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 β and to be honest, theyβre 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. Theyβre not tied to real-world assets like forex or commodities β and theyβre not direct copies of Volatility 75, Crash 500, or any other index either.
They behave differently. You wonβt find the same kind of rhythm or structure youβve gotten used to on the older synthetics. The moves are sharp. The reversals are sudden.
One moment youβre 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? π Read our main synthetic indices guide for a full breakdown.
When Did Deriv Launch DEX Indices?
These went live around August 2023 β 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.
Theyβre easy to miss β but the behavior is worth taking note of.
How Do Deriv Dex Indices Work?
Hereβs 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 β 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 β but unpredictable in size. Thatβs where the edge (or risk) comes in.
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.
π° Minimum Lot Sizes on DEX Indices
If youβre trading with a small account, good news β DEX Indices allow a minimum lot size of just 0.01.
Thatβs the same as most synthetic indices on Deriv, and it keeps your risk low while you figure out how each DEX pair behaves.
π 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 (thatβs $0.15β$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 β without relying on demo.
π Want to compare lot sizes across all Deriv synthetic indices β not just DEX? π Check out our full guide here: π Lot Sizes on Synthetic Indices
β οΈ But donβt 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 youβre not using a stop-loss.
Start small, keep your TP/SL tight, and always check the current DEX behavior before placing a trade.
π Overnight Swap Fees on DEX Indices
Like most CFDs, holding a DEX trade overnight comes with a swap fee.
Hereβs the part that catches many traders off guard:
π Deriv charges a negative swap rate of up to -25% annualized, depending on market conditions.
π‘ 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 β $5.09 (per 1 lot)
Total cost overnight = ~$6.09 or ~0.0831% of position
At 0.01 lots, thatβs around $0.06/day β but it adds up fast if you hold trades open over several nights or weekends.
β οΈ Quick Tip:
DEX Indices are designed for short-term volatility. Holding trades for hours can make sense β holding them for days usually doesnβt. If you’re swing trading or testing trend behavior, factor in swaps β or your profits can get eaten slowly.
πΈ 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 β even with a real account.
At a lot size of 0.01, the average margin needed across all DEX pairs is around $0.60β$0.65 depending on the price.
This means:
You can trade with small accounts
You donβt need $100+ just to test one setup
Leverage works in your favor β 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
π‘οΈ Whatβs 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.
Letβs 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 ~$0.06β$0.08 in swap fees per day
β Recommended Safe Balance per 0.01 Lot:
Scenario
Suggested Balance
Scalping
$3β$5
Short-term (15β30 min)
$5β$10
Holding 1β2 hours
$10β$15
Swing/Overnight
$15β$25+
β οΈ Donβt Trade on Bare Margin Alone
Trading DEX Indices with $1 or $2 might open a position, but it wonβt 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 β not your full risk capital.
π How to Open a Dex Indices Trading Account on Deriv
To trade any of the Dex Indices listed above, youβll need to open a Stadard MT5 account inside your main Deriv profile. Hereβs how to do it step by step:
π₯οΈ Ready to Start Trading Dex Indices on MT5?
Now that youβve set up your Deriv account, itβs time to learn how to actually place trades, choose the right chart, set lot sizes, and manage your risk.
Whether youβre on mobile or desktop, Iβve created a step-by-step walkthrough that shows you:
This is the exact guide I wish I had when I was lost on my first day using MetaTrader.
π My Tips for Trading DEX Indices
β±οΈ Master the Timing DEX Indices donβt move by luck. Each one has built-in spikes β like DEX 900 UP, which fires off a sharp move roughly every 15 minutes. If youβre not watching the clock, youβll always be on the wrong side of the move.
π οΈ Keep Your Tools Simple You donβt need fancy indicators. Basic tools like RSI or moving averages can help, but they wonβt save a bad entry. Donβt copy someone elseβs setup β test your own. What works on screenshots often fails live.
π‘οΈ 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.
π§ͺ Start on Demo β Always Donβt get tricked by how βeasyβ DEX looks. The market is fast, dirty, and unforgiving. Demo it first. Learn the rhythm. Then go live with real understanding β not hope.
DEX Indices are strange β thatβs the best word I can use.
Theyβre not bad. Theyβre just different. Youβll need to experiment, document behavior, and probably invent new setups if you want to survive here.
If youβve traded DEX, Iβd love to hear what youβve noticed. Drop a comment below or send screenshots to the team β letβs crowdsource some actual strategy data.
π§ Helpful Guides for DEX Traders
π€ Best Free Deriv Binary Bots Explore some of the top-performing bots you can use on Deriv β no coding needed.
Not entirely. While they use a secure RNG for price generation, DEX indices have a timing overlay that forces large jumps (or drops) at regular intervals β every 600, 900, or 1500 seconds depending on the index.
Do DEX Indices respond to world news or events?
No. DEX, like all synthetic indices, is insulated from real-world market events. Price moves are generated internally and arenβt affected by news, politics, or central banks.
Can I use Deriv Bots on DEX Indices?
No. Bots donβt support DEX markets yet.
Which DEX Index is the most volatile?
From my testing, DEX 2000Z shows the wildest swings β but it’s inconsistent.
Are DEX Indices beginner-friendly?
Not really. They’re harder to read, and common price action tricks donβt apply well.
Jafar Omar
As a seasoned Forex trader with over a decade of experience, I have dedicated myself to mastering the intricacies of the financial markets.
Over the years, I have honed my analytical skills, staying updated with market trends, economic news, and technical indicators. This in-depth understanding has empowered me to navigate the dynamic nature of Forex trading with confidence.
Driven by my passion for trading, I have taken the initiative to share my insights and experiences with others through my engaging blog posts. Whether it's discussing effective trading strategies, exploring market psychology, or demystifying complex concepts, I aim to provide value & empower fellow traders to make informed decisions.
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