How to Start Binary Options Trading in 7 Simple Steps

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How to Start Binary Trading in 2024:

  • 1

    Choose the market you want to trade in and research market trends to help you develop your strategy

  • 2

    Estimate the returns

  • 3

    Decide on a trading asset

  • 4

    Choose a reliable broker

  • 5

    Open a trading account and fund it

  • 6

    Select a strike price and an expiration

  • 7

    Place your first trade

Investing in the financial markets holds potential for profit but comes with risk. For investors seeking a new avenue with a simpler design, binary options may appeal. Comprising a yes or no proposition within a set timeframe, binary options afford understanding market movements in a condensed format. Yet navigating this arena brings challenges to the uninitiated.

This guide aims to equip novice traders with a step-by-step approach to participating judiciously in this sphere. Outlined herein are essential considerations for selecting stable brokers and viable assets to trade. Also detailed are technical analyses and risk management techniques to help evaluate positions judiciously. While binary options may offer an expeditious pathway into investing, one must proceed cautiously. By comprehending the fundamentals in this primer, readers can work to tilt the odds prudently in their favor.

  • Can you trade binary options part-time?

    Yes, binary options can be traded on a part-time basis. Traders have the flexibility to choose their trade frequency, from intraday trading to weekly/monthly trades. Effective analysis and risk management are still important on a part-time schedule.

  • Is it possible to earn a living from binary options trading?

    While it is possible if done successfully full-time, binary options alone are generally not considered a reliable primary income source due to the high risk nature.

  • Can you trade binary options from any country?

    No, binary options are illegal or restricted in some countries. Traders must ensure the broker and trading is legally permitted in their jurisdiction. U.S. residents cannot trade binaries due to a regulatory ban.

  • What trading assets have the highest payout rates?

    Generally, exotic Forex pairs and indexes have the highest maximum payouts advertised at 80-90%. Major currencies may be around 75%, while commodities and stocks tend towards 70%. But returns depend more on broker than asset class.

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What are binary options?

Binary options are a method to make money on the financial markets. The key advantages of these instruments lay in the simplicity of work and in the possibility to get high, and most importantly, known-in-advance profits from your transactions. All you have to do is find the right way to determine how the price of a certain asset (currencies, oils, or stocks) will change during a specific time.

But like many trading methods binary options may have some disadvantages. For example, if you fail to correctly determine the changes in the exchange rate of the assets, then you will lose your bet.

Novice traders can try binary options copy trading. With this tool, you will earn your first profit and be able to follow experienced traders.

How to get started with binary trading?

Following are some steps you can take to start predicting asset price movements if you're wondering how to start binary trading:

Step1: Identify the market you want to trade and know the trends in the market to build your strategy

Understanding and identifying the underlying market, which is the market you want to trade, is among the first factors to consider when learning how to start binary trading. Of the essential components that make up a binary option contract, the underlying market is the first. The strike price, crucial to binary option decision-making, is another factor to consider.

Determine whether the underlying market will be above or below the strike before placing a trade. Next, choose the expiration date and time at which these predictions will lose their validity.

You need to be aware of market trends to develop your binary trading strategy. Among seasoned traders, there is a saying that it is best to "trade with the trend". The market trend, they say, is your best friend when trading.

Therefore, when trading binary options, follow trends without paying attention to the market or the asset. Because the binary options market is based on trader speculation and occurs in real time, asset prices fluctuate with trends. So expect prices to grow or shrink with their associated assets.

Step 2: Estimate the returns

Some brokers offer an approximate 80% return on your wager if you get it right and a 100% loss if you don't. Although binary options trading gives a higher investment return, estimate the returns before you trade. And this follows after you identify the market you want to trade and the trend to follow.

Step 3: Pick an asset to trade

The next step is to choose an asset to trade after estimating the potential returns. You must thoroughly research the available markets before engaging in binary options trading. Binary options trading allows you to trade almost anything, but trading currency pairs is simpler. Trading this type of asset involves predicting which currency will soon be worth more than the other.

Other assets for trading binary options include:

Stocks: Usually brokers offer top 20-30 the most popular US stocks like Apple, Tesla and Facebook

Commodities: Gold, silver, and oil are popular binary trade choices based on their typically lower volatility

Indices: Indexes enable greater risk diversification because your investment is spread across more stocks. Investors with the more in-depth market knowledge and binary options trading experience frequently choose indices

Step 4: Choose a reliable broker

Be mindful of the brokers you encounter online; do not be moved by their attractive offers or bonuses if you have not proven their reputation. Verify that a national, regional, or international financial organization regulates the binary options broker you choose. If you are certain that the broker is authorized and complies with the entity's rules, you should look into how long they have been in business.

Reading the reviews that previous investors have left on the platform is another smart move. However, remember that some brokers may have fake reviews.

A trustworthy broker is licensed, provides a variety of trading assets, and has an intuitive and thorough user interface. Additionally, it incorporates a wide range of trading indicators to improve trading efficiency and increase profit potential.

Step 5: Open a trading account and fund it

Once you are satisfied with the services of any broker, carefully follow the instructions provided by that broker to open a trading account. Although the procedure differs for various brokers, the majority of them demand that you prove your identity. By doing this, the broker confirms that you are the rightful owner of the binary options trading account you are registering.

Making your first deposit is the next step if the verification process is successful. But the question is, “How much money do you need to start binary trading?

Check your broker's minimum investment and deposit requirements before investing any money. Some of these brokers will indicate the minimum amount you can deposit.

Step 6: Select a strike price and an expiration

Selecting a strike balance refers to the price at which you resolve to sell or buy an asset. You can think of the strike price as the level a trader believes the market will be above or below. Hence, it is among the crucial choices a trader or investor must make when deciding on a particular option.

The next debate is the expiration time for the asset you are predicting will rise or fall in value. There is a strike price for each binary option contract. The contracts you want to trade and the deadline by which your prediction must be correct are decisions you make.

On most trading platforms, sorting options by expiration date allows you to see contracts about to expire in the next few hours or days. Contracts expire by the end of the trading week, except for those based on economic events.

Importantly, to better comprehend strike prices, expiry times, and how they function, trade with a demo account.

Step 7: Place your first trade

If you have had enough experience and exposure practicing with the demo account, switch to your real account to place your first trade. And as a beginner, it is best practice to invest about 1% of the total funds in your trading account.

Ensure to do the following:

  • You change the investment per trade to the amount you desire

  • Decide when the binary option will expire

  • Analyze the situation and select a specific plan of action

  • Observe the binary option until it expires and track the outcomes

Note:

Choose whether you want to buy or sell the binary option based on the expiration date and strike price. If you are confident that the asset will be worth more than the strike price when the option expires, you should buy it. You sell the binary option if you anticipate that the asset will trade for less than the strike price.

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How to successfully trade binary options

Your goal of learning how to start binary trading is fruitless if you do not know the fundamentals of trading binary options successfully. Market volatility for binary options trading is very high. So, you might suffer sizable losses even with the appropriate skills and plans in place.

However, a fundamental understanding of risk management and knowing how to research the market are paramount. You need this information to choose the appropriate trade size and time to enter the market. But if you read to this point, you are in good shape to start trading. But to fine-tune your skills and experience further, there are factors you must not forget when trading binary options.

Below are even more important points you must integrate:

  • Ensure you understand the market trends before trading binary options

  • Always inspect the assets you want to trade

  • Verify that the strike price and expiration time you choose are based on the analysis of the assets and the trend pattern

  • Wait for expiration

Remember, trades don’t always flow as planned. So open a position with capital you can afford to risk. Limit your losses by closing out positions early if you notice that the markets are trending against you. If the markets are trending in your favor and you are content with the accumulated profits, close the position to keep the profits.

Closing out when the market is moving in your favor is a way to manage risk. This is because your contract runs the risk of expiring at zero if the markets turn against you before the time you specify for its expiration.

Trading binary options can result in significant profits, but the associated risks should discourage you from making a significant initial investment. So, it is recommended not to risk more than 5% of your total capital with binary options trading.

Helpful pointers for those just getting started with binary trading

As a beginner, only risk about 1% to 2% of your total capital. And always practice with a binary options demo account if you’re new to this trading strategy

Use price charts and other technical analysis tools. These tools will provide you with a historical perspective on the past behavior of the asset you are trading and a prediction of its potential future behavior

Since the trading platform keeps a record of your order history, review your prior trades. These outdated trades can help you hone your developing trading abilities. Learning about the errors you made may serve as a roadmap for better tactics for upcoming binary options trades. You can also find out information about binary options trading journal

Best binary strategies for beginners

A wrong prediction can cost you your savings. So, here is a list of ways to use binary options to lower the risk and increase the return. Despite being tried and tested, these strategies do not guarantee a 100% profit. When you invest in binary options, you should only invest what you can afford to lose because there is a higher risk involved. Some strategies might work for you while others might not, so you must test them through trial and error.

1. Follow the trends

Following the trends is the most common strategy employed by most traders. It is about tracking the price trends of the asset you are interested in trading. This is because asset prices are associated with the trends in the market. Even though it looks like one of the most accessible strategies, it is not as straightforward as you think. This is because the prices move in a "zig-zag" pattern instead of the usual up or down pattern. Usually, a flat line means you should move on to another asset, while a rising line means prices are going up, so you should keep the asset. It is one of the safest strategies and does not give as much return as riskier trades.

2. Follow the news

This is usually a good fit for your first plan. If you keep up with the news about your asset, you can figure out how it will trade. Following the news is a lot easier than doing technical analysis, so it's great for traders who are just starting out. After you choose your asset, look at the news online, on TV, on the radio, and in the newspaper. Follow tech companies and you'll be able to tell when they're about to make an announcement. If a company is about to release a new product, you can buy options and wait for the profits to come in once the product is released.

3. The straddle strategy

Along with the news strategy, the straddle strategy is also used. Straddle trades should be made before that important announcement we talked about in the last section. After the announcement, the price of that asset might go up for a short time, but you'll need to buy an option that predicts the price will go down again. Once that price starts to go down, you'll have to call a different option and hope the price goes back up. Basically, you use trend swings to make money no matter how much the price of the options you choose changes.

4. The Pinocchio strategy

This strategy is a lot like the last one because a trader has to bet against the trend. If the price of an asset has been going up, the trader should buy an option with the hope that the price will go down. Keeping this in mind, the trader should choose an option based on the expectation that the price of the asset will go up if it is in a downward trend. Check your candlestick chart to see if the market is bearish or bullish at the time. This is shown by whether the candle is light or dark. If the wick is going down, you should buy a call option. If the wick is pointing up, you should instead buy a put option.

5. The 60-Second strategy

The 60-second strategy is focused on trading binary options with a one-minute expiration. All you need to do is a technical analysis to figure out what prices will be at the time the binary option expires. This is a good strategy because more trades can be made when the expiration is less than a minute than when it is an hour or longer. Also, this strategy is easy for people who are just starting to use it.

The prices should stay between the support and resistance levels, and this is the only strategy that can be used. This strategy can work when prices are less likely to change quickly. With this plan, you can make money quickly, but you can also lose money quickly. This risk can be lessened in part through technical analysis.

6. The 5-Minute strategy

The 5-minute expiration trading strategy is another one that is very popular among people who invest in binary options. Trades with a 5-minute expiration date still have the same amount of volatility as trades with a 60-second expiration date, but the overall trend is more clear, which makes your predictions more reliable. The 5-minute binary options strategy, like 60-second techniques, depends on technical indicators, particularly candlestick charts. You should look at them every minute to get the most accurate information.

Binary options trading risks

The risks of binary trading are as follows:

  • Binary Scams: As with all types of investments, there is always a risk of being scammed. Therefore, you must make sure the platform is well-regulated, histories, reputable, etc

  • Timelines: When making binary trades, long-term trades are less risky than short-term ones

  • Market conditions: Successful traders must learn how to assess market conditions. This is because binary options prices fluctuate depending on the value of the underlying assets

  • Trade sizes: To become successful in binary trading, setting trade sizes is key. Larger trade sizes carry higher risks

What's the minimum deposit for a binary broker?

The binary options trading minimum deposit is the amount of money that a trader must have in their account before they can begin trading stocks. This amount is typically set by the broker and varies from one platform to another. Generally speaking, most brokers will require a minimum deposit ranging between 5 to 50 USD minimum and 1 dollar minimum bet.

While this may seem like a small sum, it’s important to remember that with larger deposits comes greater risk as well as potential returns. Therefore, traders should always be aware of their own financial means when deciding how much capital they want to invest in order to maximize profits while limiting losses.

When selecting a broker for binary option trading, it’s important to research thoroughly and make sure that their minimum deposit requirement fits within your budget and risk appetite. Additionally, some platforms offer bonuses or other incentives for making larger deposits which could further improve your potential return on investment.

It is also wise to compare fees associated with different brokers as these can vary greatly depending on the company you choose so be sure to check if there are any hidden costs such as maintenance fees or commissions before signing up with any particular broker.

Top 10 Binary Options Brokers With Low Minimum Deposit

Glossary for novice traders

  • 1 Broker

    A broker is a legal entity or individual that performs as an intermediary when making trades in the financial markets. Private investors cannot trade without a broker, since only brokers can execute trades on the exchanges.

  • 2 Trading

    Trading involves the act of buying and selling financial assets like stocks, currencies, or commodities with the intention of profiting from market price fluctuations. Traders employ various strategies, analysis techniques, and risk management practices to make informed decisions and optimize their chances of success in the financial markets.

  • 3 Options trading

    Options trading is a financial derivative strategy that involves the buying and selling of options contracts, which give traders the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specified price, known as the strike price, before or on a predetermined expiration date. There are two main types of options: call options, which allow the holder to buy the underlying asset, and put options, which allow the holder to sell the underlying asset.

  • 4 Binary options trading

    Binary options trading is a financial trading method where traders speculate on the price movement of various assets, such as stocks, currencies, or commodities, by predicting whether the price will rise or fall within a specified time frame, often as short as a few minutes. Unlike traditional trading, binary options have only two possible outcomes: a fixed payout if the trader's prediction is correct or a loss of the invested amount if the prediction is wrong.

  • 5 Investor

    An investor is an individual, who invests money in an asset with the expectation that its value would appreciate in the future. The asset can be anything, including a bond, debenture, mutual fund, equity, gold, silver, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and real-estate property.

Team that worked on the article

Peter Emmanuel Chijioke
Contributor

Peter Emmanuel Chijioke is a professional personal finance, Forex, crypto, blockchain, NFT, and Web3 writer and a contributor to the Traders Union website. As a computer science graduate with a robust background in programming, machine learning, and blockchain technology, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of software, technologies, cryptocurrency, and Forex trading.

Having skills in blockchain technology and over 7 years of experience in crafting technical articles on trading, software, and personal finance, he brings a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to the table. His skill set encompasses a diverse range of personal finance technologies and industries, making him a valuable asset to any team or project focused on innovative solutions, personal finance, and investing technologies.

Dr. BJ Johnson
Dr. BJ Johnson
Developmental English Editor

Dr. BJ Johnson is a PhD in English Language and an editor with over 15 years of experience. He earned his degree in English Language in the U.S and the UK. In 2020, Dr. Johnson joined the Traders Union team. Since then, he has created over 100 exclusive articles and edited over 300 articles of other authors.

Mirjan Hipolito
Cryptocurrency and stock expert

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).