Forex trading is the simultaneous buying of one currency and selling another. Currencies are traded through a broker or dealer, and are traded in pairs.
For example the euro and the U.S. dollar (EUR/USD) or the British pound and the Japanese yen (GBP/JPY).
Imagine each currency pair constantly in a “tug of war” with each currency on its own side of the rope. Exchange rates fluctuate based on which currency is stronger at the moment.
Major Currency Pairs
The currency pairs listed below are considered the “majors.”
These pairs all contain the U.S. dollar (USD) on one side and are the most frequently traded.
The majors are the most liquid and widely traded currency pairs in the world.
Major Cross-Currency Pairs or Minor Currency Pairs
Currency pairs that don’t contain the U.S. dollar (USD) are known as cross-currency pairs or simply as the “crosses.”
Major crosses are also known as “minors.”
The most actively traded crosses are derived from the three major non-USD currencies: EUR, JPY, and GBP.
Euro Crosses
Exotic Currency Pairs
No, exotic pairs are not exotic belly dancers who happen to be twins. Exotic currency pairs are made up of one major currency paired with the currency of an emerging economy, such as Brazil, Mexico or Hungary.
The chart below contains a few examples of exotic currency pairs. Wanna take a shot at guessing what those other currency symbols stand for?
Depending on your forex broker, you may see the following exotic currency pairs so it’s good to know what they are.
Keep in mind that these pairs aren’t as heavily traded as the “majors” or “crosses,” so the transaction costs associated with trading these pairs are usually bigger.
It’s not unusual to see spreads that are two or three times bigger than that of EUR/USD or USD/JPY. So if you want to trade exotics currency pairs, remember to factor this in your decision.
For example the euro and the U.S. dollar (EUR/USD) or the British pound and the Japanese yen (GBP/JPY).
Imagine each currency pair constantly in a “tug of war” with each currency on its own side of the rope. Exchange rates fluctuate based on which currency is stronger at the moment.
Major Currency Pairs
The currency pairs listed below are considered the “majors.”
These pairs all contain the U.S. dollar (USD) on one side and are the most frequently traded.
The majors are the most liquid and widely traded currency pairs in the world.
Major Cross-Currency Pairs or Minor Currency Pairs
Currency pairs that don’t contain the U.S. dollar (USD) are known as cross-currency pairs or simply as the “crosses.”
Major crosses are also known as “minors.”
The most actively traded crosses are derived from the three major non-USD currencies: EUR, JPY, and GBP.
Euro Crosses
Exotic Currency Pairs
No, exotic pairs are not exotic belly dancers who happen to be twins. Exotic currency pairs are made up of one major currency paired with the currency of an emerging economy, such as Brazil, Mexico or Hungary.
The chart below contains a few examples of exotic currency pairs. Wanna take a shot at guessing what those other currency symbols stand for?
Depending on your forex broker, you may see the following exotic currency pairs so it’s good to know what they are.
Keep in mind that these pairs aren’t as heavily traded as the “majors” or “crosses,” so the transaction costs associated with trading these pairs are usually bigger.
| CURRENCY PAIR | COUNTRIES | FX GEEK SPEAK |
|---|---|---|
USD/BRL | United States / Brazil | “dollar real” |
United States / Hong Kong | | |
USD/SAR | United States / Saudi Arabia | “dollar riyal” |
United States / Singapore | | |
United States / South Africa | “dollar rand” | |
USD/THB | United States / Thailand | “dollar baht” |
United States / Mexico | “dollar mex” | |
USD/DKK | United States / Denmark | “dollar krone” |
United States / Sweden | “dollar stockie” | |
United States / Norway | “dollar nockie” | |
United States / Russia | “dollar ruble” or “Barney” | |
USD/PLN | United States / Poland | “dollar zloty” |
