The Crash Index is a synthetic market with a very particular behaviour: most of the time its price drifts slowly upward, and every now and then it makes a sudden, sharp downward spike. Traders are attracted by those spikes, but they are also what makes Crash indices dangerous for beginners.
Crash Indices
Crash Indices are synthetic markets that drift slowly upward and then suddenly spike downward. The number (300, 500 or 1000) is the average number of ticks between spikes.
Crash Indices at a Glance
- Type
- Synthetic index (simulated market)
- Available versions
- Crash 300, Crash 500 and Crash 1000
- Main behaviour
- Upward drift with occasional sharp downward spikes
- What the number means
- The average number of ticks between spikes
- Trading hours
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Affected by news?
- No, prices are algorithm-generated
Specifications are simplified and may change. Confirm current details with your broker.
Risk warning: synthetic indices are simulated, fast-moving and high-risk. You can lose your entire deposit. This page is educational, not advice. See the Risk Disclaimer.
What is the Crash Index?
The Crash Index is a simulated market generated by a computer algorithm. Between spikes, the price moves in small steps that gradually drift upward. Then, at random moments, the price makes a sudden, large downward spike. The pattern repeats indefinitely, day and night.
It is the mirror image of the Boom Index, which drifts the other way and spikes in the opposite direction.
What do Crash 300, 500 and 1000 mean?
The number is the average number of ticks between spikes. On average, Crash 1000 produces one spike about every 1,000 ticks, Crash 500 about every 500 ticks, and Crash 300 about every 300 ticks.
| Index | Average spike frequency | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Crash 300 | About 1 spike per 300 ticks | Spikes happen most often |
| Crash 500 | About 1 spike per 500 ticks | A middle ground |
| Crash 1000 | About 1 spike per 1000 ticks | Longer waits between spikes |
Important: “average” does not mean “regular”. A spike can come right after the previous one or much later than the average. Nobody can tell you when the next spike will happen.
Why traders are attracted to it
The idea is simple: catch a spike and make a large profit in seconds. Many social media videos show exactly that. What they do not show is the long stretches of slow upward drift and the accounts that were wiped out while waiting for a spike, or by trading against one.
How the price behaves between spikes
Between spikes the price does not stand still: it drifts upward, tick by tick. A trader who bets on a spike by buying (or selling) too early pays for every tick of that drift while waiting. A trader who trades with the drift can make small gains, but a single sudden downward spike can erase many of them at once, especially with a large lot size or no stop loss.
Why do so many beginners lose money on Crash?
- Spikes are unpredictable, so waiting for one is a costly gamble.
- Trading against the spike direction without a stop loss can wipe out an account in a single move.
- Large lot sizes turn one spike into a huge loss.
- The always-open market encourages over-trading.
- Many people follow “spike catching” systems that do not work reliably on random data.
Which one is best for a beginner?
None of them is safe. The smaller number (300) has more frequent spikes; the larger number (1000) has longer gaps. Whichever you choose, use a demo account first, the smallest lot size, and a stop loss on every trade. Read the pages on Crash 300, Crash 500 and Crash 1000 to compare.
Risk warning
Spikes can be very large compared with normal ticks, and stop losses may not fill at your chosen price. You can lose your entire deposit quickly. Never trade with money you cannot afford to lose. Read our Risk Disclaimer and risk management rules.
Crash Indices Guides
Crash 300 Index
Crash 300 Index is a synthetic index that drifts slowly upward and spikes downward about once every 300 ticks...
Crash 500 Index
Crash 500 Index is a synthetic index that drifts slowly upward and spikes downward about once every 500 ticks...
Crash 1000 Index
Crash 1000 Index is a synthetic index that drifts slowly upward and spikes downward about once every 1000 tick...
Crash Indices FAQ
What is the Crash Index? +
The Crash Index is a synthetic market that drifts slowly upward and then suddenly spikes downward. It is generated by a computer algorithm and is available 24/7.
What do Crash 300, 500 and 1000 mean? +
The number is the average number of ticks between spikes. Crash 300 has spikes about every 300 ticks on average, Crash 500 about every 500, and Crash 1000 about every 1,000. The gaps are random, so the average does not predict when the next spike will occur.
Can you predict when a Crash spike will happen? +
No. Spikes occur at random. No indicator or system can reliably predict the exact moment.
Is Crash a real market? +
No. It is simulated, so news and economic events do not affect it.
Is Crash good for beginners? +
It carries a high risk of loss. Beginners should practise on a demo account, use tiny lot sizes, and always use a stop loss.
Practise Before You Risk Real Money
Try these indices on a free demo account first, and read our beginner guides.