Forex Facts: Unveiling the Truth About Forex Trading

In the not-too-distant past, Forex trading used to be a relatively simple affair in an industry dominated by established institutions with limited accessibility.

Your average person who wanted to ‘dabble’ in Forex would have to visit the broker’s desk of a bank, while most trades were based on information gathered in the newspapers and other news sources.

The digital revolution has obviously changed all of that – and thank goodness it has. It has never been easier to enter the Forex market, and with a wide range of established online brokers available to anyone with an internet connection, together with a vast amount of online educational resources, the Forex market has grown tenfold in just a couple of decades.

Sea of Information

While the internet has democratized Forex trading – enabling millions of regular people to trade in this exciting global market – it has also introduced a whole new challenge of its own: staying informed and up to date amidst the landscape of Forex-related content.

That said, Forex trading remains a simple endeavor at its heart. The basic premise of buying and selling currencies with a view to grabbing a little profit hasn’t changed since the early days of trading. What has changed, however, is the sheer amount of information available. The internet is now top-heavy with content related to trading Forex.

For anyone who is interested in cutting through the noise, digesting the bullet points, and grabbing a few key facts and takeaways, we have put together this article highlighting a few random facts, figures, stats, and general nuggets of information. There is no rhyme or reason to it – the facts are mostly quite random – but you should find them all quite interesting and pertinent to your journey as a Forex trader.

Let’s get to it, starting with generalized Forex facts, before moving on to a few more specific and intriguing details that will hopefully pique your interest. Please bear in mind that all figures are correct at the time of writing.

General Facts About Forex

1. The global Forex market trades over $6.5 trillion per day, making it the largest financial market in the world by quite some distance. The closest financial market – which happens to be stocks – trades at around 200 billion per day.
2. The Forex market operates in a unique manner in comparison to many other forms of investing and trading, as it is completely decentralized and not tethered to any central exchange. Instead, trades take place directly between parties through a vast electronic network of brokers that interconnects banks, financial entities, and solo traders worldwide.
3. Forex trading functions through the basic exchange of currency pairs. In the most simple terms, a trader buys one currency and sells another simultaneously. These pairs could be EUR/USD or GBP/JPY, with the first currency referred to as the base currency and the second as the quote currency.
4. Leverage is a key aspect of Forex trading that enables traders to manage bigger positions using a smaller capital base. But with this comes a double-edged sword: while it can magnify profits, it can also increase losses, making risk management an essential part of your strategy and mindset.
5. Market sentiments in Forex trading are heavily influenced by general economic indicators and news releases. Traders rely on metrics such as interest rates, GDP growth rates, employment data, and central bank updates to make calculated trading decisions with their trades.
6. In the world of Forex, pips play an essential and very common role. Pips represent the smallest measurable unit for price fluctuations, which is equivalent to the fourth decimal place in most currency pairs. Pips form the base for determining the profit or loss from a trade.
7. Forex trading accommodates both short-term and long-term investment strategies. Traders can opt for day trading, scalping, swing trading, or position trading, each offering different timeframes and trading styles to suit their own individual preferences.
8. As already noted, managing risk is a fundamentally essential aspect of Forex trading. To limit possible losses and secure profits, traders frequently utilize tools like stop-loss and take-profit orders. It is beyond vital to perform thorough risk assessments and practice sound money management to protect your capital and give yourself a chance at success.
9. Factors such as economic, political, and geopolitical events all serve to cast a significant influence on the behavior of the Forex market. Traders need to stay abreast of international developments that could impact currency prices and adjust their trading strategies in response.
10. The rise of online trading platforms has made Forex trading far more accessible for retail traders. Many brokers provide relatively easy-to-grasp platforms, learning resources, and demo accounts, enabling novice traders to practice without risking any real capital.
11. Despite its potential profitability, Forex trading isn’t devoid of risks, and you should beware of anyone who informs you differently (more on that further down this article). New traders should educate themselves, develop a sound trading plan, and continuously develop their skills through practice (using a demo account) and hands-on experience (trading with real funds).
12. There are currently 180 currencies traded on the Forex market. The most commonly traded currencies are as follows:
    • S. Dollar (USD)
    • European Euro (EUR)
    • Japanese Yen (JPY).
    • British Pound (GBP)
    • Swiss Franc (CHF)
    • Canadian Dollar (CAD)
    • Australian/New Zealand Dollar (AUD/NZD)
    • South African Rand (ZAR)
13. As you might expect, the USD is the most traded currency in the Forex market, accounting for a staggering 88% of all trades. This level of dominance reflects its status as the world’s primary reserve currency, underscoring its continued role in global commerce and finance. Other currencies play their part, of course – there would be no Forex market without them – but the USD has always reigned supreme in the world of Forex.
14. Unlike many other financial markets, the Forex market never closes its doors, with trading open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
15. Just under 10 million people worldwide trade Forex on a regular basis – a significant increase from the 3.5 million active traders in 2009.

False Forex Facts

This list of facts wouldn’t be complete without addressing various tropes and inaccuracies that are abundant in the world of trading Forex. Take heed of the following (and wholeheartedly disregard) should you happen upon any of them:

1. Forex Is a Guaranteed Path to Wealth: Forex trading requires patience and consistency and not a get-rich-quick mentality. Traders need to focus on making consistent trades rather than expecting instant wealth with minimal effort. You should also ignore (with extreme prejudice)any ‘Forex Gurus’ who make outlandish claims – usually on social media – about guaranteed Forex wealth.
2. Forex Is a Short-Term Game: Long-term currency trends are tradable and driven by fundamental factors. Traders can benefit from taking a longer-term time frame, reducing spreads, and avoiding impulsive short-term trades. Currencies can also be used as an investment for diversification or hedging purposes.
3. The Forex Market Is Rigged: No, it isn’t. While fraud can occur, the forex market itself is resoundingly legitimate. It is the largest market in the world, influenced by numerous transactions and inputs daily. Unsuccessful traders should not blame a rigged market or corrupt brokers for their losses.
4. You Will Be Right Each Time: Losses are a part of trading, and no strategy can be right every time. Traders should accept that losses occur and focus on finding a strategy that provides a slight edge in the current market conditions.
5. You will Make Money Trading on the News: Trading news events in real-time can be challenging due to limited liquidity and fast-moving markets. While it is possible to set up trades before announcements, executing them requires quick analysis and meticulous strategies.
6. The More Trades the Better: Trading less and focusing on a few currency pairs that a trader understands can be more beneficial than making numerous trades. Scalping strategies aside, most traders benefit from patience, waiting for the best opportunities.
7. You Can Predict the Market: Attempting to predict the market will quite often lead to failure. Traders should trade according to the market’s movement, following a careful system and accepting both winning and losing trades. Confirmation of predictions through currency movement is essential.
8. Complex Strategies Are Better: Complexity does not guarantee better returns. Traders should stick with simple strategies based on price movement, trend identification, and money management. Profits are made at the margin, and changing a successful system is unnecessary.
9. Money Management Just Means Stopping: Wrong. Money management encompasses ‘risk per trade’, the number of open trades, hedging, and correlation considerations. It is a crucial factor in trading success and goes beyond simply setting stop orders. Ignoring money management leads to failure, regardless of the trading strategy.
10. Just Follow What the Others Are Doing: Traders should develop their own skills and conclusions instead of blindly following the advice of others. While experienced professionals can provide valuable insights, traders should filter and scrutinize information before acting on it. The trader’s own judgment and input are essential for the profitability of their account.

So, there you have it. The InvestinGoal compilation of informational nuggets, figures, and general forex facts all rolled into one comprehensive list. There are many other facts and stats we could present to you today, but we feel the points covered above represent the truth about forex, especially for those who are new to trading.