Top Forex Currency Pairs and Tips for Trading Them US

11 October 2023

The Swiss franc’s value is influenced by the Swiss National Bank’s actions and economic data published by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. Switzerland’s reputation for financial stability attracts investors during times of market volatility, making the CHF a popular safe-haven currency. As demand for the franc increases, the value of USD/CHF tends to decline.

USDCHF

The best time to trade will depend on the pairs you wish to trade and your time zone. For example, night traders in the US can only trade the American and Asian markets since Europe and the Middle East may be closed. Known as “Cable,” the GBP/USD pair highlights the economic ties between the UK and the U.S. Movements in this pair are driven by economic data, interest rate decisions from the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve, and political events such as Brexit developments. Our valuable courses focus on practical applications and high risk-to-reward strategies that you can execute with minimal time commitment. However, considering the diverse influences of the UK and Canada, this can make it a more dynamic and unpredictable trading pair.

The markets are moving.

  • This currency pair is best for traders who are active during the London session and have a lower risk-to-reward ratio trading strategy.
  • Leveraged trading in foreign currency contracts or other off-exchange products on margin carries a high level of risk and is not suitable for everyone.
  • Again, the popularity and volume of trading in this pair reflect the strength of the British and U.S. economies.
  • Minor forex pairs, or crosses, can include frequently traded currencies such as the Euro, British pound, Japanese yen, and  US dollar.

Along with the USD, it becomes the best currency in the forex market. It is connected with USD/JPY and makes it possible for traders to achieve their profit according to their trading plans. Always try to choose the currency pair for trading that has a high volume of transactions with liquidity. It is best to avoid trading currencies, equities or anything if you do not have the right mindset. Once emotions start messing with your decisions, it will show on your account balance. Every trader will feel the toll of Forex, your mood will swing in the same way as your profits and losses.

Top Forex Pairs During the London Session and Their Characteristics

Firstly, ‘Fibre’ (as this market is also called) has the lowest spread, often a pip or less. Since it consists of the most traded currencies, EUR/USD is among the most liquid markets. Finally, given its huge popularity, traders can access plenty of technical and fundamental information on EUR/USD. Euros and Great British pound (or chunnel), it is one of the most popular minor pairs traded besides the majors, those five currency pairs which consist of the US dollar (USD). When it comes to minor pairs to trade, we talk about pairs that don’t include the US dollar but at least one of the world’s leading currencies (e.g., the Japanese yen, the euro, the British pound).

  • Interestingly enough, in forex, the Swiss franc is also considered a safe haven – just like the US dollar.
  • Minor currency pairs, such as EUR/GBP (euro and British pound), involve currencies from strong European economies but still exhibit lower liquidity compared to major pairs like EUR/USD.
  • Comprising a diverse network of financial institutions and traders, the Forex market is the largest financial market in the world.
  • However, considering the diverse influences of the UK and Canada, this can make it a more dynamic and unpredictable trading pair.

And to achieve this, we analyze and help you understand the most popular forex pairs. We will tell you about the most volatile currency crosses and how they correlate with other currency pairs and financial assets. These currency pairs account for over 60% of the total forex trading volume according to the 2022 BIS triennial report. EUR/USD is the most traded currency pair, accounting for approximately 23% of the total trading volume. The USD/BRL is a popular exotic currency pair, accounting for almost 2% of the total trading volume.

Secondly, the EUR/USD pair attracts extremely tight spreads on these brokerages. For example, the spreads for the pair on leading brokerages like Capital.com can be as low as 0.6 pips. Here is an outline of what we consider the best pairs to trade in Best pairs to trade forex forex in 2023. It is a blend of major, minor, and exotics whose popularity not only makes them deeply liquid but also affects their spreads. Many beginners dive into volatile Forex pairs, thinking higher risk means bigger rewards.

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It is widely regarded as the most traded currency pair globally, accounting for approximately 28% of daily trading volume in the forex market as of 2023. This comprehensive understanding empowers traders to make informed decisions, optimize trade setups, and ultimately enhance their overall trading performance in the forex market. The best currency pairs have this attribute, an indication of their popularity among traders. While there is no single way to measure liquidity in forex pairs, they have the lowest spread and decent volatility and are usually based on currencies like USD, EUR, GBP, and JPY. It is strongly influenced by economic data from both the US and UK economies.

Analyze Economic and Political Stability

Accordingly, USDCAD has a negative correlation with the price of oil. This comprehensive guide should serve as a resource to help you make educated decisions when choosing currency pairs to trade. Whether you are focused on short-term profits or long-term trends, understanding the underlying factors that drive forex pairs is a critical step toward achieving your trading goals. Fundamental analysis assesses economic, social, and political factors to predict currency pair movements, especially beneficial for long-term trading strategies. However, the best currency pairs will usually hit the sweet spot between not too high and not too low. While exotic pairs are more volatile (which may provide higher profit potential), their price movements are erratic and, hence, less pleasant to trade.

On the other hand, expert traders earn a 20% commission on all the profits made from their copied trades. Some of its inviting features include a large collection of fx trading pairs – up to 49 major, minor, and exotic crosses. It also has one of the most straightforward trader onboarding processes and a highly intuitive trading interface. Additionally, it charges some of the most competitive spreads on all fx pairs, maintains one of the fastest transaction execution speeds, and doesn’t charge commission for fx trades. But the volatility notwithstanding, it still makes it to our list of best pairs to trade in forex – for high-risk traders. With volatility and high-risk tolerance comes the ability to make significant gains in either market direction.

It may happen for a certain Forex pair or it may be for the whole Forex market globally! Both currencies are traded globally, which provides the pair with high liquidity, making it one of the best forex pairs to trade. This pair has steady liquidity, especially during the Asian and Pacific trading sessions.

Chinmay Soni is a financial analyst with more than 5 years of experience in working with stocks, Forex, derivatives, and other assets. As a founder of a boutique research firm and an active researcher, he covers various industries and fields, providing insights backed by statistical data. The company’s history, deposit requirements, spread amount, trading instruments, educational tools, and reliability are things to consider. However, it is often bullish during times of economic distress or instability due to its status as a safe haven. Another contributor to the sharp movements in GBP/USD is the distinct economic policies between the United Kingdom and the United States.

5 AUD/USD and USD/CAD – Resource-Linked Currencies

The EUR/GBP represents the exchange rate between the Euro and the British Pound, while the EUR/JPY represents the exchange rate between the Euro and the Japanese Yen. Both pairs offer good liquidity and can provide opportunities for beginners to analyze different economies and their respective currencies. Another major currency pair that beginners can consider is the GBP/USD (British Pound/US Dollar). The GBP/USD is often referred to as the “Cable” and is known for its significant price movements and volatility. While this can present higher risk, it also offers potential for higher profits.

Plus, you can access our full range of currency pairs along with advanced mobile charting functionality on OANDA’s mobile app. If you are new to forex trading or if you want to try out buying and selling popular currencies, then apply for a demo account at OANDA. A demo account allows you to practice trading with virtual money in a simulated trading environment, without risking real funds. The base currency is the first currency in the pair, while the quote currency is the second currency in the pair. For example, in the currency pair EUR/USD, the EUR is the base currency, and the USD is the quote currency. Applying this to an exchange rate of 1.1000, this means you would need 1.10 dollars, the quote currency, to buy 1.00 Euro, the base currency.

The best forex pairs to trade at night are the ones on the other side of the world from where you are located as liquidity will be higher. Whether you prefer the stability of USD/CAD or the rapid movements of GBP/USD, being better informed about these major pairs can improve your forex trading experience and overall profitability. In the forex market, currency pairs are categorized into four types, each offering distinct trading characteristics. The total daily global forex market turnover was assessed by the BIS as $7.5 trillion during that same survey period. This forex pair is highly popular, perhaps one of the most traded ones across the world. That being said, the uncertainties around Brexit may impose different obstacles on the British pound.

David Slocombe
Author: David Slocombe

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