What is Currency Trading?

Currencies are always traded in pairs, with the first currency in the pair called the base currency and the second called the quote currency. Forex traders simultaneously buy one currency in the pair and sell the other, depending on how they think the currencies’ values will change in relation to each other. For a more detailed explanation, head on over to our Forex Trading for Beginners guide.

Currency values can be affected by a vast number of fundamental factors that impact the health of a nation’s economy, including inflation, interest rates, government debt levels and political stability. Typically, forex investors find the greatest volatility before and after key economic or political announcements as traders speculate on their potential impact.

Currency pairs are split into three categories. Major currency pairs are the most traded pairs in the forex industry and therefore enjoy the most liquidity. They usually include the US dollar as one half of the pair, like the EUR/USD and the USD/JPY. Other commonly traded major pairs include EUR/JPY and the EUR/GBP.

The minor currency pairs are the less popular combinations that still contain major currencies. They are also sometimes called 'Crosses'. Examples include the EUR/NZD and the AUD/CHF.

Exotic currency pairs are not as widely traded as the majors or the minors. They composed of a major currency pair coupled with the currency of a developing economy. Some examples that FXTM offers include the USD/TRY and the EUR/PLN.