⏱️ When to Trade Each Volatility Index on Deriv — Data-Driven Session Map

best time to trade volatility indices
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Yes, Volatility Indices on Deriv trade 24/7, but they don’t behave the same all the time. Across our data sample (Nov 2024–May 2025), each index showed clear session peaks—mirroring active US, London, and Asia periods.

In this guide, I’m sharing exactly when each of the 15 volatility indices tends to move the most—and when they go quiet. No guesswork—this is six months of real 30‑minute range data converted to USD, session by session. You can use this to tailor your trading to the right window for each index.

Methodology Snapshot

  1. Pulled M1 candles for all 15 indices → resampled into 30-minute bars.
  2. Converted each bar to USD swings at minimum lot size.
  3. Grouped by session:
    • Asia (00:00–08:00 GMT+2)
    • London (08:00–16:00)
    • US Overlap (16:00–24:00)
  4. Calculated median USD volatility per session, then ranked each index for fastest and calmest periods.



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Account Types: 6

Overall Rating4/5

Read Review OPEN AN ACCOUNT

Min Deposit: USD 1

Total Pairs: 100+

Regulators: MFSA, LFSA, VFSC, BVIFSC

Trading Platforms:
Deriv Go,
Deriv X,
cTrader

Islamic Account: Yes

Crypto: Yes

Trading Fees: Low

Account Types: 6

Final Session Speed Matrix — Best Times to Trade Volatility Indices on Deriv

Volatility IndexAsia (00–08)London (08–16)US Overlap (16–24)
V250 (1s)$20.41 (02h)$20.84 (12h)$21.04 (03h) → US
V100 (Normal)$10.39 (06h)$10.58 (10h) → London$10.58 (10h)
V25 (1s)$9.06 (07h) → Asia$8.81 (13h)$9.06 (19h) → US
V50 (1s)$6.70 (05h) → Asia$6.67 (14h)$6.70 (05h)
V90 (1s)$4.71 (10h) → Asia$4.71 (10h)$4.71 (10h)
V100 (1s)$4.82 (06h) → Asia$4.82 (11h) → London$4.82 (20h) → US
V10 (1s)$5.39 (08h) → Asia$5.39 (08h) → London$5.39 (23h) → US
V75 (1s)$3.02 (04h) → Asia$2.96 (13–17h) → London$2.96 (16–17h)
V150 (1s)$1.47 (06h) → Asia$1.45 (07h)$1.45 (17h) → US
V75 (Normal)$0.92 (06h) → Asia$0.92 (14h) → London$0.92 (23h) → US
V15 (1s)$0.50 (08h) → Asia$0.50 (12–13h) → London$0.50 (19h) → US
V30 (1s)$0.52 (04h) → Asia$0.52 (07h)$0.52 (19h) → US
V10 (Normal)$0.39 (04h) → Asia$0.38 (08h) → London$0.38 (20h) → US
V25 (Normal)$0.36 (04h / 08h) → Asia$0.36 (08h) → London$0.36 (19h) → US
V50 (Normal)$0.11 (Asia + Europe) → Asia$0.11 (Europe/London) → London$0.09 (Late US)

👉 Choosing the right lot size also matters when trading Volatility Indices — it directly affects your risk and profit potential. If you want to see the exact minimum lot sizes for all Volatility Indices, plus the real dollar value per point movement, check out our full Volatility Indices Lot Size & Dollar Value Guide.

Best Volatility Indices to Trade — Session by Session

👉 One of the biggest mistakes I see is traders trying to trade every index, all the time. The truth is — each volatility index has its own rhythm, and some shine during specific sessions.

Instead of forcing trades 24/7, it’s smarter to align your trading with the times when your chosen index is naturally more active.

Here’s a clear breakdown — by session — of which indices tend to move best, and when. This is based on six months of hourly volatility data I analyzed, so you’re not guessing.

Asian Session (00:00–08:00 GMT+2) — Smooth Early Movers

👉 During the Asian session, volatility is generally lighter — but several indices still offer good opportunities:

IndexPeak Hour (Asia)Median USD Swing
V250 (1s)02h$20.41
V100 (1s)06h$4.82
V90 (1s)10h → starts ramping in late Asia$4.71
V10 (1s)08h$5.39
V75 (1s)04h$3.02
V150 (1s)06h$1.47
V75 (Normal)06h$0.92
V15 (1s)08h$0.50
V30 (1s)04h$0.52
V10 (Normal)04h$0.39
V25 (Normal)04h / 08h$0.36
V50 (Normal)Full Asia$0.11

👉 Summary:
✅ Asia is a strong session for V250 (1s) and V10 (1s) scalpers.
✅ V75 (1s) and V75 (Normal) both move respectably → good for testing swing setups.
✅ Slower indices like V50 Normal are ideal for beginners.

London Session (08:00–16:00 GMT+2) — Prime Swing Window

👉 The London session sees consistent trend development across many indices:

IndexPeak Hour (London)Median USD Swing
V250 (1s)12h$20.84
V100 (Normal)10h$10.58
V25 (1s)13h$8.81
V50 (1s)14h$6.67
V100 (1s)11h$4.82
V75 (1s)13h$2.96
V75 (Normal)14h$0.92
V15 (1s)12–13h$0.50
V30 (1s)07h (just before London open)$0.52
V10 (1s)08h$5.39
V10 (Normal)08h$0.38
V25 (Normal)08h$0.36
V50 (Normal)Europe hours$0.11

👉 Summary:
✅ London is the sweet spot for swing trading on most indices — this is when trends often develop cleanly.
✅ V100 Normal and V250 (1s) shine for aggressive trend scalping and swing.
✅ Beginners can work on V10 Normal, V25 Normal, V50 Normal safely.

US Overlap (16:00–23:59 GMT+2) — Scalping Powerhouse

👉 The US Overlap session delivers the highest volatility across the board — ideal for scalping and fast trend plays:

IndexPeak Hour (US Overlap)Median USD Swing
V250 (1s)03h → late ramp continues$21.04
V100 (Normal)10h → peak sustained into US$10.58
V25 (1s)19h$9.06
V50 (1s)05h → US Overlap sustained$6.70
V90 (1s)10h → sustained$4.71
V100 (1s)20h$4.82
V10 (1s)23h$5.39
V75 (1s)16–17h$2.96
V150 (1s)17h$1.45
V75 (Normal)23h$0.92
V15 (1s)19h$0.50
V30 (1s)19h$0.52
V10 (Normal)20h$0.38
V25 (Normal)19h$0.36
V50 (Normal)Late US → $0.09

👉 Summary:
US Overlap is the #1 session for scalping most fast indices: V250 (1s), V100 (1s), V25 (1s), V90 (1s).
✅ V75 (1s) and V75 (Normal) also move nicely for those preferring swing entries.
✅ Slower movers remain safe but tradable for newer traders.

Final Notes:

👉 No matter your style:
Scalpers → US Overlap is your prime window.
Swing traders → London gives the cleanest trend setups.
Testing & slow build → Asia is the friendliest session for learning.

👉 Every index has its “natural rhythm” — trade it when it moves best.

Which Volatility Indices Move Best — Day by Day

👉 Most traders focus on time of day — but which day of the week you trade matters just as much.

Over six months of data, I found clear patterns: some volatility indices move best on certain days, while others stay flat or choppy. Trading an index on its strongest day can massively improve your edge — especially if you combine it with the right session.

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you plan your week — so you’re trading each index when it naturally moves best.

Monday

IndexRanking on MondayAverage USD Swing
V250 (1s)Second Best Day$20.65
V150 (1s)Second Best Day$1.44
V10 (1s)Second Best Day$5.28
V25 (Normal)Second Best Day$0.35
V30 (1s)Best Day$0.50
V10 (Normal)Second Best Day$0.37
V50 (1s)Second Best Day$6.57

👉 Comment: Good day for early-week swing setups on V30 (1s), V50 (1s), V250 (1s).

Tuesday

IndexRanking on TuesdayAverage USD Swing
V250 (1s)Best Day$20.92
V90 (1s)Second Best Day$4.66
V100 (1s)Second Best Day$4.72
V75 (Normal)Best Day$0.91
V15 (1s)Second Best Day$0.49
V30 (1s)Second Best Day$0.50
V25 (Normal)Second Best Day$0.34

👉 Comment: Very strong day — one of the best for trading volatility indices across the board.

Wednesday

IndexRanking on WednesdayAverage USD Swing
V50 (1s)Second Best Day$6.66
V75 (1s)Third place (very close to Thursday)$2.92
V10 (1s)Second Best Day$5.20
V150 (1s)Second Best Day$1.40
V10 (Normal)Second Best Day$0.37

👉 Comment: Good midweek for V50 (1s), V10 (1s), V150 (1s) — worth targeting.

Thursday

IndexRanking on ThursdayAverage USD Swing
V50 (1s)Best Day$6.68
V10 (1s)Best Day$5.31
V75 (1s)Best Day$2.95
V100 (Normal)Second Best Day$10.40
V150 (1s)Third Best Day$1.35
V15 (1s)Second Best Day$0.49

👉 Comment: One of the strongest days — great for scalping and trend trades on fast movers.

Friday

IndexRanking on FridayAverage USD Swing
V100 (Normal)Best Day$10.59
V75 (1s)Second Best Day$2.93
V10 (Normal)Second Best Day$0.37
V10 (1s)Third Best Day$5.18
V25 (1s)Third Best Day$8.81
V90 (1s)Fifth Best Day$4.60

👉 Comment: Solid close to the week — V100 (Normal) shines.

Saturday

IndexRanking on SaturdayAverage USD Swing
V25 (1s)Second Best Day$8.84
V150 (1s)Second Best Day$1.45
V15 (1s)Best Day$0.50
V10 (Normal)Best Day$0.38
V25 (Normal)Best Day$0.35

👉 Comment: Great weekend scalping — V15 (1s), V25 Normal are very safe to trade. They are also good for binary options.

Sunday

IndexRanking on SundayAverage USD Swing
V250 (1s)Second Best Day$20.91
V25 (1s)Best Day$8.90
V90 (1s)Best Day$4.71
V100 (1s)Best Day$4.75
V150 (1s)Best Day$1.46
V75 (1s)Tied (~3rd Best)$2.89
V10 (Normal)Second Best Day$0.37
V25 (Normal)Second Best Day$0.35

👉 Comment: One of the strongest days across many indices — great opportunity to trade on Sunday.

Final Notes:

👉 If you’re a day-based trader, this table gives you an instant edge:
✅ Focus on your index on its best days.
✅ Trade other days with caution or reduced size.
✅ Over time, you’ll notice patterns that repeat week after week.

👉 Many traders under-utilize day-of-week edges — but this data proves they matter.

👉 Best Time to Trade Synthetic Indices on Deriv
→ A complete guide on the best times to trade all synthetic indices — including Boom, Crash, Step, and Range Break — alongside volatility indices.

Most Volatile Volatility Indices on Deriv
→ Discover which volatility indices move the most — and how to trade them safely and effectively.

🐢 Least Volatile Volatility Indices on Deriv
→ If you prefer smoother, more controlled markets, here’s a guide to the slowest-moving volatility indices.

📦 How To Trade Volatility Indices on Deriv
→ A complete beginner-to-advanced guide for trading volatility indices — including platforms, lot sizes, and strategy tips.

⚖️ Lot Sizes For Synthetic Indices
→ Check the minimum lot sizes for all synthetic indices — an essential reference for risk management and small account traders.

Conclusion

👉 What is the best day — and best time — to trade volatility indices? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Each index has its own rhythm, and the smart move is to align your trading with its natural strengths — whether that’s scalping V250 (1s) during US Overlap, or swing trading V75 (Normal) on Tuesdays.

This guide is based on six months of data, but volatility patterns do evolve — I’ll be updating this post periodically to reflect the latest trends and movement shifts. Check back often to stay aligned with the most current timing edges.

👉 Now I’d love to hear from you:
Which session or day works best for your volatility index trades? Have you noticed any patterns I should add?
If you have tips or insights that help you trade the sessions or days more effectively — please share them in the comments below. Your experience could really help other synthetic indices traders fine-tune their approach.

FAQs On The Best Times To Trade Volatility Indices

What is the best day to trade volatility indices on Deriv?

It depends on the index — but based on six months of data, Sunday and Tuesday often show strong movement across many popular volatility indices, including V250 (1s), V25 (1s), V90 (1s), and V100 (1s). Thursday is also excellent for scalping fast movers like V50 (1s), V75 (1s), and V10 (1s).

Is Sunday a good day to trade volatility indices?

Yes — surprisingly, Sunday is one of the best days for trading many volatility indices. Indices like V25 (1s), V90 (1s), V100 (1s), and V150 (1s) all show their strongest or second strongest volatility on Sundays.

Which day is best to trade V75 Index?

For V75 (Normal), Tuesday shows the best movement on average. V75 (1s) performs well on both Thursday and Friday, offering excellent opportunities for scalpers and swing traders.

Should I trade volatility indices every day?

Focus on days when the recommended session overlaps with active trading — e.g. mid‑week during US overlap shows best engagement.

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