Crypto Trading for Beginners on Delta Exchange: Futures, Options & Spot Explained Simply
So you have heard about crypto trading and you want to get started ā but every time you search online, you are hit with confusing jargon like "perpetual contracts", "strike prices", "margin calls", and "Greeks". It feels like you need a finance degree just to understand the basics.
The good news? You do not.
Delta Exchange ā India's leading FIU-registered crypto derivatives platform ā has been specifically designed to make crypto trading accessible to everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned professionals. And in this guide, we are going to break down everything in plain, simple language.
By the end of this article, you will clearly understand the three main ways to trade on Delta Exchange āĀ Spot Trading,Ā Futures Trading, andĀ Options TradingĀ ā what each one means, how each one works, who each one is suitable for, and how to choose the right one for your goals.
No jargon. No confusion. Just clear, honest explanations.
First Things First ā What is Delta Exchange?
Delta Exchange is India's number one crypto futures and options (F&O) trading platform. It is registered with India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which means it operates legally and fully complies with Indian regulations.
Here is what makes Delta Exchange special for Indian traders:
Everything is settled inĀ Indian Rupees (INR)Ā ā no need to buy stablecoins like USDT first
You can deposit and withdraw directly from yourĀ Indian bank accountĀ via UPI, NEFT, or IMPS
You can start trading with as little asĀ ā¹100
The platform offersĀ Spot,Ā Futures, andĀ OptionsĀ all in one place
There is aĀ free demo accountĀ to practice without risking real money
It is available on bothĀ web and mobile app
No 1% TDSĀ on Futures & Options trading (unlike spot crypto trading)
Now let us understand the three trading instruments available on Delta Exchange.
Part 1: Spot Trading ā The Simplest Way to Start
Spot trading is the most straightforward form of crypto trading. When you do spot trading, you are simplyĀ buying or selling actual cryptocurrencyĀ at the current market price.
Think of it exactly like buying shares on the stock market. When you buy 1 share of Reliance at ā¹2,500, you own that share. Similarly, when you buy 0.001 BTC at the spot price on Delta Exchange, you own that fraction of Bitcoin.
How Spot Trading Works on Delta Exchange
Delta Exchange recently launched spot trading for four major cryptocurrencies:
Bitcoin (BTC)Ā ā The world's largest cryptocurrency
Ethereum (ETH)Ā ā The world's second-largest cryptocurrency
Solana (SOL)Ā ā A fast, low-fee blockchain's native coin
Ripple (XRP)Ā ā A payment-focused cryptocurrency
All spot trades on Delta Exchange are settled inĀ INRĀ ā so you are trading BTC-INR, ETH-INR, SOL-INR, and XRP-INR pairs directly in Indian Rupees.
Spot Trading Fees on Delta Exchange
One of the biggest advantages of Delta Exchange's spot trading is the fee structure:
Buyers:Ā Zero trading fee (0%)
This makes Delta Exchange one of the most cost-effective platforms for buying crypto in India.
A Simple Spot Trading Example
Imagine the current price of Bitcoin is ā¹72,00,000.
You deposit ā¹72,000 into your Delta Exchange account and buy 0.001 BTC at the current market price.
One month later, Bitcoin's price rises to ā¹80,00,000. Your 0.001 BTC is now worth ā¹80,000.
You sell your BTC at ā¹80,000 and make a profit of ā¹8,000 (minus 0.1% seller fee = ā¹80).
Who is Spot Trading Best For?
Spot trading is ideal for:
Complete beginnersĀ who are just starting their crypto journey
Long-term investorsĀ who want to buy and hold Bitcoin or Ethereum over months or years
People who want simplicityĀ ā buy, hold, sell. No complexity.
Conservative investorsĀ who do not want leverage or complex instruments
Spot Trading Pros and Cons
Simple and easy to understand
Zero fees for buyers on Delta Exchange
You actually own the cryptocurrency
INR deposits and withdrawals ā no stablecoins needed
You can only profit if the price goes up (you cannot short)
No leverage ā your profit is limited to how much capital you invest
Subject to 30% flat tax and 1% TDS under Indian crypto tax rules
Part 2: Futures Trading ā Amplify Your Trades with Leverage
Futures trading is a step up from spot trading. Instead of buying the actual cryptocurrency, you are trading aĀ contractĀ that represents the future price of that cryptocurrency.
Here is the key difference from spot trading:
In spot trading, you need ā¹72,00,000 to buy 1 full Bitcoin.
In futures trading, with 10x leverage, you only need ā¹7,20,000 to control a position worth ā¹72,00,000 in Bitcoin.
This is the power of leverage ā it allows you to trade with more capital than you actually have.
Types of Futures on Delta Exchange
Delta Exchange offers two main types of futures contracts:
Perpetual Futures (Perps)Ā ā These contracts have no expiry date. You can hold them for as long as you want. They are the most popular type of crypto futures because of their flexibility. Perpetual futures have a "funding rate" ā a small periodic payment between buyers and sellers to keep the futures price close to the spot price.
Dated FuturesĀ ā These contracts expire on a specific date (daily, weekly, or monthly). When they expire, your position is settled in INR automatically.
How Futures Trading Works ā A Simple Example
Let us say Bitcoin is currently trading at ā¹72,00,000.
You believe Bitcoin will rise in the next week. You open aĀ Long (Buy) positionĀ on BTC Perpetual Futures with:
Position size: ā¹7,20,000 worth of BTC
Bitcoin rises 5% to ā¹75,60,000.
Your position has gained 5% Ć 10x leverage = 50% on your ā¹72,000 capital.
Profit: ā¹36,000Ā ā on just ā¹72,000 invested.
Without leverage, a 5% gain on ā¹72,000 would only give you ā¹3,600.
Going Short ā Profit Even When Prices Fall
This is one of the biggest advantages of futures over spot trading. You can alsoĀ Short (Sell)Ā a futures contract ā meaning you profit when the price falls.
Example: Bitcoin is at ā¹72,00,000 and you believe it will fall.
You open aĀ Short (Sell) positionĀ on BTC Perpetual Futures.
Bitcoin falls 5% to ā¹68,40,000.
You profit from the price decline. With 10x leverage on ā¹72,000, your profit would be ā¹36,000.
This ability to profit in both rising and falling markets is what makes futures so powerful.
Understanding Liquidation
Liquidation is the most important risk in futures trading. When you use leverage, if the market moves against your position by a certain percentage, Delta Exchange will automatically close your position to prevent your losses from exceeding your deposited capital.
Example: You open a 10x leveraged long on BTC at ā¹72,00,000 with ā¹72,000 capital. If BTC drops 10% to ā¹64,80,000, your ā¹72,000 margin is wiped out and your position is liquidated.
This is why risk management is critical in futures trading.Ā Always use stop-loss orders and never use leverage higher than you are comfortable managing.
Key Futures Concepts You Need to Know
MarginĀ ā The amount of capital you deposit to open a leveraged position. Think of it as your security deposit.
LeverageĀ ā The multiplier applied to your position. 10x leverage means every 1% move becomes a 10% gain or loss on your margin.
LongĀ ā Buying a futures contract. You profit if the price rises.
ShortĀ ā Selling a futures contract. You profit if the price falls.
Mark PriceĀ ā The fair price used to calculate your unrealised P&L and liquidation price.
Funding RateĀ ā A periodic payment between long and short holders in perpetual futures to keep the futures price aligned with the spot price.
Liquidation PriceĀ ā The price at which your position will be automatically closed to protect against further losses.
Futures Trading on Delta Exchange ā Key Features
Up to 200x leverageĀ available (beginners should stick to 2xā5x)
BTC, ETH, and 100+ altcoinĀ futures available
Perpetual and datedĀ futures contracts
INR settlementĀ ā profits and losses credited directly in rupees
No 1% TDSĀ on futures trading
Advanced order typesĀ ā Limit, Market, Stop, Bracket, Basket orders
Mobile appĀ ā trade futures on the go 24/7
Who is Futures Trading Best For?
Futures trading is ideal for:
Active tradersĀ who want to profit from both rising and falling markets
Intermediate tradersĀ who understand price movements and risk management
HedgersĀ who want to protect their crypto holdings against price drops
Traders with limited capitalĀ who want to amplify their gains using leverage
Futures Trading Pros and Cons
Profit in both bull and bear markets (long and short)
Leverage amplifies gains significantly
No 1% TDS under Indian tax rules
Losses can be offset against profits (business income treatment)
24/7 markets ā trade anytime
Leverage amplifies losses just as much as gains
Risk of liquidation if the market moves sharply against you
More complex than spot trading ā requires understanding of margin, leverage, and funding rates
Not suitable for complete beginners without practice on demo account first
Part 3: Options Trading ā The Right to Trade, Not the Obligation
Options trading is the most sophisticated of the three instruments ā but also one of the most versatile and powerful. An option gives you theĀ right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a cryptocurrency at a specific price on or before a specific date.
The key phrase here is "but not the obligation." This is what makes options fundamentally different from futures.
When you buy a futures contract, you are obligated to follow through with the trade. But when you buy an option, you can choose whether or not to exercise it. If the market moves against you, you simply do not exercise the option and your maximum loss is limited to the price you paid for the option (called theĀ premium).
Call OptionĀ ā Gives you the right toĀ buyĀ the underlying asset (BTC or ETH) at the strike price. You buy a call when you expect the price toĀ go up.
Put OptionĀ ā Gives you the right toĀ sellĀ the underlying asset at the strike price. You buy a put when you expect the price toĀ go down.
Key Options Terms Explained Simply
Strike PriceĀ ā The price at which you have the right to buy or sell. For example, a BTC Call Option with a strike price of ā¹75,00,000 gives you the right to buy BTC at ā¹75,00,000 regardless of what the market price is.
Expiry DateĀ ā The date on which the option contract expires. Delta Exchange offers daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly expiries.
PremiumĀ ā The price you pay to buy the option. This is your maximum possible loss as an option buyer. If you buy a BTC Call for ā¹5,000 premium, the most you can lose is ā¹5,000 ā even if BTC crashes by 50%.
In the Money (ITM)Ā ā When the option has intrinsic value. For a call option, this means the market price is above the strike price.
Out of the Money (OTM)Ā ā When the option has no intrinsic value yet. For a call option, this means the market price is below the strike price.
At the Money (ATM)Ā ā When the market price is approximately equal to the strike price.
How Options Trading Works ā A Simple Example
Bitcoin is currently at ā¹72,00,000.
You believe BTC will rise significantly in the next week. Instead of buying BTC spot or futures, you buy aĀ BTC Call OptionĀ with:
Strike Price: ā¹75,00,000 (OTM)
Scenario 1 ā BTC rises to ā¹80,00,000 before expiry:Ā Your call option is now worth a lot because you have the right to buy BTC at ā¹75,00,000 when the market price is ā¹80,00,000. The intrinsic value is ā¹5,00,000 per BTC. You profit significantly ā potentially several times your ā¹8,000 premium investment.
Scenario 2 ā BTC stays flat or falls:Ā Your call option expires worthless. You lose ā¹8,000 ā your entire premium. But nothing more. Your loss is capped at exactly what you paid.
This is the beauty of options:Ā unlimited upside potential with strictly limited downside.
What Are MOVE (Straddle) Contracts?
Delta Exchange offers a unique product calledĀ MOVE contractsĀ ā also known as straddle contracts. These are special options that let you profit from large price movements inĀ either directionĀ ā up or down.
You do not need to predict whether BTC will go up or down. You simply bet that it will move a lot.
MOVE contracts are perfect for:
Before major market events (Bitcoin halving, ETF news, regulatory announcements)
When you expect high volatility but are unsure of the direction
Options Available on Delta Exchange
BTC and ETH optionsĀ ā Call and Put options on Bitcoin and Ethereum
Daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly expiriesĀ ā maximum flexibility
Wide range of strike pricesĀ ā choose the one that matches your view
MOVE (straddle) contractsĀ ā profit from volatility in either direction
Fee cap at 3% of premiumĀ ā OTM option buyers never overpay on fees
INR settlementĀ ā profits credited directly in rupees
No 1% TDSĀ on options trading
Who is Options Trading Best For?
Options trading is ideal for:
Traders who want limited riskĀ ā you can never lose more than your premium
Intermediate to advanced tradersĀ who understand price movements
Traders expecting big movesĀ ā options offer huge leverage with capped loss
Income generatorsĀ ā selling options to collect premium (advanced strategy)
HedgersĀ ā using put options to protect spot holdings from price drops
Options Trading Pros and Cons
Maximum loss is always limited to the premium paid (for buyers)
Enormous profit potential relative to capital risked
No 1% TDS ā tax-efficient under Indian law
Can profit from volatility without predicting direction (MOVE contracts)
Flexible expiries from daily to quarterly
Options expire ā if the market does not move in your direction before expiry, you lose the entire premium
More complex than spot or futures ā requires understanding of premium, strike, expiry, and Greeks
Time decay works against option buyers (the option loses value as expiry approaches)
Not recommended for complete beginners without demo practice first
How to Get Started on Delta Exchange in 5 Simple Steps
Step 1 ā Create Your Account
Visit delta.exchange or download the Delta Exchange India app. Click "Sign Up" and enter your email and mobile number. Verify your email address.
Upload your PAN card and Aadhaar card. KYC verification typically completes within a few hours. This is required by Indian law and ensures your account is compliant.
Go to the Wallet section and click "Deposit". Add your bank account and transfer INR via UPI, NEFT, IMPS, or RTGS. Your balance will reflect within minutes.
Step 4 ā Practice on the Demo Account
Before risking real money, go to the Testnet (demo account) on Delta Exchange. Practice buying and selling spot, placing futures trades with leverage, and buying options with fake money. Spend at least 1ā2 weeks here until you are comfortable.
Step 5 ā Start Small with Real Money
Start with a very small amount ā ā¹500 to ā¹2,000. Do not jump to large positions or high leverage immediately. Learn the platform, understand how profits and losses feel in real time, and gradually increase your position size as your confidence grows.
Tips for Beginner Crypto Traders on Delta Exchange
Start with spot tradingĀ ā It is the simplest. Buy a small amount of BTC or ETH and get comfortable with how the platform works before moving to futures or options.
Use the demo account religiouslyĀ ā Delta Exchange's testnet is free. Use it for as long as you need before going live.
Never use high leverage as a beginnerĀ ā If you must use futures, keep leverage at 2x or 3x maximum. High leverage can wipe out your account in minutes.
Start with options as a buyer, never a sellerĀ ā Buying options limits your loss to the premium. Selling options carries much higher risk and is an advanced strategy.
Set a stop-loss on every futures tradeĀ ā Without a stop-loss, a single bad trade can wipe out your entire margin.
Only invest what you can afford to loseĀ ā Crypto markets are highly volatile. Never trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
Use the learning resourcesĀ ā Delta Exchange has a blog, tutorials, and help center with educational content for all levels. Use them.
Keep records of all your tradesĀ ā For tax filing purposes, maintain records of all your transactions. Delta Exchange provides downloadable trade history reports.
Crypto trading does not have to be complicated. Once you understand the three main instruments ā Spot, Futures, and Options ā the path forward becomes much clearer.
Spot tradingĀ is where you start ā simple, safe, and straightforward. Buy BTC or ETH with INR and learn how the market moves.
Futures tradingĀ is where you graduate to when you are ready ā powerful leverage, ability to profit in both directions, and tax-efficient under Indian law.
Options tradingĀ is where sophisticated traders operate ā maximum flexibility, capped risk as a buyer, and powerful strategies for every market condition.
Delta Exchange gives you all three on a single platform, with INR settlement, zero buyer fees on spot, no TDS on F&O, and a free demo account to practice everything before you risk a single rupee.
Start on the demo account today, master one instrument at a time, and build your crypto trading journey the right way ā step by step.
Disclaimer: Crypto trading involves significant financial risk. Futures and options trading with leverage can result in losses exceeding your initial investment. Always use proper risk management and never invest more than you can afford to lose. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making any trading decisions.
