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Deriv Broker Review — South Africa

Item: Deriv
Rating: 3.9
Author: TradeFX

3.9

/ 5

1370

matches to this broker

Score out of 2,500: This reflects how many South African traders would likely match with this broker, based on an algorithm that compares the broker’s offering to the typical needs of South African traders.

26 January, 2026
Accepts South African Traders - Yes

Allen Henn

Heinrich Le Roux

Reviewed by

Minimum deposit

ZAR 100

USD 5

Platforms

MT5, Proprietary Trading Platform, Mobile App Trading, Web Trading, cTrader

Regulation

MFSA (Malta), LFSA (Labuan – Malaysia), VFSC (Vanuatu), CIMA (Cayman Islands), FSC (British Virgin Islands), SCA (United Arab Emirates), FSC (Mauritius)

Tradable Markets

Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares / Equities, ETFs, Crypto, Volatility Indices, Precious Metals, Energy Markets

TradeFX Rating

3.9

/ 5

TFX Overall Score

The TradeFX score is calculated using our independent methodology, based on multiple broker criteria including regulation, fees, platform features, and trader experience.

We review and update our data regularly to keep comparisons current.

Deriv’s TradeFX rating reflects how well it fits the average South African trader across the things that actually impact day-to-day trading: trust/regulatory footing, total costs (spreads + fees), platform quality, product range, deposits/withdrawals, and overall user experience.

In SA terms, Deriv typically scores best for its platform variety and its synthetic/volatility markets (a real differentiator), while the main consideration is that your account is usually held under an offshore regulated entity rather than FSCA.

Bottom line: strong functionality and product depth — just make sure you’re comfortable with the entity and protections you’re signing up under.

SA Focused

Deriv is a popular fit for South Africans who want a straightforward setup with a low barrier to entry and a lot of choice in how they trade — from MT5 and cTrader to Deriv’s own platforms, plus the synthetic/derived indices that many SA traders specifically come for. Where it feels “SA-friendly” is convenience: you can typically get onboarded quickly, fund in a few different ways, and keep your trading workflow simple once you’re verified.

The main SA “rules of the road” point is entity and regulation. Deriv operates through multiple regulated entities across different jurisdictions, and the protections you get (and who you escalate issues to) depend on which Deriv entity your account sits under. Before you deposit, check the legal entity name in your portal and the client agreement — that’s what your account actually runs on.

On the day-to-day side, the funding experience for South Africans is usually about what methods are available right now. Deriv supports standard cashier methods, and it also promotes Deriv P2P as a way to deposit/withdraw using local currency via peer-to-peer transfers — useful, but it’s still worth doing a small “test” deposit/withdrawal first so you know exactly what the turnaround and costs look like on your side (FX conversion, bank fees, and so on).

How we rated Deriv

TradeFX evaluates brokers using an independent, criteria-based methodology designed to reflect what matters most to real traders. Our TradeFX score is calculated across multiple factors, including broker regulation and trust signals, total trading costs (spreads, commissions, swaps and non-trading fees), platform and tool quality, product offering, deposit/withdrawal experience, customer support responsiveness, and the overall trading experience across web and mobile.

We review and update our broker data regularly to keep our comparisons current and consistent. While we aim to provide objective, data-driven insights, trading and investing involve risk — so we always recommend that you do your own independent due diligence and verify key details directly with the broker and relevant official regulatory sources before making any financial decisions.

Learn more about our methodology and editorial policies.

A quick look at Deriv

Deriv is a long-running online broker group (founded in 1999) that offers CFDs across the mainstream markets (like forex and other CFDs) and is especially well-known for its Derived/Synthetic markets, including Volatility Indices that run 24/7 with no overnight gaps.

For South Africans, the “big picture” is that Deriv operates through multiple offshore regulated entities, so your protections depend on the exact entity your account is opened under (for example, Deriv lists regulation across jurisdictions on its regulatory page, and some entities can be verified on regulator registers).

On platforms, Deriv gives you real choice: you can trade via Deriv MT5 (which includes access to 24/7 Derived Indices) and use other Deriv platform options depending on your setup. Funding is handled through Deriv’s cashier with multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, and availability can vary by country and method, so it’s worth checking what’s live for South Africa before you fund.

Standout features for South African traders

24/7 Volatility Indices (trade weekends too)
Proper platform choice: Deriv MT5 + cTrader (copy trading)
Deriv P2P for local-currency funding
Multi-regulated broker

Deriv summed up

Accepts South African Clients

Yes

Has Local Office

Trading Platforms

MT5, Proprietary Trading Platform, Mobile App Trading, Web Trading, cTrader

Mobile Trading

Yes

Tradable Markets

Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares / Equities, ETFs, Crypto, Volatility Indices, Precious Metals, Energy Markets

Account Types

Standard, Copy Trading, Zero Spread, Islamic (Swap-Free)

Demo Account

Yes

Account Base Currencies

USD, EUR, GBP

Maximum Leverage SA

1:1000

Minimum Deposit

ZAR 100

Local Deposits Available

Yes

Local Withdrawals Available

Yes

Same-Day Withdrawals

Yes

Islamic / Swap-Free Accounts

Yes

Automated Trading Allowed

Yes

Negative Balance Protection

Yes

Guaranteed Stop Loss

Stop-Out Level (%)

50 %

Promotions

Cashback / Rebates

Regulatory Bodies

MFSA (Malta), LFSA (Labuan – Malaysia), VFSC (Vanuatu), CIMA (Cayman Islands), FSC (British Virgin Islands), SCA (United Arab Emirates), FSC (Mauritius)

CFDs and options are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money due to leverage. Prices can move quickly against you, and you may lose all your deposited funds. Make sure you understand how these products work and consider whether you can afford the risk before trading.

Video review:  Watch Deriv in action

How to open an account with Deriv — Step by Step

Step 1: Start the application

Go to Deriv’s website and click Create account. Choose Demo if you want to practise first, or Real if you’re ready to deposit.

Step 2: Enter your personal details

Fill in the basics (name, email, phone number, date of birth) and select South Africa as your country of residence where applicable. Use your real details — it makes verification smoother later.

Step 3: Choose your platform

Pick your trading platform (for example Deriv MT5, Deriv cTrader, or Deriv’s own platforms like Deriv Trader/Deriv Bot/Deriv GO). If you’re unsure, choose the platform you already know.

Step 4: Select your account type

Choose the account setup that matches how you plan to trade on Deriv (this is typically done by creating the relevant trading account inside the client portal for MT5/cTrader). Your setup affects what instruments you can access and how trading costs are structured on that platform.

Step 5: Set your base currency and leverage

Select your base currency (Deriv commonly uses USD/EUR/GBP, so choose what you’ll actually deposit/withdraw in). Choose your leverage preference if prompted — you can often adjust this later in the portal depending on account type/instrument.

Step 6: Create your login and secure your account

Create your client portal login and set a strong password. If two-factor authentication is available, enable it.

Step 7: Complete your profile in the client portal

Finish the profile questions (address, tax info, trading experience). Keep everything consistent with your ID and proof of address to avoid delays.

Step 8: Upload your verification documents (KYC)

Upload:

Proof of identity (South African ID card/book or passport)
Proof of address (recent utility bill or bank statement)

Step 9: Fund your account

Choose your deposit method in the client portal and fund your account. If you’re depositing from South Africa, pay attention to currency conversion (and any bank/card fees) before confirming.

Step 10: Log in to the platform and do a quick test run

Download/open the platform, log in with your trading credentials, and place a small test trade (or use demo) to confirm you’re comfortable with order types, sizing, and basic risk controls.

Broker Trust and Regulation

Deriv operates through multiple regulated entities, so the exact regulator that applies depends on which Deriv company your account is opened under. The Deriv group lists regulated subsidiaries across jurisdictions including Malta (MFSA), Labuan (Labuan FSA), Vanuatu (VFSC), the British Virgin Islands (BVI FSC), Mauritius (FSC), the Cayman Islands (CIMA), and the UAE (SCA). Always confirm your exact legal entity and regulator inside your client portal or legal documents before depositing.

Regulator	Entity (Legal Name)	License / Ref	Region	Notes
MFSA	Deriv Investments (Europe) Limited	EU-regulated (IS/70156)	Malta (EU)	EU-regulated Deriv entity.
Labuan FSA	Deriv (FX) Ltd	Licensed in Labuan (LL13394)	Labuan (Malaysia)	Licensed Labuan money-broking entity.
VFSC	Deriv (V) Ltd	Regulated in Vanuatu (014556)	Vanuatu	Offshore regulated entity (commonly used for international clients).
BVI FSC	Deriv (BVI) Ltd	Regulated in the British Virgin Islands (SIBA/L/18/1114)	British Virgin Islands	Offshore regulated entity under BVI FSC.
FSC (Mauritius)	Deriv (Mauritius) Ltd	FSC Mauritius licence (GB24101229)	Mauritius	Offshore regulated entity used in various regions.
CIMA	Deriv Investments (Cayman) Limited	CIMA registration (406695)	Cayman Islands	Cayman-regulated entity.
SCA (UAE)	Deriv Capital Contracts & Currencies L.L.C	SCA authorisation (2279721)	UAE	UAE-regulated entity.

Platforms and Tools

Deriv keeps platform access straightforward, with a setup built around Deriv MT5, Deriv cTrader, and its own proprietary platforms. If you’ve used MT5 or cTrader before it’ll feel familiar, and if you’re new, Deriv’s web-first tools make it easy to get comfortable quickly.

Deriv MT5 (desktop/web/mobile)

Deriv MT5 is the “classic” option for CFD traders who want a familiar layout, indicators, and order types. It’s also the main route if you want MT5 charts, EAs, and the broader CFD workflow while still having access to Deriv’s product range (depending on your account setup).

Deriv cTrader (clean UI + copy trading)

cTrader is a strong choice if you want a modern interface and a smoother trading experience out of the box. It’s also where Deriv leans into copy functionality, which suits traders who prefer to follow strategies rather than build everything from scratch.

Web platforms + mobile apps (Deriv Trader / Bot / GO)

Deriv’s proprietary platforms cover quick web trading (Deriv Trader), automation without coding (Deriv Bot), and mobile-first trading (Deriv GO). If you’re trading synthetics/derived markets or you just want simple execution without the “full MT5” feel, these options are usually the easiest.

Automation (EAs + bots)

Automation is a core part of the Deriv ecosystem. You can run EAs on MT5, automate via cTrader tools, or use Deriv Bot to build rule-based strategies visually — useful if you want to test ideas without writing code.

Fees and Spreads

Fees are one of those quiet things that matter over time — especially if you trade often. With Deriv, your day-to-day costs usually come down to the spread, plus swap/overnight fees if you hold CFD positions longer than a day. Depending on the platform/instrument, you may also see commissions (this is more common on certain account setups or products).

Spreads are best read as “as low as” figures. In liquid market hours, spreads can be tighter, and during volatile periods (news, opens, thin sessions) they can widen — that’s normal across CFD brokers. The table below is an indicative minimum baseline for comparison, and the actual spread you see will depend on the instrument, market conditions, and the platform/account you’re using.

Instrument	Spreads as low as
EUR/USD	0,0001
GBP/USD	0,00007
USD/ZAR	0,01188
XAU/USD	0,16
NAS100	2,5
US30	3,69
BTC/USD	18,424

Tradable Instruments

Deriv offers a practical market range for South African traders — the staples most people trade daily, plus optional extras if you want more variety. It’s designed for a “one broker, multiple markets” setup, with what you can access depending on the platform (MT5/cTrader/proprietary) and the legal entity your account is opened under.

What you can trade with Deriv (overview)

Market	What it includes	Popular examples
Forex	Major, minor, and selected exotic currency pairs	EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, USD/ZAR*
Equity Indices	CFDs on major global stock market indices	US30 (Dow), NAS100 (Nasdaq), US500 (S&P 500), GER40
Shares (CFDs)	Trade global companies as share CFDs (no share ownership)	Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, Meta
ETFs (CFDs)	ETF exposure via CFDs (availability varies)	SPY, QQQ, DIA
Commodities	Soft commodities and broader commodity CFDs	Coffee, Sugar, Cocoa
Precious Metals	Metal CFDs	XAU/USD (Gold), XAG/USD (Silver)
Energies	Energy CFDs	USOIL/UKOIL, Natural Gas
Cryptocurrencies (where available)	Crypto CFDs, typically available 24/7	Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple
Derived / Volatility Indices	Synthetic/derived markets designed to run 24/7	Volatility 75, Volatility 100, Boom/Crash
Options / Multipliers (where available)	Derivative-style products on selected markets (platform-dependent)	Multipliers on FX/crypto, digital-style options on indices

* Availability varies by entity/region/platform.

Trader Support

Deriv leans into trader support, which is useful for South African traders — not just for platform questions, but for the practical admin stuff like verification, deposit methods, and withdrawal checks. If you’re new to the platform mix (MT5 vs cTrader vs Deriv’s own platforms), support also helps you get pointed to the right setup without guessing.

The key with Deriv support is knowing where to look first: most day-to-day questions are covered in the Help Centre, and for account-specific issues (KYC, cashier, login, trading account access), live chat is usually the fastest route.

Support channels

Live chat
Email
Help centre / FAQs

Deriv also provides a library of learning and support content through its Help Centre, including platform guides, trading explainers, and how-to articles covering common workflows like funding, withdrawals, and account verification.

Deposits and Withdrawals

Deriv keeps funding fairly straightforward for South African traders. Deposits and withdrawals are handled inside the client portal/cashier, and the smoothest experience usually comes from keeping your personal details consistent from day one. From an SA point of view, the main thing to watch is currency — if you’re depositing in ZAR via card/bank, you’ll usually see conversion into your account’s base currency, so it’s worth checking the rate and any bank charges before confirming.

On withdrawals, most brokers (including Deriv) follow the same-route principle: you generally withdraw back to the same method you used to deposit (or a method approved in your portal), and they may request extra verification if something doesn’t match. If you keep your funding method, name, and documents aligned, withdrawals are usually routine.

Segregation of funds

Deriv states that client funds are held in segregated accounts, meaning client money is kept separate from the broker’s operating funds as a standard safety measure.

Practical tips (SA-friendly)

Do your KYC early (don’t wait until your first withdrawal).
Make sure the account name matches your ID exactly.
Stick to one funding route where possible to keep the paper trail clean.

Account Types

Deriv structures accounts a little differently to the typical “Standard vs Raw” broker setup, because your experience is often defined by the platform you choose (MT5, cTrader, or Deriv’s proprietary platforms) and the market you’re trading (CFDs vs derived/synthetic markets). For South African traders, the practical approach is to pick the platform you’ll actually use day-to-day, then choose the account setup that matches your style and risk tolerance.

Demo account (SA)

Deriv offers a demo account for South African traders, and it’s worth using. It lets you practise the platform flow with virtual funds so you can test sizing, orders, and risk management before going live.

How to open a demo (quick steps)

Create a Deriv account and log in to your client area.
Select Demo (or create a demo trading account for your chosen platform).
Open the platform and log in with the demo credentials provided.

Does the demo expire?

Rules can vary by platform/account type, so don’t treat a demo account as “set and forget”. If you want to keep it active, log in regularly.

Deriv account options (overview)

Account type	Best for	What to expect
Standard (CFDs)	Most SA traders starting out	Spread-based pricing on common CFD markets, with platform-dependent conditions.
Islamic / Swap-Free (where available)	Traders who want to avoid swaps	Swap-free conditions on eligible instruments, with terms depending on the entity/platform.
cTrader (CFDs)	Traders who want a modern UI + copy features	cTrader execution and tooling, with the option to follow/copy strategies.
Derived / Synthetic markets	Traders focused on Volatility Indices	Access to 24/7 synthetic markets on supported platforms, with pricing/behaviour unique to Deriv.
Options / Multipliers (where available)	Short-term traders who prefer defined-style products	Alternative derivative-style products on selected markets, availability depends on region/entity.

Deriv vs. Top Competitors

	Deriv	Exness READ REVIEW	XM READ REVIEW	Trade Nation READ REVIEW
Accepts South African Clients	✓Yes	✓Yes	✓Yes	✓Yes
Trading Instrument	CFDs, Options	CFDs	CFDs, Spot Trading	CFDs, Spread Betting
Tradable Markets	Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares / Equities, ETFs, Crypto, Volatility Indices, Precious Metals, Energy Markets	Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares / Equities, Crypto, Precious Metals, Energy Markets	Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares / Equities, Precious Metals, Energy Markets, Crypto	Indices, Forex, Commodities, Shares / Equities, Energy Markets, Precious Metals, Bonds, Crypto, ETFs
Trading Platform	MT5, Proprietary Trading Platform, Mobile App Trading, Web Trading, cTrader	MT4, Web Trading, MT5, Proprietary Trading Platform, Mobile App Trading	MT4, MT5, Mobile App Trading, Proprietary Trading Platform, Web Trading	Proprietary Trading Platform, MT4, TradingView, Mobile App Trading, Web Trading
Promotions	Yes — Cashback / Rebates	No	Yes — Deposit Bonus, Trading Credits, Cashback / Rebates	No
Account Base Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP	USD, ZAR, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPY, AUD, CHF	USD, JPY, CHF, AUD, ZAR, GBP, EUR, CAD	ZAR, GBP, AUD, USD, EUR
Maximum Leverage SA	1:1000	1:2000	1:1000	1:500
Minimum Deposit	R100	R200	R100	R1,000
Has Demo Account	✓Yes	✓Yes	✓Yes	✓Yes
Same-Day Withdrawals	✓Yes	✓Yes	×No	×No
Negative Balance Protection	✓Yes	✓Yes	✓Yes	✓Yes
	SIGN UP	SIGN UP	SIGN UP	SIGN UP

From a South African Perspective

From a South African perspective, Deriv stands out for how practical it is to use day-to-day. The platform mix is flexible (so you can stick with what you know, like MT5, or switch to cTrader or Deriv’s own platforms), and the market range covers what most SA traders actually trade, without forcing you into a complicated setup.

It also works well for South Africans who want variety in one place. You can trade the usual CFD staples (forex, indices, commodities, crypto and share CFDs), but Deriv’s real differentiator is its derived/synthetic markets, especially the Volatility Indices that trade 24/7 — which suits traders who don’t want to plan their week around global market hours.

If you want a broker that feels established and practical for SA day-to-day trading, Deriv fits that role well — particularly if you value platform choice, simple onboarding, and having both mainstream markets and synthetics under one roof.

Other broker reviews to check out

Trade Nation

4.3

/ 5

1370

matches to this broker

Trading CFDs is high risk. Leverage can magnify losses, and you may lose your deposit. Only trade with money you can afford to lose.

Deriv

3.9

/ 5

1370

matches to this broker

Trading CFDs and options involves high risk and you can lose your capital. Leverage can amplify losses. Only trade if you understand the risks.

Exness

4.4

/ 5

1500

matches to this broker

Trading CFDs is high risk. You can lose money rapidly due to leverage. Only trade if you understand the risks and can afford losses.

4.4

/ 5

1500

matches to this broker

Trading leveraged products involves significant risk and can lead to the loss of your invested capital. Only trade if you understand the risks.

Deriv Broker Review — South Africa

Allen Henn

In this review

Minimum deposit

Platforms

Regulation

Tradable Markets

TradeFX Rating

SA Focused

A quick look at Deriv

Standout features for South African traders

24/7 Volatility Indices (trade weekends too)

Proper platform choice: Deriv MT5 + cTrader (copy trading)

Deriv P2P for local-currency funding

Multi-regulated broker

Deriv summed up

Video review: Watch Deriv in action

How to open an account with Deriv — Step by Step

Step 1: Start the application

Step 2: Enter your personal details

Step 3: Choose your platform

Step 4: Select your account type

Step 5: Set your base currency and leverage

Step 6: Create your login and secure your account

Step 7: Complete your profile in the client portal

Step 8: Upload your verification documents (KYC)

Step 9: Fund your account

Step 10: Log in to the platform and do a quick test run

Broker Trust and Regulation

Platforms and Tools

Deriv MT5 (desktop/web/mobile)

Deriv cTrader (clean UI + copy trading)

Web platforms + mobile apps (Deriv Trader / Bot / GO)

Automation (EAs + bots)

Fees and Spreads

Tradable Instruments

What you can trade with Deriv (overview)

Trader Support

Support channels

Deposits and Withdrawals

Segregation of funds

Practical tips (SA-friendly)

Account Types

Demo account (SA)

How to open a demo (quick steps)

Does the demo expire?

Deriv account options (overview)

Deriv vs. Top Competitors

From a South African Perspective

Other broker reviews to check out

People also ask

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Video review:  Watch Deriv in action