How to grow your referral network with Deriv cTrader algorithmic trading
Use built-in tracking links to share automated cBots and instantly attribute new active users to your partner account.
In the competitive landscape of brokerage partnerships, offering retail clients a distinct technical edge is paramount to expanding your business footprint. Deriv cTrader algorithmic trading introduces a more efficient way of automated client engagement, allowing partners to scale user acquisition through native infrastructure tools.
By deploying custom-built trading robots into an ecosystem engineered for friction-free distribution, you eliminate the traditional technical hurdles that historically capped affiliate conversion rates.
Quick summary
- Zero-cost automation: Deriv cTrader Cloud Execution lets your referred clients host and run cBots 24/7 on native cloud servers at no cost, removing the need for a third-party virtual private server (VPS).
- Instant referral tracking: Distributing automated trading tools via the integrated Deriv cTrader Invite referral link dynamically binds new users to your affiliate account and unlocks direct volume-based payouts.
- IP Protection: Advanced source code protection ensures that your custom proprietary trading algorithms are compiled locally and distributed as securely encrypted .algo binary files, hiding your raw logic.
- Sustained commission volumes that may increase potential earnings, but commissions are variable and not guaranteed; outcomes depend on referral trading activity and compliance with program terms.
Terms you need to know
Cloud Execution is a set of functionalities that allows every Deriv cTrader user to run cBots on dedicated cloud hardware 24/7, without additional charges. Traders access it from any cTrader app. Partners distribute it through sharing tools built into the platform.
cBot (also called a trading robot or algorithm) is an automated programme that executes trades on a user's behalf according to pre-defined rules. On Deriv cTrader, cBots can be started in the cloud from any device and continue running independently of that device.
cTrader Algo is the application inside Deriv cTrader used for creating, managing, and sharing cBots. It is where traders see all algorithms available to them and start cloud execution.
cTrader Invite is the built-in referral and attribution toolkit within Deriv cTrader. When you share a cBot via an Invite link, any new user who taps on it is attributed to you as a referred trader within the system.
Invite link is a URL containing your unique identifier that attributes anyone who follows it to your partner account. When used to share a cBot, it simultaneously distributes the algorithm and tags the new user as your referral.
VPS (Virtual Private Server) is the third-party server that traders previously had to rent and configure themselves to keep a trading algorithm running around the clock. Cloud Execution replaces this requirement.
What is Deriv cTrader cloud execution?
Deriv cTrader Cloud Execution is a built-in infrastructure feature in Deriv cTrader version 5.0 and later. It enables traders to run automated algorithms (cBots) 24/7 directly on dedicated cloud servers without a Virtual Private Server (VPS). This service eliminates additional subscription fees, localised hardware dependencies, and manual technical configurations for global referral networks.
Previously, introducing an automated strategy to your audience required a complex onboarding workflow. Partners had to manually share uncompiled files, guide clients through local application installations, and instruct them on purchasing, setting up, and maintaining a paid VPS to ensure the robot stayed online when their computer was turned off.
Cloud Execution condenses this friction into a single tap. Clients can discover your custom cBot, add it to their workspace, and launch it directly from the Deriv cTrader mobile app (available on iOS and Android). The algorithm then runs non-stop on cloud nodes, maintaining execution continuity even if the trader disconnects their device or closes the application.
How does local setup compare to free cloud execution?
Understanding the infrastructural upgrade helps partners properly position this feature to prospective clients. While standard algo trading setups require manual maintenance, Cloud Execution offloads execution architecture onto native server configurations.
The following table breaks down how standard desktop execution compares against the cloud framework:
How can partners scale volume using the Deriv cTrader invite referral link?
The core engine for your business growth is the Deriv cTrader Invite referral link. The platform fuses sharing mechanisms with direct affiliate attribution, turning your custom trading tools into referral features designed to encourage sharing.
When you configure a custom cBot's public visibility settings, you can copy an automated, tracked invitation path natively tied to your partner account. When a new user clicks this link, the system executes two actions in parallel:
- It grants the user immediate access to your automated trading tool within their cTrader Algo application interface.
- It permanently attributes that user to your affiliate profile as a referred client.
Furthermore, this deployment model features backward compatibility. Whenever you release or update a cBot via your tracked portal, your existing database of previously invited traders automatically receives access to the new algorithm within their application dashboards. You do not need to resend unique installation links or follow up individually, allowing you to easily scale your engagement across large networks.
Because commissions under the Deriv partner programme are calculated based on overall trading volume and turnover, moving clients from manual execution to 24/7 automated algorithms directly impacts your bottom line. A trader utilising a cloud-hosted cBot maintains market activity across consecutive time zones and open market sessions, creating a reliable stream of continuous trading volume.
Important note: commissions are variable and depend on referred clients' trading activity and adherence to program terms; past earnings do not guarantee future earnings.
Is proprietary IP safe with Deriv cTrader source code protection?
A primary concern for developers and B2B partners distributing trading algorithms is the protection of their intellectual property. If you have engineered a high-performing strategy, sharing its execution capabilities cannot mean exposing the underlying proprietary logic.
Deriv cTrader's protection system addresses this directly:
- Compilation happens locally. Your source code files remain on your device and are never uploaded to the cloud by default. Only the compiled algorithm files (.algo) are synchronised.
- Source code is not visible to end users. When a trader receives access to your cBot — whether via Invite or as an exported file — they see a version that is encrypted specifically for them. The source code is not available to them.
- File-based sharing gives you control over access. When exporting a cBot as a file, you can choose to restrict access to a specific user or make it available to everyone. Files can be encrypted for individual recipients.
This means you can build a cBot-based distribution strategy and grow a referral network without exposing the logic that makes your algorithm work.
Two ways to share cBots with your audience
Deriv cTrader offers two distinct distribution methods, each optimised for different partnership growth goals.
Sharing via Deriv cTrader Invite link
This is the recommended method for partner growth. Here is how it works:
- In the cBot's public settings, enable access for your invited traders.
- Copy the Invite link generated for that algorithm.
- Share it via your preferred channels — Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, social media, or direct message.
When a user taps your link, two actions execute simultaneously: they receive instant access to your automated strategy, and they are permanently attributed as your referred trader. Existing invited traders in your network are also granted access automatically, eliminating the need to notify them individually.
Sharing as a file
Alternatively, you can export a compiled algorithm directly from Deriv cTrader Desktop as a file. Traders can receive this .algo file via any message channel and open it directly within Deriv cTrader Mobile to launch it in the cloud. Because this method bypasses automatic attribution links, it is ideal for sharing tools with an audience that is already registered under your referral network.
How to make your cBots more effective as a growth tool
To maximise conversion rates, leverage the native branding and transparency features built into the platform to establish user trust:
- Incorporate Unique Branding: Assign a distinct, recognisable image to your cBot. Each algorithm receives its own dedicated showcase page within the application, helping your tool stand out when shared publicly.
- Display Backtesting and ROI Data: Enable transparent performance metrics. Prospective traders can view historical simulations and return-on-investment parameters before activation, building credible assurance for users new to systematic setups.
- Utilise Individual Shareable Pages: Leverage the unique web links assigned to each algorithm. This allows you to smoothly direct users from blog posts, YouTube reviews, or marketing channels straight to the execution page.
What Deriv cTrader cloud execution supports across platforms
Cloud Execution is available from Deriv cTrader version 5.0 onwards. The table below shows which actions are supported on each platform:
Important note: Cloud Execution is available for cBots only. Custom indicators and plugins can only be run locally in Deriv cTrader Desktop. Demo accounts are subject to stricter limitations on the number of cloud instances than real accounts.
How cloud execution connects to your commission earnings
Under the standard manual trading model, your affiliate revenue is strictly capped by your referrals' physical screen time and localised internet stability. Deriv cTrader Cloud Execution entirely breaks this correlation.
Because live production accounts are natively allocated up to 5 simultaneous cloud execution instances, a single high-net-worth referral can deploy multiple algorithmic cBots across varying asset classes—running uninterrupted through consecutive global market sessions.
For partners operating under Deriv's turnover-based and CFD commission programs, this structural shift changes your retention mathematics:
- Volume continuity: A manual trader averages 2–5 hours of active market exposure per week. An automated cloud instance provides 168 hours of continuous execution capacity weekly.
- Compounded throughput: 5 live instances running proprietary micro-scalping or grid strategies can expand a single client's weekly lot turnover by up to 800% without increasing their capital risk per trade.
- Automated retention ecosystem: By distributing system updates via your native cTrader Invite link, you instantly reactivate historical dormancies across your entire database, systematically driving up your lifetime partner tiering volume.
How to get started with Deriv cTrader cloud execution
If you are ready to integrate automated distribution into your partner strategy, follow this tactical roadmap:
- Verify client software versions: Ensure your audience is fully migrated to Deriv cTrader version 5.0 or later to unlock cloud hosting features.
- Curate or build your strategy: Source open-source tools from the public cTrader Store to evaluate, or work alongside a developer to construct a custom proprietary solution.
- Configure protection attributes: Finalise your compilation parameters locally within Deriv cTrader Desktop to ensure your source code is fully encrypted before distribution.
- Deploy via invite settings: Turn on access for invited users within the cBot options and extract your unique tracking path.
- Publish and monitor: Distribute the link across your communities. New tracking conversions will log automatically to your master dashboard while you track usage analytics directly on the algorithm's dedicated performance view.
FAQs
Does Cloud Execution cost anything for traders?
No. Running automated cBots on native cloud servers is entirely free for all Deriv cTrader users. Clients do not need to subscribe to external Virtual Private Server hosting mechanics or pay configuration fees to keep their strategies active 24/7.
Does sharing a cBot via Invite reveal my source code?
No. The Deriv cTrader platform utilises rigid source code protection protocols. When a partner distributes a strategy via an invitation link, only the securely compiled, encrypted binary file is shared. Your raw code files remain hidden on your local hardware.
What happens to the cBot if a trader turns off their device?
The cBot will continue to run uninterrupted on cloud infrastructure. Because execution is decoupled from local machines, the algorithm processes market entry and exit points independently of the user’s internet connectivity, power status, or location.
Are my existing referrals automatically added when I share a new cBot?
Yes. Your existing network of invited traders automatically receives access to any new automated tools you publish to your shared ecosystem. There is no need to manually distribute new download files or configuration links to your historical user base.
Can I use Cloud Execution for indicators and plugins?
No. Cloud hosting capabilities are exclusively reserved for automated cBot strategies. Custom indicators and user interface plugins must be executed locally within the Deriv cTrader Desktop application environment.
Can demo accounts use Cloud Execution?
Yes, but only to test your strategies with a single demo account.
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