The forex trading also known as foreign exchange (forex or FX) market is a global marketplace for exchanging national currencies.
Because of the worldwide reach of trade, commerce, and finance, forex markets tend to be the world's largest and most liquid asset markets.
Currencies trade against each other as exchange rate pairs. For example, EUR/USD is a currency pair for trading the euro against the U.S. dollar.
Forex markets exist as spot (cash) and derivatives markets, offering forwards, futures, options, and currency swaps.
Some market participants use forex to hedge against international currency and interest rate risk, speculate on geopolitical events, and diversify portfolios, among other reasons.
Banks, brokers, and dealers in the forex markets allow a high amount of leverage, meaning traders can control large positions with relatively little money.
Leverage in the range of 50:1 is common in forex, though even greater amounts of leverage are available from certain brokers. Nevertheless, leverage must be used cautiously because many inexperienced traders have suffered significant losses using more leverage than was necessary or prudent.
Because of the worldwide reach of trade, commerce, and finance, forex markets tend to be the world's largest and most liquid asset markets.
Currencies trade against each other as exchange rate pairs. For example, EUR/USD is a currency pair for trading the euro against the U.S. dollar.
Forex markets exist as spot (cash) and derivatives markets, offering forwards, futures, options, and currency swaps.
Some market participants use forex to hedge against international currency and interest rate risk, speculate on geopolitical events, and diversify portfolios, among other reasons.
Banks, brokers, and dealers in the forex markets allow a high amount of leverage, meaning traders can control large positions with relatively little money.
Leverage in the range of 50:1 is common in forex, though even greater amounts of leverage are available from certain brokers. Nevertheless, leverage must be used cautiously because many inexperienced traders have suffered significant losses using more leverage than was necessary or prudent.