India’s cryptocurrency market is on a steady growth trajectory, projected to reach USD 13.9 billion by 2033, with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.48% from 2025 to 2033.
As the market expands, traders are looking for more efficient ways to participate without directly holding cryptocurrencies. This is where crypto derivatives come into play.
Without physically possessing cryptocurrencies, crypto derivatives allow traders to predict the prices of cryptocurrencies. Derivatives have now established themselves as integral components of the cryptocurrency market, assisting traders in managing risks, hedging investments, and overall profit maximization.
In this blog, we are going to take a look at the journey of crypto derivatives and their overall impact on the market and show how Delta Exchange makes crypto derivatives trading easier, safer, and more convenient for Indian users.
What Are Crypto Derivatives?
In simple terms, crypto derivatives are contracts based on the value of a cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or Ether. Instead of owning the actual asset, traders enter into agreements that allow them to gain profit from price movements.
Types of Crypto Derivatives
Crypto derivatives mainly come in two forms:
- Futures Contracts – These allow traders to agree on buying or selling a cryptocurrency at a fixed price on a future date.
- Options Contracts – These give traders the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell a cryptocurrency at a set price within a specific time frame.
Example for Beginners
You believe Bitcoin’s price will go up in the next month. Instead of buying Bitcoin directly, you can enter a futures contract that allows you to buy Bitcoin at today’s price in 30 days. If Bitcoin’s price rises by then, you make a profit. If it falls, you take a loss.
Similarly, with options contracts, you can decide later whether to proceed with the purchase or not, depending on whether it’s profitable for you.
The Growth of Crypto Derivatives: A Quick Timeline
Crypto derivatives have inched their way into being a major part of the crypto ecosystem over the years. Here is a sequential view of how they developed:
2016
For the very first time in 2016, BitMEX was the one introducing perpetual futures in Bitcoin, a newly found way of trading in crypto. Perpetual futures are not like other futures contracts that expire and cease to exist on a certain date. In perpetual futures, traders can maintain their positions for as long as they want; hence, trading becomes more functionally flexible, allowing traders to make money from both short-term price changes and long-term price changes.
2017
2017 was a major breakthrough year, with the CME, or the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, launching Bitcoin futures. This was a major milestone because for the first time, a traditional financial institution of great stature approved the offering of crypto derivatives. With the CME’s regulatory backing and infrastructure support, larger players like banks and hedge funds entered the crypto economy, taking it a few steps into the mainstream.
2021-2022
Derivatives trading mushroomed as cryptocurrencies became popular. By 2022, crypto derivatives constituted more than 75% of the total crypto market’s trading volume. Among the many reasons for this colossal growth:
More big investors joined – Hedge funds and institutions started using crypto derivatives.
High market volatility – Traders were using futures and options to reduce risks and increase returns.
Better trading tools – Exchanges launched automated trading bots and risk management strategies to help traders.
Growth in DeFi – Decentralized finance platforms introduced on-chain derivatives, allowing more people to trade without going through traditional exchanges.
2025
With greater clarity in regulation and rising demand, India is emerging as one of the leading hubs for trading in crypto futures and options. Platforms like Delta Exchange are assisting Indian traders with:
- Trading in INR – Indian users can deposit and withdraw money directly in INR, without needing to convert to USDT or other stablecoins.
- Regulated platform – Delta Exchange is registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), making it a compliant and safer platform for Indian traders.
- Advanced trading tools – Traders in India can now access high leverage options, automated crypto strategies, and professional trading tools used by global investors.
- A growing crypto community – More Indian retail traders, institutions, and fintech companies are joining the crypto derivatives market, making India a key player in the global crypto economy.
Why Are Crypto Derivatives So Popular?
Crypto derivatives are not just for experienced traders. Here’s why they have become widely used:
- Lower Risk – Traders can hedge against losses by betting on price movements in both directions.
- Higher Profit Potential – With leverage, traders can multiply their profits (but also their risks).
- No Need to Own Crypto – Traders don’t need to buy, store, or secure actual cryptocurrencies.
- More Flexibility – Futures and options allow traders to plan for the future and control their investments better.
Why Choose Delta Exchange?
Best crypto futures and options trading platform
As crypto derivatives gain popularity, Delta Exchange is leading the way by offering a seamless and feature-rich crypto trading platform in India.
1. INR Deposits & Withdrawals
Unlike many global platforms that require USDT or USD, Delta Exchange supports INR transactions, making it easier and cheaper for Indian users to trade.
2. Wide Range of Crypto Derivatives
Delta Exchange allows trading in:
- Bitcoin (BTC) futures and options
- Ethereum (ETH) derivatives
- Solana (SOL) and other altcoins
- Advanced trading instruments like deep in-the-money (ITM) and out-of-the-money (OTM) options
3. High Leverage (Up to 100x)
Leverage lets you control a bigger trade with a smaller investment. For example, with ₹1,000, you can trade ₹1,00,000 worth of BTC using 100x leverage. However, higher leverage also increases risks.
5. Beginner-Friendly Interface
Delta Exchange is designed to be easy to use, even for traders who are new to crypto F&O trading.
How to Get Started with Delta Exchange
Trading on Delta Exchange is simple:
- Sign Up – Visit Delta Exchange and create an account.
- Deposit INR – Add funds using available payment methods.
- Explore Trading Options – Choose from futures and options trading on BTC, ETH, and more.
- Start Trading – Use Delta’s advanced tools to make informed trades.
- Withdraw INR Easily – Withdraw your profits seamlessly.
You can also download the Delta Exchange app to trade anytime, anywhere!
Conclusion
Crypto derivatives offer better risk management, higher profit potential, and more flexibility. Delta Exchange is at the forefront of this evolution and provides Indian traders with an easy-to-use, INR-compatible platform packed with powerful trading tools.
If you’re looking for the best crypto exchange in India, Delta Exchange is definitely worth considering.
FAQs
1. Can one deposit INR in Delta Exchange?
Indeed, Delta Exchange has outlined support for deposits and withdrawals in INR thus bringing the concept of easy trade toward its Indian counterpart.
2. What is the minimum amount required for trading?
You can trade with the minimum between the contract type: that is ₹5,000 for the BTC contract and ₹2,500 for the ETH contract.
3. Does Delta Exchange have leverage?
100x maximum leverage is available on Delta Exchange for any futures contract. Thus, one can control a larger position by investing in a smaller one.
4. Is it good to start with Delta Exchange?
Undoubtedly, Delta Exchange offers an easy interface, informative resources, and simple tools for beginner trading.
Disclaimer: Crypto trading is risky due to market volatility. Always conduct thorough research before investing.
