What Is Fixed Time Trading? How FTT Works, Step by Step
A clear guide to Fixed Time Trading, also known as binary options: how a trade works, how the payout is calculated, a numeric example and the main risks.
6 min readBinary options guide
Binary options explained: how Fixed Time Trading works
Fixed-time trades are widely known as binary options. Learn how they work, how the payout math works and what risks you should understand first.
Trading involves high risk; you can lose all the money invested.
- $1Minimum trade
- Up to 92%Payout on selected assets
- 100+Assets to trade
- 24/7OTC assets, weekends included
- $15Minimum crypto deposit
- $50,000Free demo balance
Fixed Time Trading
How a fixed-time trade works
Pick an asset, amount and time
Forex, crypto, commodities, stocks or indices. Trade from $1 with an expiration from 3 seconds to 4 hours.
Make your prediction
Press Buy if you think the price will end higher, or Sell if you think it will end lower. The payout is locked when you open.
Result at expiration
If you are right, you get your amount back plus the payout. If you are wrong, you lose the trade amount. Same price means a refund.
Fixed Time Trading and binary options
Fixed-time trades are widely known as binary options. The name "binary" means "two". Each trade has two main outcomes: your prediction is right, or it is wrong. On Bitvyl we call this product Fixed Time Trading (FTT), because every trade has a fixed end time that you choose before you open it.
The idea is simple. You do not buy the asset itself. You only predict the direction of its price.
- Buy means you predict the price will be higher than the opening price when the trade expires.
- Sell means you predict the price will be lower than the opening price when the trade expires.
The size of the move does not matter. If you press Buy and the price closes just a little higher, the trade is a win. If it closes a little lower, the trade is a loss. If the price is exactly the same, the trade is a draw and your amount is refunded.
For a beginner-friendly introduction, read What is Fixed Time Trading?.
How a binary options trade works on Bitvyl
Every trade has four parts:
- Asset. Choose from more than 100 assets: forex, crypto, commodities, stocks and indices, in OTC and real-market versions.
- Amount. From US$ 1 up to US$ 5,000 per trade. On the real account, the maximum also depends on your loyalty level.
- Expiration. From 3 seconds to 4 hours. You can also choose an exact expiration time, at least 30 seconds ahead.
- Direction. Buy (higher) or Sell (lower).
Before you open the trade, the platform shows the payout. When you open it, the payout is locked. It will not change during your trade, even if the payout for that asset changes later.
Not sure how long your trades should last? See how to choose an expiration time.
The payout math
The payout is the percentage of profit you receive on a winning trade. On Bitvyl, payouts go up to 92% on selected assets. They vary by asset and during the day.
Example with a 92% payout
| Result | What happens to a US$ 10 trade |
|---|---|
| Correct prediction | You receive US$ 19.20 (US$ 10 back + US$ 9.20 profit) |
| Wrong prediction | You lose US$ 10 |
| Same price (draw) | Your US$ 10 is refunded |
Why this math matters
Look at the numbers again. A win gives you US$ 9.20. A loss costs you US$ 10. So a win is worth less than a loss.
Imagine you open 10 trades of US$ 10 each and you win exactly 5 of them. You earn 5 × US$ 9.20 = US$ 46. You lose 5 × US$ 10 = US$ 50. After 10 trades, you are down US$ 4, even though you were right half of the time.
With a 92% payout, you need to be right in a little more than 52 out of every 100 trades just to break even. With a lower payout, you need an even higher success rate. This is the most important number to understand before you trade.
The risks you should know
Binary options and other fixed-time trades carry high risk. Be honest with yourself about these points:
- You can lose your full trade amount on every losing trade. Many losses in a row can empty your account.
- Short trades are hard to predict. In a few seconds or a few minutes, price moves can be close to random.
- Speed can lead to emotional trading. It is easy to open the next trade too fast after a loss, to try to win the money back.
- Bitvyl is the counterparty. In fixed-time trades, the platform is the counterparty to clients' trades. This is how this type of product works.
- OTC quotes are generated by Bitvyl from market references. They are not exchange-traded.
Signals, indicators and copy trading can help you make decisions, but none of them guarantee results. Only trade money you can afford to lose. Our article on common beginner mistakes shows the errors to avoid.
How to start step by step
- Learn the basics. Understand the payout math above.
- Practise for free. Use the free demo account with US$ 50,000 in virtual funds. It has the same quotes and tools as the real account.
- Make a plan. Decide your trade size, your daily loss limit and the assets you will trade. A common rule is to risk only 1–2% of your balance per trade. With US$ 100, that is US$ 1–2 per trade. See risk management and position sizing.
- Fund your account. Deposit with crypto, from US$ 15. Read crypto deposits first.
- Start small and review. Keep a simple record of your trades. Check your results every week.
You can also learn from others with copy trading, but keep the risks in mind. Go back to the Bitvyl home page to see all platform features.
Platform
Everything in one place
Free demo account$50,000 in virtual funds you can refill, with the same quotes and tools as the real account.Copy tradingFollow other traders with a fixed amount per trade, in demo or real, and pause any time.Crypto depositsUSDT, USDC, BTC, ETH and more on many networks. From $15, with no Bitvyl fee.Affiliate programUp to 70% Revenue Share for creators, educators and communities, paid daily in crypto.Trading guidesRisk management, candlesticks, indicators and psychology, explained step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Are binary options and Fixed Time Trading the same?
Fixed-time trades are widely known as binary options. On Bitvyl, the product is called Fixed Time Trading (FTT). You predict if the price will be higher or lower at a fixed end time.
How is the payout calculated?
The payout is a percentage of your trade amount. With a US$ 10 trade at 92%, a correct prediction returns US$ 19.20, which is US$ 9.20 profit. A wrong prediction loses the US$ 10.
What happens if the price does not change?
If the closing price is exactly the same as the opening price, the trade is a draw. Your trade amount is refunded.
What is the minimum trade?
The minimum trade is US$ 1. The maximum is US$ 5,000 per trade, and on the real account it also depends on your loyalty level.
Which assets can I trade?
You can trade more than 100 assets, including forex, crypto, commodities, stocks and indices. OTC versions are available 24/7, including weekends.
Are binary options risky?
Yes. They carry high risk and you can lose all the money you invest. Practise on the demo account first and only trade money you can afford to lose.
Recommended guides
See all guides →
How to Choose the Right Expiration Time for Your Trades
Expiration time can decide a trade as much as direction. Learn how to match it to your chart, avoid market noise and choose between duration and exact time.
5 min read
Risk Management and Position Sizing: The Math Every Trader Needs
How much should you invest per trade? Learn the 1-2% rule, daily loss limits, the danger of doubling after a loss and the break-even win rate for your payout.
6 min readPractise first, without risking money
Create your account in under a minute and get $50,000 in virtual funds to try Fixed Time Trading at your own pace.