What is Deriv?
Deriv is a multi-asset online broker established in 1999 that says it serves more than 3 million customers and handles over $700 billion in monthly trading volume. It is best known for its derived (synthetic) indices, which trade around the clock, alongside forex, stocks, indices, commodities, crypto and ETFs. Traders can choose from Deriv MT5, Deriv cTrader, TradingView and Deriv’s own platforms, as shown on the official Deriv website.
Here are the key facts about Deriv (checked against the official Deriv website in October 2026).
| Item | Deriv |
|---|---|
| Established | 1999 |
| Customers | 3M+ worldwide |
| Group licences | BVI FSC, Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, FSC Mauritius, Vanuatu FSC, Labuan FSA |
| Dispute resolution | Registered with The Financial Commission |
| Maximum leverage | Up to 1:1000 on major forex pairs |
| Platforms | Deriv MT5, Deriv cTrader, TradingView, Deriv Trader, Deriv Bot, Deriv App and more |
| Markets | Forex, derived indices, stocks, stock indices, commodities, crypto, ETFs |
| Crypto | 37 instruments with 0% commission |
Deriv notes that its offerings differ by location and jurisdiction, so the platforms and leverage you see may vary by country. Which company serves you is decided when you register, based on where you live. You can check what is available to you on the Deriv registration page.
＼Trading since 1999／
Deriv regulation and client protection
Deriv operates through several licensed companies under a holding company in Guernsey. Its subsidiaries are licensed in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Mauritius, Vanuatu and Labuan in Malaysia, and the group is registered with The Financial Commission for dispute resolution. The full list is published on the Deriv regulatory page.
Here are the Deriv companies and authorities named on the official website (checked in October 2026).
| Company | Authority | Company no. |
|---|---|---|
| Deriv (BVI) Ltd | British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission | 1841206 |
| Deriv Investments (Cayman) Limited | Cayman Islands Monetary Authority | 406695 |
| Deriv (Mauritius) Ltd | Financial Services Commission, Mauritius (investment dealer) | 209524 |
| Deriv (V) Ltd | Vanuatu Financial Services Commission | 014556 |
| Deriv (FX) Ltd | Labuan Financial Services Authority | LL13394 |
| Deriv.com Limited | Holding company, Guernsey | 71479 |
Having several licences gives Deriv a broad legal footprint, but all of these are offshore or mid-tier jurisdictions rather than the UK, EU or Australia. The regulatory page does not describe client fund protection in detail, so read the terms for your company before depositing. A long track record since 1999 is reassuring, and you can review the terms during sign-up on the Deriv account opening page.
What Deriv does well
Deriv stands out for its range of platforms and products. Beyond MT5 and cTrader, it offers Deriv Trader for options, Deriv Bot for automated strategies without coding, and derived indices that simulate market movements and trade every day. It has won several 2025 and 2026 awards, including “Best Trading Conditions – Global” from Finance Magnates, as listed on the Deriv website.
Here are the strengths Deriv highlights, summarised in plain terms.
| Strength | What it means for traders |
|---|---|
| Long track record | Established in 1999 with more than 3 million customers |
| Platform choice | Deriv MT5, Deriv cTrader, TradingView, Deriv Trader, Deriv Bot and more |
| Derived indices | Synthetic markets that trade around the clock |
| Wide market range | Forex, stocks, indices, commodities, crypto and ETFs |
| Zero-commission crypto | 37 crypto instruments with 0% commission |
| Recognition | Awards from Ultimate Fintech, Global Forex Awards and Finance Magnates (2025-2026) |
This variety suits traders who want to try different styles, from forex CFDs on MT5 to options and automated bots. The flip side is that the many platforms can be confusing at first, and conditions differ between them. A free demo on the Deriv demo account page is the easiest way to explore.
＼Free demo and live accounts／
Deriv trading conditions
On Deriv MT5 and Deriv cTrader, Deriv offers around 70 forex instruments with leverage up to 1:1000 on major pairs, plus micro contracts for smaller trade sizes. Spreads are variable and listed per instrument as a minimum spread and a target spread. The figures are published on the Deriv trading specifications page, with a note that they may not reflect today’s exact conditions.
Here are the main Deriv trading conditions (checked against the official website in October 2026).
| Item | Deriv |
|---|---|
| Platforms for CFDs | Deriv MT5, Deriv cTrader, TradingView |
| Forex instruments | About 70 |
| Leverage on major forex pairs | Up to 1:1000 |
| Contract sizes | Standard (100,000) and micro (1,000) |
| Crypto leverage | 1:50 to 1:400 depending on the coin |
| Crypto commission | 0% |
Leverage and spreads at Deriv vary by instrument, so check the specification table for the exact symbol you plan to trade. Some pairs, such as exotic crosses, carry much lower leverage than the majors. You can see the live conditions inside your platform after registering on the Deriv registration page.
＼Up to 1:1000 on major pairs／
Deriv promotions
Deriv’s promotions page lists offers such as a 20% trading credit on the first deposit to Deriv MT5 (up to $100), free demo trading competitions with real cash prizes, and spreads cut by 50% on selected derived indices during set hours. These appear under a past promotions heading, so whether they are running at a given time can change. The latest status is on the Deriv promotions page.
Here are the Deriv promotions shown on the official website in October 2026.
| Promotion | Details |
|---|---|
| First deposit credit | 20% trading credit on Deriv MT5, up to $100, with no minimum volume requirement |
| Trading competitions | Free demo competitions with real cash prizes |
| Spread advantage hours | 50% lower spreads on selected derived indices during set time windows |
Check the current terms before relying on any of these offers, because Deriv lists them as past promotions on its page. Demo competitions are a low-risk way to win real cash without depositing. Our sister site FXBonus tracks Deriv bonuses and promotions, and you can join the current ones after registering on the Deriv registration page.
Crypto trading at Deriv
Deriv offers 37 crypto instruments as CFDs on TradingView, Deriv MT5 and Deriv cTrader, and as options on Deriv Trader and Deriv Bot. Crypto trades carry 0% commission, and leverage ranges from 1:50 to 1:400 depending on the coin. Crypto trades from Sunday to Saturday with only short daily breaks, as listed on the Deriv cryptocurrencies page.
Here are the crypto trading conditions at Deriv (checked in October 2026).
| Item | Deriv |
|---|---|
| Crypto instruments | 37 |
| Products | CFDs (TradingView, MT5, cTrader) and options (Deriv Trader, Deriv Bot) |
| Leverage | 1:50 to 1:400 |
| Commission | 0% |
| Trading hours | Sunday 00:00 to Saturday 24:00 GMT, with short daily breaks |
Deriv’s crypto page mentions swap-free trading, but its table also shows overnight swap values, so check the swap terms for your account type. Our sister site CryptoArmy looks at Deriv crypto trading in more detail. You can trade crypto from the account you open on the Deriv registration page.
bestfx verdict on Deriv
Deriv is a good fit for traders who want variety: derived indices, options, bots, crypto and forex under one account, backed by a history going back to 1999. Its licences are spread across offshore and mid-tier jurisdictions, and conditions vary by platform and country, which takes some time to understand. For curious traders who like to experiment, Deriv is worth comparing on the official Deriv website.
Here is a summary of the pros and cons of Deriv.
| Points | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Since 1999; 3M+ customers; derived indices; MT5, cTrader, TradingView and own platforms; 37 crypto instruments with 0% commission; up to 1:1000 on major forex |
| Cons | Offshore and mid-tier licences; conditions vary by platform and country; promotions listed as past offers |
We suggest starting with Deriv MT5 if you already know MetaTrader, or Deriv Trader if you want to try options. Test derived indices on a demo first, because they behave differently from real markets. Opening an account is free on the Deriv registration page.
＼Free account opening／
Deriv FAQ
Is Deriv regulated?
Yes, Deriv’s subsidiaries are licensed by authorities in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Mauritius, Vanuatu and Labuan. The group is also registered with The Financial Commission for dispute resolution. The company numbers are listed on the Deriv regulatory page.
What are derived indices?
Derived indices are synthetic markets created by Deriv that simulate price movements and are not tied to real-world assets. They trade around the clock, including weekends, which makes them popular with traders who want to trade at any time. Their specifications are on the Deriv website.
What is the maximum leverage at Deriv?
Major forex pairs on Deriv MT5 and cTrader go up to 1:1000, while some exotic pairs are lower. Crypto ranges from 1:50 to 1:400 depending on the coin. You can see the exact leverage per symbol after registering on the Deriv registration page.
Which platforms does Deriv offer?
Deriv offers Deriv MT5, Deriv cTrader and TradingView for CFDs, plus Deriv Trader, Deriv Bot, SmartTrader and the Deriv App. Deriv Bot lets you build automated strategies without coding. All platforms can be tried with a free Deriv demo account.
Facts on this page were checked against the official Deriv website in October 2026.
