deriv Go: A mobile app (iOS and Android) for trading multipliers and accumulators, released in 2021 to reflect the growing trend towards on-the-go trading.
5. Deriv MT5: MetaTrader 5 traders have a choice of five account types. ‘Standard’ is the most popular and includes all instruments, fixed leverage, and spreads from 0.1 pips. ‘Financial’ reduces the number of instruments and increases spreads from 0.2 pips. ‘Swap-Free’ doesn’t charge overnight fees but increases swaps from 0.3 pips. ‘Zero Spread’ reduces spreads to 0 pips on many instruments but removes stocks and ETFs.
6. Deriv cTrader: An account specifically for trading CFDs using the cTrader platform. All instruments are available, leverage is fixed, and spreads start from 0.5 pips. cTrader Copy is also supported for automatically copying the trades of other traders.
7. Deriv X: An account specifically for trading CFDs with TradingView integration added in 2023. All instruments are available, leverage is fixed, and spreads start from 0.5 pips.

To open a live account, I first registered using my email address and a password. My email address had to be verified before I could proceed. I appreciated the convenience of social login options (Google, Facebook, or Apple).

Email verification was required to proceed, but phone number verification was not mandatory. I then uploaded the necessary Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Residence (POR) documents to complete verification.

The approval process was efficient, taking less than 24 hours. There’s support for two-factor authentication (2FA), but I had to activate it manually.

I could select an account type that aligned with my trading preferences but was left incredulous by being unable to alter leverage, which is fixed between 1:30 and 1:1000 depending on your region and the instrument you are trading.

Christian Harris

Author

Demo Accounts

Unlike many brokers that restrict demo accounts to specific platforms or account types, Deriv.com provides demo accounts for all its platforms, allowing you to experiment with various trading tools and assets without financial risk.

Creating a demo account is straightforward. Upon account creation, you’ll be provided with a $10,000 virtual balance. This balance can be modified to suit your practice needs, whether you prefer a smaller or larger starting amount.

Deposits & Withdrawals

Deriv offers many deposit and withdrawal options for different trader preferences and regions. For deposits, you can fund your GBP, USD, or EUR base accounts using major credit and debit cards, such as Visa/Mastercard/Maestro/Diners Club, which provide an instant and convenient option.

E-wallets like Perfect Money, Skrill, and Neteller are also available, allowing quick transactions. Additionally, direct bank transfers can be used, although they may take longer to process compared to other methods.

In certain jurisdictions, Deriv accepts deposits in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT), catering to the growing demand for digital currency transactions.

Regarding withdrawals, Deriv lets you transfer funds back using the same methods used for deposits, maintaining convenience. E-wallets again provide a faster withdrawal option, often processed within minutes. You can also withdraw funds via direct bank transfer, which may take several days to complete.

Like many brokers, Deriv typically does not charge deposit fees, but withdrawal fees may apply based on the chosen method and regional regulations.

Assets & Markets

Pros

Cons

Deriv offers a relatively small but growing array of 100+ instruments across global markets. The platform provides access to CFDs on 40+ forex pairs (e.g., EUR/USD and GBP/USD), 10+ major stock indices (e.g., Dow Jones and DAX), 60+ US and EU stocks (e.g., Tesla and BMW), 10+ commodities (e.g., WTI Oil, Gold and Silver), 40+ cryptocurrencies (e.g. Bitcoin and Ethereum), 30+ US ETFs (e.g. DIA and GLD), and its signature synthetic indices.

While many brokers offer a similar selection of CFDs, Deriv stands out with its custom derived indices and its Multi Step Indices iteration added in 2024. These indices are powered by a secure random number generator and mimic real market volatility without being influenced by actual market events.

Unlike standard indices, synthetic indices are available 24/7, making them suitable for traders who want continuous trading opportunities outside traditional market hours.

Deriv also caters to more advanced trading strategies by offering options and multipliers. Options allow you to profit from predicting asset price movements without owning the asset, a common feature among brokers like Interactive Brokers.

There are also accumulator options, particularly suitable for short-term traders who aim to profit within specific price ranges on volatility indices. This feature is not widely available across other trading platforms.

Additionally, Deriv’s multipliers function similarly to margin trading by leveraging your positions, increasing both profit potential and risk. However, unlike traditional leverage, Deriv’s multipliers cap potential losses to the amount initially invested, providing a risk-limiting advantage over typical leveraged CFD trading on platforms like Plus500.

Fees & Costs

Pros

Cons

Deriv’s fee structure is reasonably competitive, particularly for a broker offering diverse trading instruments and platforms.

One of the main attractions of Deriv is its low minimum deposit requirement of just $5, allowing you to start with a smaller capital outlay than some brokers like IC Markets which requires $200.

Deriv typically has average spreads, especially on major forex pairs. However, it’s worth noting that the floating spreads may widen for less liquid instruments or during volatile market conditions.

In contrast, many top-tier brokers offer fixed or even zero spreads but at potentially higher overall trading costs due to commissions. Deriv does not charge commissions on many of its trading accounts, which is appealing if you prefer straightforward pricing.

Another aspect to consider is the currency conversion fees that may apply when funding accounts in a different currency other than the supported base currencies. Deriv charges these fees, which can add up when dealing with multiple currencies.

Other brokers like eToro might offer more favorable terms regarding currency conversions, potentially saving you money.

It’s also worth noting that Deriv charges a $25 dormant account fee every six months after 12 months of inactivity, though this shouldn’t sting active day traders.

Platforms & Tools

Pros

Cons

Deriv provides at least seven platforms tailored to different trading needs, among the widest selections we’ve encountered, with MT5 web trader the latest offering.

Deriv Trader is Deriv’s proprietary, web-based platform. It offers a simple interface for trading multipliers and accumulator options on forex, cryptocurrencies, and 24/7 derived indices.

Deriv Go is the equivalent for mobile devices. The legacy SmartTrader platform is also still available.

Deriv Bot provides a drag-and-drop bot-building tool for traders interested in automation. It allows strategy creation without programming skills, a unique feature that simplifies algorithmic trading for newcomers.

For traditional CFD trading, Deriv supports MT5, a well-established platform for advanced analysis and Expert Advisors (EAs), alongside cTrader for a more intuitive trading environment for advanced traders seeking specialized order types and robust automation.

The welcomed addition of TradingView support provides access to advanced charting tools, community-driven insights, and extensive technical analysis.

MT5, cTrader and TradingView can all be used on a desktop or mobile device via dedicated apps.

There are no exclusive copy trading features, but Deriv supports copy trading through cTrader Copy. It’s great to see this feature supported because many brokers support the cTrader platform but not the copy trading functionality for a hands-off trading experience.

My biggest gripe with cTrader Copy is that many high-risk strategies burn accounts quickly, and cTrader needs to assign risk scores to help advise potential investors of their volatility.

Deriv does not offer a Virtual Private Server (VPS) service, which may be a limitation for traders who rely on continuous, high-speed connections for automated trading strategies, particularly on platforms like MT5.

Many brokers like FOREX.com provide a VPS for free or at a discounted rate for active traders, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of automated systems like EAs.

Without an in-house VPS option, Deriv.com traders interested in automation would need to obtain an external VPS, which requires additional setup and can add extra costs.

Research

Pros

Cons

New traders should be aware of Deriv’s considerable limitations in its research tools.

While the broker provides a blog, there are no advanced research features, such as in-depth fundamental analysis or extensive market reports, to help short-term traders understand broader market conditions.

Additionally, Trading Central or Autochartist do not offer chart analysis and trading signals. Other brokers, including IC Markets and TopFX, offer these third-party tools and can help develop individual analytical skills.

Economic calendars are offered by the cTrader and MetaTrader platforms, which are useful for providing context for important events, but there is no trading calculator to help calculate pips, margin, spread, and commission.

Education

Pros

Cons

Deriv offers a range of educational materials designed to assist new traders in understanding the markets and developing their trading skills. These resources aim to provide foundational knowledge as well as practical trading strategies.

One of the standout features is the Academy, launched in 2021, which provides registered users with written and video tutorials covering various trading topics, from basic concepts to more advanced forex strategies.

Training materials on the MetaTrader platform and downloadable e-books on basic trading concepts are also available.

While the content is relatively basic and lacks the professionalism of IG‘s content, this structured approach allows beginners to learn at their own pace and builds a foundation for trading.

On the downside, the quality and coverage of educational materials can vary, meaning some specific topics may need to be more represented or detailed.

Furthermore, there are no live analysis webinars or Q&A sessions with trading experts to provide an interactive way for clients to gain insights and ask questions directly.

Customer Support

Pros

Cons

Whenever I’ve needed assistance with my trading on Deriv.com, the customer support options have been quite helpful and accessible.

I always start by checking the extensive FAQ section, which covers various topics, from account setup to trading strategies. It has been clear and informative, allowing me to resolve some of my questions without contacting support directly.

If I require more personalized help, I can contact the customer support team through live chat or WhatsApp. I appreciate that both options are available directly within my client dashboard, allowing me to get real-time assistance without navigating away from my trading activities.

In my experience, the representatives are responsive and knowledgeable, addressing my concerns efficiently. However, I have had to wait over 10 minutes for a connection on a few occasions.

Unfortunately, Deriv doesn’t offer phone support, which can be helpful for more detailed inquiries.

I’ve also noticed that Deriv has a community forum and a presence on social media platforms, where the brokers provide updates and respond to queries. This multi-channel approach makes staying informed and connected with the platform more accessible.

One potential improvement would be to offer localized direct telephone support or a call-back similar to the service provided by ActivTrades.

Should You Day Trade With Deriv.com?

Deriv provides a solid range of trading instruments and platforms, making it suitable for beginners and experienced day traders.

However, there are some potential downsides to consider. While Deriv features low fees and multiple deposit and withdrawal options, certain advanced features, like multipliers, come with higher risks that may only be appropriate for some traders.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Deriv lacks ‘green tier’ regulation for traders outside of the European Union, which should concern traders who prioritize oversight and robust protection in their trading activities.

Ultimately, if you value innovative trading opportunities through its derived indices, options, accumulators and multipliers, Deriv might be a good fit for you.

Using demo accounts to practice and familiarize yourself with the platform is advisable before committing to real funds.

FAQ

Is Deriv Legit Or A Scam?

Deriv is a well-established trading platform with over two decades of experience, having first launched in 1999.

Its longevity in the market, new offices in London and Rwanda in 2024, plus extensive global user base help speak to its reliability.

Is Deriv A Regulated Broker?

Deriv is a regulated broker and operates under the oversight of several financial authorities across various jurisdictions. However, only the FSA in Malta is considered ‘green tier’ in our Regulation & Trust Rating.

Furthermore, the regulatory status of the entity a client interacts with varies depending on their location and the specific instruments they choose to trade.

Client funds are held in segregated accounts, separate from the firm’s operational funds, and the Malta FSA-regulated entity offers negative balance protection.

Is Deriv Suitable For Beginners?

Deriv can be suitable for beginners due to its user-friendly platforms and low minimum deposit requirements. The platform offers a simplified way to trade binary options and flexible account types that allow beginners to start small.

However, some instruments, like synthetic indices and multipliers, can carry higher risks and may only be ideal for complete novices with experience in risk management.

Does Deriv Offer Low Fees?

Deriv generally offers competitive fees, particularly with its low deposit requirements and spreads on popular assets like forex pairs.

Deriv doesn’t charge commissions either, and swap-free trading keeps costs lower than other brokers for frequent and swing traders.

However, specific instruments and leveraged products, such as synthetic indices and multipliers, may incur higher trading costs due to spread adjustments.

The products offered on the Deriv.com website include binary options, contracts for difference (“CFDs”) and other complex derivatives. Trading binary options may not be suitable for everyone. Trading CFDs carries a high level of risk since leverage can work both to your advantage and disadvantage. As a result, the products offered on the website may not be suitable for all investors because of the risk of losing all of your invested capital. You should never invest money that you cannot afford to lose, and never trade with borrowed money. Before trading in the complex products offered, please be sure to understand the risks involved.

Top 3 Alternatives to Deriv

Compare Deriv with the top 3 similar brokers that accept traders from your location.

1. World Forex – World Forex is an offshore broker registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines, offering commission-free trading with a $1 minimum deposit and 1:1000 leverage. Digital contracts are also available, offering beginners a straightforward way to speculate on popular financial markets.
   Go to World Forex
2. Videforex – Launched in 2017, Videforex offers access to stock, index, crypto, forex and commodities markets via binary options and CFDs. The proprietary platform, mobile app and integrated copy trading are user-friendly and will suit new and casual traders, and the market analysis tools and trading contests provide good ways to improve your trading skills.
   Go to Videforex
3. RaceOption – RaceOption is a binary options broker operating from the Marshall Islands. With over 1,500 clients, the broker aims to offer fast funding, low fees and a secure trading environment. Traders can access over 100 binary options and CFDs, plus copy trading and weekly prizes.
   Go to RaceOption

Deriv Comparison Table

Compare Trading Instruments

Compare the markets and instruments offered by Deriv and its competitors. Please note, some markets may only be available via CFDs or other derivatives.

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