Why trading currency is so popular. Image credit: AdobeStock
Whatever it may be, we cannot escape the fact that foreign exchange trading is highly popular, and there’s no end in sight. All over the internet, we see it; it’s on the news, basically everywhere. Let’s look at exactly why trading currency is so popular.
Let’s look at it this way; forex markets are the largest in the world. This boils down to the dollar value of trading volume. The forex market is also the most liquid financial market. This means that stocks are considered liquid if shares can be bought and sold very quickly, with little to no impact on the actual stock’s price. Furthermore, with the internet, things just catapulted and resulted in more traders coming to the fold. Essentially the average Joe or Jane could trade just as large institutional traders would. The internet is wonderful because it also supplies unlimited access to markets and trading platforms.
The most significant reason trading currency is so popular is liquidity; let’s unpack why. This large financial market opens traders up to substantial gains and fast returns. Massive amounts of currency are being traded at any given point, and it is this that supplies the opportunities for liquidity. On the other end, it does open you up to the volatility of the market and some risks, but this is something that can be solved with the correct strategies. Remember that with trading, you need a strategy. And the best traders can vouch for that.
Accessibility also plays a major part. Since the forex markets are open 24/7, you can trade when it’s convenient for you; another factor that influences its popularity. And since it’s universally accessible, the number of investors, as well as brokers buying and selling, determine the market’s movements. And since trading does not run on a central exchange system, you are trading on a global network. Furthermore, accessibility offers you, the trader, the chance to react to market movements almost instantly and plot your next course of action at that point.
In trading, leverage is defined as borrowing an amount of money needed to invest in something else. With forex, you will see that money is borrowed from a broker. So why does it work? Well, traders, if this is done strategically, can benefit here. Forex offers high leverage because it uses the first margin requirement. This way, traders can both control and build up substantial amounts of money.
There is power in leveraging, and it is largely due to forex brokers who trade in mini and macro-lots. So, what are they? Let’s start with a mini lot. This is one-tenth of the size of a standard lot, while a micro-lot is one-hundredth of a standard lot. Even when we look at restricted forex trading, the leverage is at 30:1. Here’s an example. Say a trader traded in five micro-lots of EUR/USD with a $5 margin deposit. The deposit can double to a 10-pip move. However, if the market moved by 100 pips in favour of the trader, their $5 deposit would balloon to $50.
The wonderful thing about trading is that you can use strategies. You are encouraged to form your own strategies to maximise your return. Essentially, you will be setting yourself up for success. This adds to the appeal of trading and is one of the reasons for its popularity. But why is that? Think about it this way; when you run a major business, you must have a business plan, as well as a strategy to ensure you are effective in your sector. It is the same for trading. You can also change your strategy depending on the market. Sometimes adjusting your trading strategy offers even more than you thought it would.
Further to this, technical analysis of the markets is a key driver in making the best possible trading decisions. And more so in the forex environment. Strategies also involve research, such as looking up how interest rates can affect your trading and understanding what is currently trending in the markets. Traders can use charts and indicators to predict trends and price movements. All of this can be analysed against earlier trends. It’s simply a wonderful aspect of trading.