Deriv trading tournaments are expertly supervised competitions on the Deriv MT5 platform, open to traders of all experience levels. This FAQ answers the most important questions, giving you the confidence to register, compete, and claim your reward if you are among the winners of the tournament.

Quick summary

• Trade with $10,000 in virtual funds—no deposit or entry fee required.
• Prizes are credited to fully verified Deriv real accounts.
• You can participate in multiple tournaments (only one entry per event).
• Tournaments are fair, secure, and globally available (except in restricted regions).
• Leaderboards are updated in real time via contest.deriv.com.
• All tournaments are subject to terms and conditions which may be updated from time to time. You should ensure you are familiar with these terms before entering. 

Registering for trading tournaments

Who can join a Deriv trading tournament?
Most individuals aged 18 or over are welcome to participate, provided trading tournaments are permitted in their country of residence. A real Deriv account is not necessary for registration; simply sign up via contest.deriv.com with a valid email address and some basic details. However, to claim prizes, you must have a fully verified Deriv real account.

Other than the above, are there any fees or other special eligibility requirements to enter?
Currently, all Deriv trading tournaments are free to join. There is no entry fee, and no deposit is required to participate. You may only register once per tournament. Multiple entries in the same event are not allowed and will result in disqualification.

Can I register after a tournament has started?
Yes. Entries are permitted for as long as registration remains open. which is generally halfway through the tournament duration. You will be able to see the registration deadline in the details for each individual tournament.

Can I participate in multiple tournaments at the same time?
‍Yes, you may register for multiple different tournaments, but only once for each tournament

Do I need prior trading experience to join a tournament?
No experience is necessary. Tournaments are open to all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced traders.

Am I eligible if I already have a Deriv account?
Yes, existing Deriv users can join by registering for each tournament using the same email linked to their Deriv account, which will help in claiming any potential prizes.

Can I join tournaments from any country?
Tournaments are available globally, except in restricted regions such as the UAE and jurisdictions prohibited by law.
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Rules of Deriv trading tournaments

How are winners determined?
Winners are ranked based on the final balance in their dedicated MT5 demo tournament account at the end of the competition. If two or more participants end with the same balance, the trader who achieved this balance first will be deemed the winner. Regular updates are provided via a real-time leaderboard on the tournament portal.

How is progress tracked during the tournament?
Your trading progress and position can be viewed on the live leaderboard hosted at contest.deriv.com. The leaderboard reflects account balances in near real time, offering a transparent view of your standing relative to other participants.

What types of trading instruments are allowed?
By default, all instruments available on Deriv MT5 may be traded, unless the tournament’s theme is specified by Deriv in the tournament listing (such as "Stocks-only" or "Forex-only" events).

Are trading bots or EAs permitted?
Generally, automated strategies (Expert Advisors or bots) are not allowed unless explicitly stated in the terms and conditions applicable to an individual tournament. Manual trading is standard.

Can I change my account or details during the tournament?
You must trade only with the account assigned for the tournament. Changing accounts or registering with multiple accounts is strictly prohibited.

What happens if I break the tournament rules?
Violations—including duplicate registrations, abuse of platform weaknesses, or use of disallowed tools—will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of any prizes.

Can I withdraw virtual funds from my tournament account?
No, all trading is conducted with virtual money, and only real prizes awarded to winners can be withdrawn from your verified Deriv account.
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Technical questions about trading tournaments

Which platforms and devices are supported for tournament trading?
Deriv trading tournaments are conducted on the MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platform. You can access MT5 via desktop, web, or mobile applications, ensuring convenient trading whether you’re at home or on the go. After registration, you’ll receive tournament-specific MT5 credentials by email, which you'll use to log in and compete.

What happens if I lose connectivity during the tournament?
If you’re disconnected or encounter technical issues while trading, you will need to reconnect and continue trading from where you left off regardless of the duration of the disconnection or the effect on your open trades. Deriv shall not be responsible whatsoever for any loss, however arising, in relation to your use of or inability to use the platform during the tournament,  including but not limited to internet disruptions or device failures. If you experience persistent technical problems with your account or the tournament platform, reach out to Deriv’s customer support team for assistance.

Is my trading data safe and private during the tournament?
Yes, all tournament accounts and trading activity are handled securely, in accordance with Deriv’s privacy and security policies.

What if my MT5 login credentials don't work or are lost?
If you have trouble accessing your MT5 tournament account, contact support with your registration email and tournament name. The team will assist in recovering or resetting your credentials.

Do technical difficulties affect my final standing?
Deriv will not adjust results due to personal technical issues. Only platform-wide or system errors may be remedied by the tournament organisers.

Can I trade outside of tournament hours?
No, trading is only permitted during the official tournament period. Trades placed outside this timeframe will not be counted towards the end result.

Can I use the tournament account for regular Deriv trading after the event?
No, tournament accounts are temporary and deactivated at the event’s conclusion.
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Tournament prizes & withdrawals

Is there a minimum trading volume required to qualify for prizes?
No specific trading volume is required; rankings are based solely on final account balance.

How are prizes awarded to tournament winners?
Once a tournament concludes and winners are confirmed, prizes are awarded to the top participants. To redeem your prize, you must complete the full verification process by verifying your proof of identity and proof of address on your Deriv real account. 
Prizes are usually credited within seven business days after the tournament’s end and prize approval. Unclaimed rewards expire after 30 days.

Are there any tax implications or special withdrawal processes?
Prize funds are credited directly to your Deriv account. Depending on your country’s regulations, you may be responsible for any local taxes arising from your winnings. Withdrawals follow Deriv’s standard procedures; simply request a withdrawal in your account area once the bonus or prize money has been credited.

How do I know if I’ve won a prize?
You’ll receive a notification via email if you’re among the winners. You can also confirm your results and prize status by checking the final leaderboard at contest.deriv.com.

What happens if I don’t claim my prize within 30 days?
Prizes not claimed or withdrawn within 30 days of notification will expire and be forfeited.

What currencies are prizes credited in?
Prizes are usually credited in the account currency of your Deriv account.

Are there non-cash prizes?
While monetary awards are standard, some tournaments may feature gift cards, merchandise, or experience-based prizes in the future, which will be stated in the tournament overview.

Can I receive my prize if my account verification is pending?
No, only fully verified real accounts are eligible to receive tournament prizes. Hence, it is important to complete your account verification as soon as possible after winning.
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Keeping trading tournaments fair and secure

What measures ensure tournaments are fair?
Deriv enforces a strict one-account-per-user policy for each tournament. Attempts to create multiple accounts, abuse the platform, or use unauthorised trading bots (unless specifically permitted) will result in immediate disqualification. All trading activities are monitored for unusual patterns, ensuring all participants enjoy a fair and competitive environment.

How are disputes handled?
If you believe you’ve been unfairly disqualified or have a complaint regarding tournament results, you may appeal to the Trading Research & Analytics team through the appropriate support channels. Ensure you provide your tournament username, MT5 login, and a detailed description of your issue. The team will thoroughly investigate and communicate the resolution with transparency.

Will other players be able to see my account or trades?
No, competitor trading activity is private. Only usernames and relative rankings are visible on the public leaderboard.

What should I do if I suspect someone is cheating?
If you suspect abuse or irregular activity, report your concerns to customer support with as much detail as possible. The compliance team will investigate covertly to preserve tournament fairness.

What is the appeal process if I am disqualified?
You may submit an appeal through customer service, providing identification and a description of the issue. Your case will be escalated to the relevant team for independent review.

Are tournament results audited?
Yes, final standings are always reviewed and approved internally before prizes are distributed to ensure integrity and transparency.
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Contacting Deriv support team for help

How can I contact Deriv for assistance during a tournament?
You can reach out via live chat or WhatsApp through Deriv’s support centre. For tournament-specific queries, have your MT5 login and tournament name handy for faster assistance.

Is there a dedicated support channel for trading tournaments?
General tournament questions can be addressed through standard support channels. For complex issues or appeals, Deriv support team will be able to escalate your request to the respective team.

Can I opt-out of a tournament or delete my tournament account?
Yes. If for any reason you wish to withdraw from a competition or have your tournament account removed, contact support with your request and reason.

Where can I find official tournament rules and updates?
All rules and key updates are available on the tournament page at contest.deriv.com and will also be sent via email to registered participants.

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Deriv trading tournaments offer a risk-free way to test your trading skills, engage with a global community, and compete for real-world rewards—all within a secure and fair environment. With transparent rules, comprehensive support, and a user-friendly experience from registration through to prize withdrawal, you have everything you need to get started and succeed.

Ready to experience the thrill of competition and take your place on the leaderboard? Visit contest.deriv.com, register for your first Deriv trading tournament, and take the next step in your trading journey today!