Deriv DEX Indices Explained: Are They Worth Trading in 2025?

Deriv recently dropped a new category of synthetic markets: DEX Indices.
I started testing them the day they came out — and to be honest, they’re unlike anything else on the platform.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re wondering whether to add DEX to your trading list (or avoid it completely).

What Exactly Are Deriv DEX Indices?

DEX (Double Exponential Jump) Indices are a fresh batch of synthetic markets from Deriv. They’re not tied to real-world assets like forex or commodities — and they’re not direct copies of Volatility 75, Crash 500, or any other index either.

They behave differently. You won’t find the same kind of rhythm or structure you’ve gotten used to on the older synthetics. The moves are sharp. The reversals are sudden.

One moment you’re floating in a calm range, the next a 2000-point spike hits you out of nowhere.

For example, DEX 600 UP is designed to experience a big upward spike approximately every 10 minutes, while DEX 1500 DOWN tends to have a massive drop in price every 25 minutes.

Between these major movements, the price exhibits smaller fluctuations, creating a dynamic trading environment.

Want to understand how DEX compares to other synthetic markets like Volatility 75 or Step Index?
👉 Read our main synthetic indices guide for a full breakdown.

When Did Deriv Launch DEX Indices?

These went live around August 2023 — slipped quietly into the Deriv X platform. No big fanfare, no announcement banners.

If you trade on Deriv often, you may have seen names like DEX 1500Y, DEX 2000Z, or DEX 600XD pop up in your market list.

They’re easy to miss — but the behavior is worth taking note of.

How Do Deriv Dex Indices Work?

Here’s something most traders miss:

Unlike Crash or Boom which follow tick-based logic, DEX Indices are built using a cryptographically secure random number generator (RNG) that feeds into a market engine designed to mimic real-life market reactions.

What makes DEX unique is that each index has a built-in timing logic.
For example:

• DEX 900 UP simulates frequent small drops — but then fires off a large upward spike every ~900 seconds (roughly every 15 minutes).
• DEX 900 DN does the opposite: small gains, then a major downward crash at similar intervals.

These jumps are hardcoded and predictable in terms of timing — but unpredictable in size. That’s where the edge (or risk) comes in.

📊 Available Deriv DEX Indices

Deriv currently has six DEX indices.

They are divided based on the direction of their major movements and the average interval between these movements:

• DEX 600 UP: Small price drops with major upward spikes every ~10 minutes.
• DEX 600 DOWN: Small gains with major downward drop every ~10 minutes.
• DEX 900 UP: Small gains with major upward spike every ~15 minutes.
• DEX 900 DOWN: Small drops with major downward drop every ~15 minutes.
• DEX 1500 UP: Small drop with major upward spike every ~25 minutes.
• DEX 1500 DOWN: Small gain with major downward drop every ~25 minutes.

These indices are available for trading on the Deriv MT5 platform. You can access them by selecting the Deriv Financial account type and adding the desired DEX index to your market watch list.

💰 Minimum Lot Sizes on DEX Indices

If you’re trading with a small account, good news — DEX Indices allow a minimum lot size of just 0.01.

That’s the same as most synthetic indices on Deriv, and it keeps your risk low while you figure out how each DEX pair behaves.

📌 Key Facts:

• Min lot: 0.01
• Point value: $0.0001 per point
  (so 1,000 points = $0.10, 2,000 points = $0.20)
• Common stop ranges: 1,500 to 3,000 points
  (that’s $0.15–$0.30 risk per trade)

This setup makes DEX indices one of the few markets where you can test real volatility with under $1 per trade — without relying on demo.

🔍 Want to compare lot sizes across all Deriv synthetic indices — not just DEX?
👉 Check out our full guide here: 📏 Lot Sizes on Synthetic Indices

⚠️ But don’t confuse low cost with low risk:

Even at 0.01 lots, one bad spike on DEX 900 DN can wipe $0.50 to $1 if you’re not using a stop-loss.

Start small, keep your TP/SL tight, and always check the current DEX behavior before placing a trade.

🌙 Overnight Swap Fees on DEX Indices

Like most CFDs, holding a DEX trade overnight comes with a swap fee.

Here’s the part that catches many traders off guard:

📌 Deriv charges a negative swap rate of up to -25% annualized, depending on market conditions.

💡 Real Example (from Deriv Europe PDF):

If you open a buy position on DEX 900 UP at 7,326.76:

• Spread = $1.00
• Swap rate = -25%
• Swap fee ≈ $5.09 (per 1 lot)
• Total cost overnight = ~$6.09 or ~0.0831% of position

At 0.01 lots, that’s around $0.06/day — but it adds up fast if you hold trades open over several nights or weekends.

⚠️ Quick Tip:

DEX Indices are designed for short-term volatility.
Holding trades for hours can make sense — holding them for days usually doesn’t.
If you’re swing trading or testing trend behavior, factor in swaps — or your profits can get eaten slowly.

💸 Margin Requirements on DEX Indices

DEX Indices on Deriv are incredibly lightweight when it comes to margin. You can open trades with as little as $0.61 — even with a real account.

At a lot size of 0.01, the average margin needed across all DEX pairs is around $0.60–$0.65 depending on the price.

This means:

• You can trade with small accounts
• You don’t need $100+ just to test one setup
• Leverage works in your favor — but so does discipline

Lot Size	Estimated Margin Required
0.01	~$0.61
0.05	~$3.05
0.10	~$6.10
1.00	~$61.00

🛡️ What’s the Minimum Account Balance You Need To Trade Dex Indices?

While the margin requirement is low, you still need room for drawdowns, swap fees, and trade volatility.

Let’s break it down:

• At 0.01 lot, a 1,000-point move = ~$0.10 gain or loss
• DEX spikes can stretch 2,000 to 5,000 points in one move
• Overnight holding adds ~$0.06–$0.08 in swap fees per day

✅ Recommended Safe Balance per 0.01 Lot:

Scenario	Suggested Balance
Scalping	$3–$5
Short-term (15–30 min)	$5–$10
Holding 1–2 hours	$10–$15
Swing/Overnight	$15–$25+

⚠️ Don’t Trade on Bare Margin Alone

Trading DEX Indices with $1 or $2 might open a position, but it won’t survive a spike or an overnight hold.

If you’re serious about testing setups or compounding a small account, treat margin as the ticket in — not your full risk capital.

📝 How to Open a Dex Indices Trading Account on Deriv

To trade any of the Dex Indices listed above, you’ll need to open a Stadard MT5 account inside your main Deriv profile. Here’s how to do it step by step:

✅ Step-by-Step Guide

1. Go to The Deriv SignUp page and sign up using your email or Google/Facebook login
2. Confirm your email and setup your account details and password
3. Once logged in, go to your Trader’s Hub
4. Under CFDs, click on the ‘Get’ button next to the Financial Account
5. Set your MT5 password (this will be different from your main Deriv password)
6. Your account will be ready instantly — you’ll also receive a login ID for MT5 in your email
7. You can also open a demo version of the account to practice first
8. To start trading, transfer funds from your main Deriv wallet to the Derived MT5 account

🧠 Tip: Use the demo account first to test out different Dex Indices and get comfortable with their speed and movement.

👉 Need visual help with each step? Check out our full guide:
How to Open a Deriv Synthetic Account

📌 My Tips for Trading DEX Indices

⏱️ Master the Timing
DEX Indices don’t move by luck. Each one has built-in spikes — like DEX 900 UP, which fires off a sharp move roughly every 15 minutes. If you’re not watching the clock, you’ll always be on the wrong side of the move.

🛠️ Keep Your Tools Simple
You don’t need fancy indicators. Basic tools like RSI or moving averages can help, but they won’t save a bad entry. Don’t copy someone else’s setup — test your own. What works on screenshots often fails live.

🛡️ Respect the Risk
These spikes are violent. Always use a stop loss and keep your lot size under control. It only takes one bad trade to undo 10 good ones.

🧪 Start on Demo — Always
Don’t get tricked by how “easy” DEX looks. The market is fast, dirty, and unforgiving. Demo it first. Learn the rhythm. Then go live with real understanding — not hope.

👉 Not sure how to set up a demo? Follow this quick guide: 📘 How to Open a Deriv Demo Account (MT5)

🏁 Final Thoughts: Worth a Shot?

DEX Indices are strange — that’s the best word I can use.

They’re not bad. They’re just different. You’ll need to experiment, document behavior, and probably invent new setups if you want to survive here.

If you’ve traded DEX, I’d love to hear what you’ve noticed. Drop a comment below or send screenshots to the team — let’s crowdsource some actual strategy data.

FAQs On Deriv Dex Indices