How they work
Boom and Crash are spike indices. A Boom index drifts slowly lower, then jumps sharply higher at random moments. A Crash index is the mirror image: it drifts slowly higher, then drops sharply.
The number in the name is the average number of ticks between spikes. Boom 400 spikes roughly every 400 ticks, so far more often than Boom 1200. The timing of each individual spike is random; only the average is fixed.
At two ticks per second, a 1000-tick index spikes on average a little over every eight minutes, and a 400-tick index roughly every three and a half minutes.
Why traders want them
- A clear pattern. Traders understand the shape immediately: slow drift, then a spike. Strategies are built around catching spikes or riding the drift between them.
- Always open. Spikes happen at weekends and on holidays, so there is always something to trade.
- A strong community. Boom and Crash have their own educators, signal groups, indicators and expert advisors, which makes them easy for IBs to promote.
For a broker, that existing demand is the opportunity. Traders already search for platforms that offer these indices, and many brokers still do not.
Offering them on MT5
Aleatra's Boom and Crash feeds come in five levels each:
| Index | Direction of spikes | Average ticks between spikes | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
Boom 400 to 1200 | Up | 400, 600, 800, 1,000, 1,200 | 24/7 |
Crash 400 to 1200 | Down | 400, 600, 800, 1,000, 1,200 | 24/7 |
Each index arrives as a normal bid and ask feed. You create the symbols in MT5, name them to suit your brand, and set spreads, contract size and margin per group. The MT5 setup guide walks through each step.
Managing the risk
Spike indices have an asymmetric payoff, so they need their own risk settings.
- Spikes create gaps. A spike can move straight through stop losses. Decide in advance how stops are filled during a spike and state it in your client terms.
- Exposure builds on one side. On a Boom index, many clients buy to catch the spike while others sell to ride the drift. Watch net exposure per symbol rather than total volume.
- Spread matters more. The drift between spikes is small, so the spread has a large effect on outcomes. Price it from the published model, not by copying a real-market symbol.
Our risk management guide covers this in more detail.
Next steps
Every Aleatra plan includes all 24 indices, including all ten Boom and Crash levels, from US$1,000 a month. See pricing or request a demo.
See the feed in action.
Book a demo and we'll walk you through the indices, the MT5 and FIX setup, and how it fits your platform.