In my experience, Deriv has changed completely, and not in a good way. The company that once felt inspiring under the previous CEO (the founder) has disappeared. Back then, people were motivated, proud, and genuinely connected to the company’s mission. Today, that sense of direction and purpose is gone.
After the new CEO took over, the company started feeling more like a “mother-and-son” setup at the top, with personal dynamics influencing major decisions. Instead of professional leadership, we now face confusion, politics, and a culture that feels unstable and uncertain.
HR changes made the situation even more disappointing. Many important roles were filled through personal networks, not capability.
What makes the situation even more confusing is that the company has two co-CFOs while regular employees were pushed out through PIP, forced resignations, or sudden “performance issues.” One of the CFOs constantly claims to be “all about people,” but in reality shows very little technical depth — especially surprising when many managers under her are far more qualified, including those with ACCA and stronger financial experience. The level of favoritism around this role made the entire process feel unfair and demoralizing.
Overall, watching capable employees labelled as “redundant” while leadership remained untouched was extremely disappointing and left many of us questioning the company’s priorities.
The “Great Place to Work” title does not reflect the reality employees experience. People were constantly encouraged to vote, making the recognition feel forced rather than earned. Meanwhile, the CHRO brought in many people from her previous company and placed them in key positions, leaving long-time employees feeling ignored and unvalued.
Senior leaders’ departures were labeled “voluntary,” but many employees believed that wasn’t the full story. Communication around these exits was unclear and increased the overall sense of instability.
Day-to-day employee treatment has declined sharply. Management frequently uses buzzwords like “AI” and “automation” without any real understanding, pushing people into ambitious projects without training or support. Expectations are unrealistic, and leadership feels completely disconnected from the actual workload.
Even basic things like taking sick leave have become stressful. Employees are questioned about their illness and sometimes even penalized in their performance reviews. It’s discouraging and dehumanizing.
The performance evaluation system feels inconsistent and influenced by people who don’t work directly with us. Decisions were justified as “AI-driven,” but the ratings rarely matched our actual work or feedback. Many employees felt the results were based on preference, not performance.
Although leadership claims there is “no politics,” the reality is the exact opposite. The workplace feels full of tension, fear, and pretended positivity. People walk on eggshells, unsure of what might happen next.
One moment that truly showed how disconnected leadership has become was during a town hall. When someone asked about potential redundancy, an HR representative responded with, “When it happens, it happens.” Hearing something so cold and careless during a stressful period was incredibly disappointing.
Overall, Deriv is no longer the supportive or inspiring workplace it once was. The company focuses more on image than people, and the environment has become toxic and discouraging. If you value respect, stability, or your wellbeing, I would strongly advise looking elsewhere.
