Dubai’s Crypto Derivatives Market Milestone
On January 5, 2026, Dubai witnessed the conclusion of a competitive series that marked a significant milestone in the crypto derivatives market, having amassed over $24 billion in total notional trading volume throughout the year. This surge in activity highlights the growing interest from both retail and institutional traders in crypto derivatives.
Collaboration and Growth
The collaboration between Deribit and SignalPlus has been pivotal, showing a dramatic evolution from just $1 billion in volume in November 2023 to $8 billion in early 2024, ultimately culminating in a robust $23 billion in 2025 through events like the “Summer Chase” and the “Winter’s Space Edition“.
Market Resilience
Despite facing tumultuous market conditions, including a notable downturn that led to a $19 billion loss in open interest, the derivatives market has exhibited remarkable resilience. This annual trading competition has played a crucial role in engaging traders, supported by a variety of gameplay formats—over ten in total—that included not only perpetual battles but also deposit incentives and attractive prizes like Tesla cars and Unitree robots.
Community Engagement and Education
Luuk Strijers, CEO of Deribit, expressed pride in the community’s engagement and innovative approach to profitability amidst market turbulence. He emphasized that many participants achieved strong financial results even as overall market conditions faltered.
SignalPlus Co-Founder, Chris Yu, congratulated participants for their achievements and underscored the importance of options in equipping traders with tools to manage risk effectively. He stated that the competition has enhanced the trading community’s sophistication and reaffirmed their commitment to providing institutional-grade resources for traders worldwide.
In addition to monetary rewards, the event served as a platform for education, arming participants with essential risk management tools, analytics, and webinars aimed at refining trading strategies. Sidrah Fariq, Deribit’s Head of Retail, highlighted their ongoing success in organizing competitions that adapt to different market conditions, noting the impressive ability of their community to meet challenges head on.
Future Outlook
Amid the evolving landscape of digital assets, Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to solidify their roles in mainstream investment portfolios, transitioning from speculative assets to fundamental components of risk management. Looking forward, Deribit and SignalPlus are gearing up for more initiatives in 2026, including further competitions and collaborations aimed at enhancing options education and automated trading strategies for navigating the digital asset market landscape more effectively.
About Deribit
Deribit operates as a leading centralized exchange specializing in crypto derivatives, offering both options and futures trading with advanced infrastructure for rapid price discovery and deep liquidity. Their robust risk mitigation services and experience in options trading ensure a high standard of operations. Licensed by VARA for virtual asset exchange services, Deribit serves retail clients while ensuring adherence to stringent asset verification protocols.
About SignalPlus
SignalPlus equips traders with a sophisticated options trading dashboard that allows for nuanced risk and profit management, featuring multi-legged order capabilities and analysis tools that improve decision-making and execution efficiency. The platform’s real-time notifications and delta hedging automation serve to empower users to excel in varied market conditions.
