Indices are essentially statistical measures that track the performance of a group of assets. Learn more here.

From the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA, or simply the Dow) to the Hang Seng Index (HSI), the world’s major stock market indices are vital benchmarks that reflect the performance of leading companies across regions. For beginning and veteran traders alike, such indices act as overarching market bellwethers that provide deeper insights into market trends and serve as tools for trading strategies, risk management and portfolio diversification.

Given their mass popularity, indices are widely traded in the forms of futures, options and 

 (ETFs), enabling traders to effortlessly hedge against volatility or speculate on market movements through their preferred instrument. In this article, we’ll explore the world’s biggest market benchmarks, their composition, significance in trading and their role in shaping global financial markets.

Indices are essentially statistical measures that track the performance of a group of assets. For example, by referring to the three major US indices, we can immediately tell how a particular segment of the market is performing, thanks to the snapshot provided by these indices. 

At their core, these indices provide a way to gauge market trends, manage risk and diversify portfolios by offering a broad view of different sectors or asset classes. They’re widely used in financial markets for investment strategies, and as benchmarks for evaluating performance.

While more popular indices typically track the prices of stocks, traders may also consider trading indices that take into account the performance of other asset types, such as commodities and fixed-income instruments (e.g., bonds).

How indices work — mechanics, composition and weightage

Beyond simple tracking, indices also serve as the basis for numerous financial products that enable traders to participate in broad market movements without needing to purchase individual assets. This unmatched level of accessibility makes indices crucial for both institutional and retail traders. To go one step further, the construction of an index — including the specific assets being included, and their weighting — can significantly impact the index’s behavior, and the extent to which it effectively represents its target market.

Overall, understanding these construction methodologies is vital for traders who want to accurately interpret index movements and make informed decisions. We’ll go into more detail on the inner workings of index trading in the subsequent sections of this article.

Index trading involves speculating on the price movements of a group of assets without directly owning them. This is typically achieved through financial instruments, such as contracts for difference (CFDs), futures or options. The following section provides a detailed explanation of the mechanics involved.

As previously mentioned, indices are composed of various assets, such as stocks, commodities or bonds, and their performance is tracked using different weighting methods. The most common methods include the following.

Now that you’re familiar with the technicalities involved with index composition, let’s dive deeper into the instruments involved with the trading of indices.

New to trading indices? No worries. Here’s a quick four-step process to help you get started.

In summary, index trading provides a way to participate in broad market movements through various financial instruments. It offers diversification and flexibility but requires careful 

, given the volatility associated with index trading.

Trading indices offers several compelling advantages that make them an attractive option for both novice and experienced traders. The following reasons are worth considering.

Indices can be categorized based on their coverage, weighting method and focus. 

Following are some of the main types of indices.

Index prices are influenced by a variety of factors that can be broadly categorized into economic indicators, company performance, market sentiment and external events. These factors interact dynamically, influencing the overall performance of indices and shaping market trends.

For traders looking to get started with index trading, 

 with deep liquidity and competitive spreads. For a limited time (from Mar 13 through Apr 12, 2025), we’re running a 

 in which traders can enjoy zero fees on selected index pairs, making it even more cost-effective to explore index trading.

Ultimately, trading indices can seem daunting, given their depth of assets and the mechanics involved. For example, the S&P 500 comprises hundreds of stocks, each with different amounts of weightage. If mega-cap stocks like Tesla were to face some form of volatility, there would definitely be an impact on the index. As such, beginning traders who are new to index trading must 

 prior to transacting with indices, given the risks involved with the use of leveraged instruments.

For those with a longer time horizon in mind, trading indices can certainly be useful, especially if you’re intending to 

 your entries over time when building up your position. Given the extent of diversification involved and the sheer amount of liquidity present, it certainly would make sense for any trader with a long-term bullish inclination to trade indices and hold their ETFs for the long haul.

With a reliable platform like Bybit Gold&FX, you’ll practically be spoiled for choice when it comes to navigating the diverse world of indices and other financial instruments. By empowering traders with access to real-time data, advanced charting tools and a user-friendly interface, Bybit Gold&FX helps traders make informed decisions when analyzing market trends and execute trades with precision.

Whether you're interested in tracking the performance of major stock market indices, exploring commodity indices or diversifying your portfolio with forex and gold, Bybit Gold&FX offers the necessary resources and support. The platform's focus on security and transparency provides traders with peace of mind, allowing them to concentrate on their investment strategies and capitalize on market opportunities. In essence, it transforms the complexities of index trading into an accessible and sleek experience.

Intermediate

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Indices: Trading the world’s biggest market benchmarks

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how you can complete a series of tasks in Prosper for Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade.

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how you can complete a series of tasks in Prosper for 

Task: Stake at least 20 PROS on the Prosper DApp on BSC

 and connect your Bybit Wallet by clicking on the 

button at the top-right corner of the page and selecting 

: Type in the amount of PROS tokens you would like to stake. You’ll need to stake at least 20 PROS tokens to complete this task.

If you notice the available amount shown for the connected wallet is incorrect or unexpected, simply click on the “refresh” icon to update your token balance. Also, please ensure that you’re connected to the BNB Smart Chain (BSC) network.

 to approve both the application permissions and the stake amount via your Bybit Wallet. 

Once both interactions have been completed, you’ll have successfully staked PROS!

: You’ll be prompted to add rePROS (receipt for staked PROS) to your Bybit Wallet (for display purposes) after you finish staking. These tokens effectively serve as a receipt for your staked PROS.

Beginner

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How to complete Prosper tasks for Bybit Web3 Airdrop Arcade

Bybit celebrated the second anniversary of the Bybit Card at its Dubai headquarters, highlighting its rapid growth with over 1.5 million cards issued since launch.

The S&P 500 dropped 1.39%, entering correction territory amid Trump’s tariff threats and trade war concerns. Gold surged to a record $2,988, driven by trade uncertainty, recession fears, and Fed rate cut expectations. The Coindesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, fell by 0.90%, with Bitcoin and Ether down by 3.36% and 2.63% in the past 24 hours. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today’s top performer is S, up 7.9% after 0xGasless launched AgentKit on Sonic, enabling AI-powered, gasless on-chain automation.

Sonic Labs (S), established in 2018, is an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain built from Fantom, delivering over 10,000 transactions per second. Its native token, S, replaces FTM at a 1:1 ratio. The network prioritizes high performance, interoperability, and developer incentives. 

, enabling AI agents to execute on-chain actions with NLP-powered automation and gasless transactions via smart wallets. Developers can use Sonic AgentKit to build DeFi copilots or automate blockchain tasks and contribute custom tools through its open-source GitHub.

Check out the latest prices, charts, and data of 

Bybit celebrated the second anniversary of the 

 at its Dubai headquarters, highlighting its rapid growth with over 1.5 million cards issued since launch. The exchange announced a limited-edition Premium Metal Card coming in 2025, alongside enhanced user experience features such as an improved rewards program, stronger fraud protection, and wearables connectivity. Backed by Mastercard’s global network, the Bybit Card supports multiple cryptocurrencies and offers seamless payments at any Mastercard-accepting merchant. Bybit reaffirmed its commitment to expanding crypto financial solutions and bridging digital assets with everyday transactions.

Yesterday, BTC Spot ETFs saw $180.9M in net outflows, with GBTC losing $12.7M and non-GBTC funds dropping $168.2M.

 $EDGE tokens to active traders on Solana and EVM chains. Users who traded on Jupiter, Odos, Hyperliquid, and more can check eligibility and claim by depositing funds and trading $1K spot volume via TWAP. Airdrop claims open in 19 days, with a raffle for 500 users to win 100K $EDGE tokens.

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Bybit marks Bybit Card’s second anniversary with new features and expansion plans

Dogecoin Spot ETFs would offer a regulated vehicle for investors to capture Dogecoin's price movements without directly managing the cryptocurrency themselves.

 is defying expectations, transitioning from a crypto punchline to Wall Street legitimacy. In a landmark shift, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has formally acknowledged Spot ETF applications for DOGE from heavyweight asset managers, including Grayscale and Bitwise, potentially catapulting the Shiba Inu–themed token into regulated markets. 

 (ETFs) would cement Dogecoin’s status as a serious investment vehicle, challenging perceptions of meme coins as fleeting novelties. 

This article delves into the mechanics of a Dogecoin Spot ETF, the current state of applications, their impact on the crypto market and the broader implications of such financial instruments.

A Dogecoin Spot ETF is a proposed exchange-traded fund that would directly hold Dogecoin as its underlying asset, allowing investors to gain regulated exposure to DOGE’s price movements without owning the cryptocurrency outright.

A Dogecoin Spot ETF would mirror the price movements of Dogecoin by holding the cryptocurrency directly, thereby enabling investors to capture its market performance without the complexities of purchasing, storing or managing the digital asset themselves.

Asset managers — in this case, Bitwise and Grayscale — would securely store actual Dogecoin tokens in 

 that often use cold storage solutions to reduce hacking risks. This responsibility is entrusted to custodians such as Coinbase Custody, which would safeguard Bitwise's Dogecoin holdings. These custodians specialize in cryptocurrency storage and employ robust security measures, such as multi-signature wallets and offline storage, to ensure the fund's value remains closely aligned with Dogecoin's current market price, while protecting the assets from potential threats.

Authorized Participants — usually large financial institutions — play a key role in maintaining this alignment by facilitating the creation and redemption of ETF shares. When demand surges, these institutions purchase Dogecoin from the open market and deposit it into the fund in exchange for newly issued shares. Conversely, they redeem shares by returning them to the fund for an equivalent amount of Dogecoin. This dynamic mechanism helps ensure that the ETF’s share price consistently reflects the underlying asset’s value.

Once issued, Dogecoin Spot ETF Shares would be traded on traditional stock exchanges, providing investors with an established and secure platform to gain exposure to Dogecoin. The ETF’s net asset value (NAV) would be determined by a comprehensive pricing mechanism that continuously reflects the current market price of Dogecoin. This process relies on the 

, which aggregates data from multiple reputable cryptocurrency exchanges. 

Using this standardized reference, the ETF ensures that fluctuations in Dogecoin's price — driven by market supply, demand and investor sentiment — are accurately captured. Consequently, the NAV is updated in real time, so it would provide investors with a transparent and precise representation of the fund’s true market value.

With this structured approach, a prospective Dogecoin Spot ETF promises a streamlined, regulated avenue for investors to participate in the dynamic cryptocurrency market, seamlessly integrating digital asset exposure with traditional financial systems.

In January 2025, REX Shares (in collaboration with Osprey Funds) filed with the SEC, seeking approval for a Dogecoin Spot ETF. The following month, Grayscale Investments advanced its crypto offerings by submitting SEC Form 19b-4 to launch its own Dogecoin Spot ETF, signaling an intent to diversify beyond traditional assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Shortly thereafter, Bitwise Asset Management, Inc. filed both S-1 and 19b-4 registration forms for a similar ETF, with its proposed fund set to hold Dogecoin as the primary asset and determine its net asset value using the CF Dogecoin-Dollar Settlement Price benchmark.

The SEC has officially acknowledged these filings, initiating a comprehensive review process. The Commission is known for its cautious approach in approving cryptocurrency-based ETFs, due to concerns over market volatility, liquidity and investor protection. However, this acknowledgment suggests a willingness to assess the potential of integrating Dogecoin into regulated financial products. The approval process is expected to be methodical, potentially taking up to 240 days from the initial acknowledgment. Bloomberg analysts 

Despite these promising regulatory developments, market reaction has been mixed. While the filing of Dogecoin Spot ETF applications has generated significant interest among investors, Dogecoin’s price experienced a decline after an initial increase following the announcements, indicating that investor sentiment could be influenced by broader market dynamics beyond ETF-related news.

Current impact of Dogecoin Spot ETF applications on the crypto market

Following the ETF application announcements, Dogecoin's price experienced significant fluctuations. Initially, there was a surge in optimism, with 

 within 24 hours (as of Feb 14, 2025) as investors anticipated potential institutional adoption. However, this uptick was short-lived, and within a week, Dogecoin's price declined by over 7%. This retracement underscores the inherent volatility of the cryptocurrency market — and suggests that while ETF filings can boost confidence, they also introduce speculative dynamics that may lead to rapid price corrections.

This mix of enthusiasm and caution among investors reflects the duality of a market in transition, balancing prospects of institutional legitimacy and the realities of speculative volatility. On the one hand, potential approval of a Dogecoin Spot ETF is viewed as a gateway for mainstream and institutional investors to engage with DOGE, potentially leading to increased liquidity and market stability. On the other, the subsequent price decline following the ETF announcements indicates that the market remains sensitive to speculative trading and profit-taking behaviors. Investors are advised to approach such developments with a balanced perspective, considering both the opportunities and risks inherent in cryptocurrency markets.

What will it mean if a Dogecoin Spot ETF application is approved?

Should the SEC approve a Dogecoin Spot ETF, it would mark a significant milestone in legitimizing meme-based cryptocurrencies within a traditional financial structure. Such an ETF would allow investors to gain direct exposure to Dogecoin's price movements through traditional investment platforms, which in turn could lead to increased institutional participation as it provides a regulated and familiar investment vehicle for entities that may previously have been hesitant to invest directly in crypto.

The introduction of a Dogecoin ETF is anticipated to enhance the cryptocurrency's liquidity and market stability. By facilitating easier access for a broader investor base, the ETF could lead to higher trading volumes and reduced price volatility over time. The legitimacy conferred by regulatory approval could potentially bolster investor confidence and attract more capital inflows into Dogecoin.

Dogecoin Spot ETF approval could also set a precedent for other meme-based cryptocurrencies, such as 

 (SHIB), to pursue similar financial instruments. The Shiba Inu community has been actively advocating for a SHIB-based ETF, highlighting factors like strong diversification prospects and growing investor demand. Notably, after the Spot Ethereum ETF approvals in July 2024, Shiba Inu's pseudonymous lead developer, Shytoshi Kusama, hinted that SHIB could be next in line. 

As with a Dogecoin Spot ETF, the introduction of a Shiba Inu Spot ETF would provide investors with regulated exposure to SHIB, potentially increasing its adoption and market presence. However, the approval process for such ETFs is complex and subject to stringent regulatory scrutiny. While the SEC has approved ETFs for major cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ethereum, the path for altcoins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu remains uncertain. Factors such as liquidity, market maturity and regulatory perspectives will play crucial roles in any approval process.

Looking to capture the market and trade DOGE tokens? Bybit offers the 

The approval of a Dogecoin Spot ETF would mark a watershed moment for meme cryptocurrencies, offering regulated access to Dogecoin’s price movements and potentially stabilizing its volatile market through institutional investments. While initial price surges and subsequent corrections highlight speculative risks, long-term benefits would likely include enhanced liquidity, legitimacy and broader investor adoption. This precedent could pave the way for altcoins like Shiba Inu to pursue similar ETFs, though regulatory hurdles and market maturity remain critical barriers. 

Ultimately, a Dogecoin Spot ETF would bridge meme-driven crypto culture with traditional finance, providing the much-beloved dog-themed Dogecoin with a previously unattainable level of credibility.

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Dogecoin Spot ETF: A giant leap for Dogecoin's legitimacy

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Bitcoin

The U.S. debt ceiling, or debt limit, is a legislative cap on the total national debt that the U.S. Treasury can incur. Learn how it affects Bitcoin prices.

There’s been commotion recently in the United States Senate with regard to U.S. government debt. From Republicans walking out mid-talk to fears of treasury funds running out, the contentious issue has created unrest among investors and traders worldwide. As the June deadline approaches, the question remains whether the U.S. government will default on its multi-trillion-dollar debt. Although there have been sound arguments when it comes to the discourse between Democrats and Republicans, we’ve yet to see meaningful progress as the debt ceiling argument remains at a deadlock.

From possible default scenarios to the debt ceiling deal’s potential impact on the crypto market and Bitcoin, this article will cover all you need to know about the link between the U.S. debt ceiling and cryptocurrencies, as fears of a debt default intensify.

Originally introduced in 1917 as a means of providing Congress with the ability to control the government’s overall borrowing, the U.S. debt ceiling, or debt limit, is a legislative cap on the total national debt that the U.S. Treasury can incur. The debt ceiling essentially constrains the maximum amount that the federal government can finance so they can’t supplement the existing debt with additional borrowing beyond the limit.

What’s interesting about the U.S. debt ceiling is that its original purpose was to ensure that the executive branch didn’t have unlimited power to accumulate debt. Over the years, the debt ceiling has undergone changes and amendments to reflect the evolving financial landscape of the nation.

, the U.S. government has unfortunately blown past the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling that was previously set. In addition to its yearly budget deficit, America has had to 

 to pay for pandemic relief and stimulus packages. As such, hitting the debt ceiling is an increasingly pressing issue that lawmakers must contend with as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen continues to ring alarm bells about the treasury running out of resources by early June.

Additionally, there have been talks about 

 in light of the various geopolitical and macroeconomic headwinds, ranging from the global pandemic to U.S.-China tensions. Critics argue that the U.S. government needs to abolish the debt ceiling so the American economy can get back on its feet and regain its competitive edge in the world.

As of May 30, 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden and Republican house speaker Kevin McCarthy seem to have come to a 

 that suspends the U.S. debt ceiling of $31.4 trillion until January 2025, in the hopes of giving the government enough time to pay its bills. To keep new debt at a minimum, non-defense discretionary spending is promised to be flat for 2024.

What Happens if the U.S. Defaults on Its Debts?

An American debt default could result in a wide variety of issues for both the U.S. and the world.

First, a government shutdown might occur. This is a situation in which non-essential government services are effectively halted, affecting various sectors and citizens relying on government support. Americans had a preview of this during 

, when members of the government disagreed over the 

 Act. Overall, the government shutdown lasted 16 days, significantly disrupting the lives of federal employees as more than 1.3 million people continued to work without knowing when their next paycheck would arrive, while 800,000 employees were put on furlough and temporarily suspended.

Another severe consequence of a U.S. debt default could be a U.S. credit rating downgrade. Rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's and Moody's could take the debt default as a negative sign of America’s trustworthiness, and lower the country's credit rating. If that happens, it could be more expensive for the U.S. to secure a loan from 

One such scenario occurred in 2011, when S&P issued a negative outlook on the United States' AAA sovereign-debt credit rating for the first time since the rating agency's establishment in 1860. Downgrading the sovereign debt ratings from AAA to AA+ threatened the risk-free reputation of U.S. treasury securities. 

In order to prevent this scenario from recurring, the government needs to reach a consensus and increase the debt ceiling to avoid any potential repercussions of a credit rating downgrade, and the risk of tainting the reputation of U.S. Treasury securities.

In the case of a U.S. debt default, the value of the dollar will likely fall in global financial markets. While the U.S. dollar is usually seen as the world’s reserve currency, the inability of the government to resolve its debt repayment could undermine faith in the dollar as confidence in U.S. Treasury securities dips. In turn, this could lead to higher inflation rates, affecting other global economies due to their reliance on American imports and exports. 

Additionally, U.S. citizens could see decreased access to money from retirement funds or other investments because of the government's inability to properly manage its debt payments.

How Does the U.S. Debt Ceiling Affect the Crypto Market?

The section below speculates as to what could happen if the U.S. debt ceiling is raised in time, as well as the alternate scenario if the U.S. defaults on its federal debt.

Although the U.S. debt ceiling is raised and the potential of default is postponed until 2025, the issue of America’s trillion-dollar debt remains, with no near-term solution in sight. While the raising of the U.S. debt ceiling might cause money to flow from alternative assets toward stocks and bonds, this may not be the case in the long run. 

As headwinds (such as the banking crisis contagion and an upcoming credit crunch) continue to plague the economy, the long-term bull case for cryptocurrencies will continue to grow stronger. Will Bitcoin and other altcoins be that “flight to safety” for investors seeking shelter from the world’s macroeconomic troubles? Only time will tell, as the world continues to fight the fires of runaway inflation.

The U.S. debt default might create a ripple effect that could very well end up impacting the 

 and other digital currencies as the confidence in the U.S. dollar is shaken. Investors may possibly dump their U.S. dollars, and turn away from traditional investments. They could then seek alternative assets to hedge against the fiat economy. This includes digital currencies, because they’re viewed as decentralized assets, shielded from the volatility facing 

On a macro note, a default on U.S. debt could also cause inflation to skyrocket, as Treasury securities become less attractive because they’re no longer considered as risk-free as they once were. This would further benefit Bitcoin, because its fixed supply means it can’t be devalued by 

How to Trade Bitcoin During the U.S. Debt Ceiling Crisis

With the fate of the U.S. debt ceiling still hanging in the balance, investors and traders uncertain of the potential impact it could have on the market should exercise caution and manage their risk. For those looking to invest in Bitcoin and other altcoins during this period, it’s important to keep in mind the following basic strategies when building a position in cryptocurrencies.

 exclaiming that a “maxi” portfolio consisting of only one coin is ideal, this can be extremely risky during times of economic uncertainty. Diversification is key when trading any asset, and the same applies to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. By investing in a range of cryptocurrencies, you can help spread your risk across multiple markets and reduce the potential impact, should one or more of them experience a significant downturn.

 (DCA) is an investment strategy that involves spreading your trades over a period of time to reduce the inherent risk of any single trade. With DCA, you’re buying a cryptocurrency at regular intervals, regardless of price fluctuations. This approach allows you to buy more of the same cryptocurrency when prices are low and less when prices rise, thus helping to reduce overall volatility in the market. 

By doing this over time, you can build up a position in crypto without taking on too much risk associated with investing in one go. This approach takes away some of the financial speculation involved with crypto investing, and helps to maximize your returns by making sure that you’re not entering at peaks, or leaving at troughs.

In theory, the U.S. debt ceiling issue should be resolved in due time, now that a deal between both parties has been arranged. While there might be near-term volatility because of possible delays and macroeconomic headwinds, once the deal is finalized, we could see the return of rampant speculation in cryptocurrencies, as bullish traders flood the market with funds that they’ve been sitting on since the start of the U.S. debt crisis.

On the flip side, a similar bearish argument could be made for users to transfer their funds to safer assets like commodities, stocks and bonds. This outflow could cause a short-term correction for cryptocurrencies.

In conclusion, the U.S. debt ceiling crisis could have an effect on cryptocurrency prices. It’s important for investors to be prepared, with a plan in order to protect their investments and stay ahead of any sudden changes in the market. This includes fundamental strategies like diversification and DCA investing, which will help investors and traders strategically manage positions and minimize losses due to volatility. With the right preparation and knowledge about how these techniques work, you can benefit from trading digital assets during this period of economic uncertainty.

Disclaimer: The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only, and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by Bybit or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. 

How Does the U.S. Debt Ceiling Affect Bitcoin Prices?

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