Boom and Crash Indices Explained
Boom and Crash indices drift slowly in one direction and then spike sharply the other way at random moments. The number in the name tells you how often, on average.
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How they behave
| Index | Between spikes | Spike |
|---|---|---|
| Boom | Drifts slowly down | Sharp jump up |
| Crash | Drifts slowly up | Sharp drop down |
Boom and Crash behaviour.
Deriv's glossary describes Crash/Boom indices as synthetic indices designed to produce, on average, one price drop (crash) or spike (boom) per 300, 500 or 1,000 ticks. Deriv's Traders' Academy also lists a Boom 150 and Crash 150 with more frequent spikes.
What the number means
The number is the average number of ticks between spikes. Boom 1000 spikes about once every 1,000 ticks on average, and Boom 300 about once every 300. These are averages: spikes are random, so gaps can be very short or very long. Lower numbers mean more frequent spikes, and higher numbers mean fewer but often larger moves.
Their spike timing is built into the index logic, so it does not depend on news, economic events or real-world trading hours, and they trade 24/7.
What to watch out for
- The drift is not a signal. A steady downtrend on Boom, or uptrend on Crash, is part of the design. Deriv's analysts describe it as the price of the spike.
- Spikes distort indicators. A single spike stays inside an indicator's lookback window and can skew its readings for the whole window.
- Charts can look calmer than they are. On higher timeframes, spikes can appear as long wicks or vanish into candle bodies.
- Timing is random. Being "due" a spike is not a thing. A spike can come right after another one.
You can follow them in the app's watchlist under Boom & Crash, and in the multichart view alongside other markets. Set risk limits before you run an assistant on a market that can move sharply.
Practise on a Deriv demo account before you use real money.
Get StartedFrequently asked questions
- What does Boom 150 mean?
- A Boom index that, on average, spikes upward once every 150 ticks. The timing is random, so the real gaps vary.
- Is the drift on Boom and Crash a trend I can follow?
- Deriv's analysts say the drift is part of the instrument's design and not a meaningful market signal.
- Do Boom and Crash trade at weekends?
- Yes. Deriv describes them as synthetic indices that trade 24/7.
Keep reading
- Volatility IndicesVolatility Indices are simulated markets with a constant level of volatility. They do not depend on real-world news, and they trade around the clock.
- Multichart and watchlistThe watchlist shows live prices for every instrument. The multichart view lets you follow several markets side by side. Together they help you choose what to trade.
- Stop loss and take profitA stop loss is the most you are willing to lose in a session. A take profit is the gain you are aiming for. Setting both before you start is one of the simplest ways to keep an assistant inside your plan.
Sources
Risk warning: Trading binary options involves a high level of risk and you could lose your entire stake. Only trade with money you can afford to lose. This page is educational and is not financial advice.