Planning to build a crypto derivatives exchange?

You’ll need a powerful platform that supports futures, options, and perpetual contracts—all running on a high-speed trading engine with advanced margin management, liquidity integration, and risk controls.

With crypto derivatives accounting for 72% of total crypto trading volume (over $7.58 trillion monthly), exchanges like Binance, Bybit, and OKX dominate the industry. This massive demand has opened opportunities for businesses to launch their own crypto derivatives trading platforms custom-built for scalability, security, and profitability.

At Pixel Web Solutions, we specialize in crypto derivatives exchange development from architecture design to deployment and post-launch support. This guide walks you through the essentials:

  • What a derivatives exchange is

  • Key benefits of building one

  • Types of derivatives (futures, options, swaps)

  • Trading strategies your platform should support

  • Must-have features and revenue models

  • Development process and cost factors

What is Crypto Derivatives Exchange?

A crypto derivatives exchange is a trading platform where users buy and sell financial contracts whose value is derived from cryptocurrencies. Unlike spot exchanges, traders don’t directly own crypto assets they trade based on price movements using contracts.. With tactical trading strategies, experienced traders can correctly track the price movements to maximize their returns. Features like robust risk management tools, a high-speed trading engine, and many other elements are necessary for a smooth Crypto Derivative experience.  

To succeed, your exchange must provide:

  • High-speed trading engine

  • Real-time risk management

  • Liquidity aggregation

  • Advanced margin & leverage tools

Now, let’s see what building one would bring in, 

Top Benefits of Crypto Derivatives Trading Exchange Development 

Launching your own derivatives trading platform offers:

  • Full customization & control over trading features and UI

  • Diverse revenue streams (fees, subscriptions, margin interest, ads)

  • Early mover advantage in a high-growth sector

  • Global market reach with scalable architecture

    • Enhanced security with advanced encryption & authentication

  • Long-term demand as derivatives remain the largest segment of crypto trading

This might have strengthened your stakes on crypto derivatives exchange development. If yes, let’s take a quick look at the,

Types of Crypto Derivatives Exchange Development Services We Excel in 

Crypto derivatives can be widely categorized into 3 major types, each serving distinct trading purposes. 

1. Futures Contracts

With our future trading contract, the traders can agree to buy or sell cryptos at a fixed price on a future date. These contracts are used to speculate on price movements or hedge against potential losses. We build futures trading platforms with all the necessary systems from contract creation, margin tracking, to order matching. This allows the platform users to trade with confidence and predictability.

2. Options Contracts

We build platforms that support options contracts, where users get the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell crypto assets. The crypto assets can be traded or not at a predetermined price before or on a fixed date. Our solutions offer flexibility in trade setups, with features like strike prices, expiration dates, and risk management tools, with a user-friendly experience. It’s widely used for speculative strategies and hedging against market swings.

3. Perpetual Swaps

Unlike futures, perpetual swaps are a unique crypto derivative type with no fixed expiration period. They are like futures but with no expiration date, allowing users to trade continuously. We build high-performance perpetual swap engines with features like live funding rate calculations, and leverage tools control to keep the trading smooth and scalable.

Besides understanding the types of crypto derivatives, traders aiming for success need to rely on a certain type of trading strategy. Our platform is designed to support these strategies.

Trading Strategies Your Crypto Derivatives Exchange Should Support

Our platforms are engineered to support diverse derivatives trading strategies, including:

Hedge

With our tools to track profits and losses live, we help the platform users facilitate smooth hedging. This helps the traders to minimize their potential losses by opening an offset position. Given the crypto’s volatile nature, the platform users can open opposite long and short positions to battle the price fluctuations. 

Leverages

Leverage trading allows users to borrow funds from the platform to trade more. This increases the buying power of the platform users, attracting a larger investor base. Our platform supports this by offering flexible leverage ratios from 2x to 100x, PnL tracking tools with an intuitive experience. We also provide both isolates and cross margin modes, allowing traders to choose their risk management tools. 

Speculation

Speculation is a widely used strategy where traders (speculators) try to make profits from the market price movements. In crypto derivatives trading, they don’t need to actually own the asset, they can just buy a call or put option depending on their price prediction. Our platform is built to execute lightning-fast transactions, helping speculators to act quickly and trade confidently. 

Arbitrage

Arbitrage means the users will buy assets at a lower price and sell them at a higher price, while taking the profit cuts. We offer real-time market data feeds, cross-platform compatibility, and many more features to carry out smooth arbitrage opportunities. As this is a low-risk strategy, many investors are attracted to this. 

Spreads

Spread trading, also known as bid-ask spread, is when a trader takes up two opposite positions at the same time to earn from the difference. This is another safe plan, where the two trades taken up can balance out the incurred profits and losses from each other. Our platform comes with pair trading support and many other elements to back up this strategy. 

Seeing these trading strategies might have helped you to understand how our crypto derivatives exchange development supports diverse tactical plans. With this at hand, let’s explore the trading modes you can integrate into your platform. 

Trading Modes We Integrate in Our Crypto Derivatives Exchange 

To stimulate the operational execution of the above-mentioned strategies, our platform is built with flexible trading modes, 

One-Way Mode – One-way mode allows the traders to hold only one position per contract at a time. This straightforward method limits users by offering either the long or the short mode. Also, it is to be noted that our platform can merge new positions in the same direction. 

Hedge – Unlike One-way, hedge mode lets traders open both directions (i.e., open or close) at the same time. Traders can simultaneously choose both different directions, avoid risks, and earn from the market differences.  

Isolation – In isolated margin trading, the users can allocate a separate fund for each trade. So, if a single trade goes wrong, it will not affect the rest of your assets and funds. This mode is a safer option to cut out the unexpected losses and uncertainties. 

Cross-Margin – As the name suggests, cross margin combines and gives access to your total available balance across all positions. This is preferred by experienced traders, as they can easily balance out the losses by adjusting profits to the total balance. 

Pixel Web Solutions is known for its unique approach. So, apart from these trading modes and strategies, our platform comes with a strong and robust functional framework.  Let’s see,

Built-in Features of our Crypto Derivatives Exchange Development

A crypto derivatives trading platform requires robust features and functionalities to ensure seamless operations. Thus, we provide an array of built-in tools and capabilities that improve platform performance, making your exchange stand out in the competitive market.

Core Features

  • Multi-Language Optimization
  • User’s Access Control Options
  • Reliable CMS
  • Revenue Management Tools
  • Fee Structure Modules
  • Stop/Loss Orders
  • Multi-Wallet & Payment Integration
  • Contract / Asset Only Trading
  • Multi-Platform Functionality
  • Flexible Cool-Off Period
  • P&L Management Dashboard
  • Diverse Trading Modes
  • Advanced Trading Processor
  • Payment & Asset Management Systems

Security Features

  • Anti-DoS Protection
  • Anti-Malware 
  • Multi-Factor Authentication
  • Risk Management Tools
  • Anti-Phishing Software
  • End-End Encryption
  • Cold Storage Mechanisms
  • Data Privacy Measures
  • Adherence to local & regulatory compliance

Having packed with this advanced feature set, our crypto derivatives exchange development not just focuses on functionality. We integrate various money-making factors to make your business a profitable venture. 

Revenue Streams of Our Crypto Derivatives Exchange

The below-listed revenue strategies can truly maintain the long-term sustainability of your business. Strategize these opportunities to your benefit and business goals to maximize the profit potential. 

Trading Fee This is the primary revenue source. You can charge a small percentage or a fixed sum on every trade users make in the platform, creating a steady income flow. 

Deposit/Withdrawal Fee – The platform admin can levy a withdrawal or deposit fee. Every time the users withdraw or deposit their crypto or contract, they would need to pay a sum of fee. 

Margin Trading Fee – The traders can use leverage options to borrow funds from the exchange platform. The platform facilitates the smooth functioning of this process and can charge interest on the borrowed amount. 

Subscription Fee – The derivative platform can offer termly or consumption-based fees by offering premium subscription services. This might include APIs, advanced analytical tools, and unique features. 

Advertisements – You may use your derivatives trading platform as a medium to run third-party advertisements. Also, doing promotions or engaging in cross-selling activities might generate quick and huge profits. 

Thus, our crypto derivative exchange development is a profitable business venture, but the real challenge lies in the strategic launch of the said platform. This is where our development process comes in. 

Our Crypto Derivatives Exchange Development Process

Building your crypto derivatives exchange from the ground up requires perfect planning and smooth execution. That’s why we follow a 6-step standard approach to launch your crypto derivatives trading platform effortlessly.

Define the Derivative Flow

Begin your Crypto Derivatives exchange development process by defining your trading flow. Our team here collaborates with you to understand your platform needs, functionalities, and your business goals.  Be it futures, options, or perpetual contracts, we design platforms with a seamless user experience. 

Set up Trading Logic

Once the flow is determined, we move to develop the core trading logic that powers up your platform. This stage includes creating algorithms, looking out for trade execution operations, and finalizing settlement procedures. This step ensures that the platform functions optimally, stays in relevant to market conditions and trends.  

Incorporate risk & margin controls

Incorporating risk management tools is a crucial factor in the crypto derivatives market. We implement effective risk and margin controls, including features like automated margin calls, liquidation mechanisms, and hedging options. Our Crypto derivatives exchange development is designed to help users manage their risks and operations effectively.  

Third-Party Integration

Now, adding up the necessary third-party integration and API tools will enhance your platform’s performance. Payment gateways, Wallets, Market Data Providers, Liquidity Providers, and other essential third-party tools additions are done here. We ensure that external services are smoothly incorporated, providing accurate market data, and compliance with global regulations. 

Assured Deployment

With the foundation building done, our team of quality testers will ensure the quality of the developed product. After this, upon the client’s approval, we plan out the deployment process.  With a clear launch plan, we deploy the scalable derivatives platform securely, targeting your niche. Each detail is planned carefully to avoid inefficiencies and disruptions. 

Post Launch Campaigns

After launch, the derivatives exchange platform has a step to look over – Post-launch Maintenance. We help you in planning and conducting strategic marketing campaigns to form a reliable community. Besides, our developers provide tech support and updates after launch to stay tall among your competitors.

Reading all this might have raised questions about….

Development Cost: How Much Does It Take?

On average, a crypto derivatives exchange costs $15,000–$20,000+, depending on:

  • Platform complexity

  • Feature set (basic vs. advanced)

  • Technology stack

  • Development team expertise

  • Regulatory requirements

Factors like these can either save or extend your planned budget. That’s why it’s always recommended to get a detailed price quotation based on your business requirements before proceeding with your Crypto Derivatives Trading Platform Development. 

Check our detailed guide for a better understanding >> How Much Does it Cost to Create a Crypto Exchange

Why Choose Pixel Web Solutions for Crypto Derivatives Exchange Development Services?

With over a decade of experience, Pixel Web Solutions stands out as a leading Crypto Exchange Development Company. We will stand by your side as a reliable tech partner, offering secure and scalable Crypto derivatives exchange development services. We have a separate team of blockchain experts and market analysts who will combine their tech knowledge to stand against the current market demands. From setting goals to integrating advanced functionalities, A to Z, our in-house developers take care of everything, ensuring timely deployment.

Build your crypto derivatives exchange with Pixel Web Solutions today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who regulates crypto derivatives?

For USA – CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission), Japan – FSA (Financial Services Agency), UK – FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), and Singapore – MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore). Several other countries have their own regulatory bodies to oversee the operations of the crypto derivatives market. 

What is the key difference between Futures and Swaps?

Futures contracts have a fixed expiration date, while perpetual swaps have no fixed expiry period. 

How big is the crypto derivatives market?

As of recently, the crypto derivative market’s monthly volume stands at more than 1 trillion USD, signifying its immense potential and usage among crypto enthusiasts. 

How Secure Are Crypto Derivatives Trading Platforms?

Pixel Web Solutions prioritizes clients’ security and trust first. Thus, our crypto derivatives trading platform development comes with high-tech security integrations and advanced safeguarding protocols. 

author

About Author

Mathibharathi Mariselvan

Mathibharathi Mariselvan is the Co-founder and Director of Pixel Web Solutions, a global software development company specializing in web, mobile, and blockchain solutions. With a proven track record of delivering 500+ successful projects, he has empowered startups and enterprises to adopt cutting-edge technologies and scale efficiently. Known for fostering a culture of innovation, he has spearheaded transformative solutions across blockchain, fintech, AI, and beyond. With a strong entrepreneurial vision and deep technical expertise, he has helped position Pixel Web Solutions as a trusted global technology partner.

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