What is Forex?
Forex refers to the global currency market, which is a market that allows the trading of currencies from different countries. In simple terms, the Forex market is the largest financial market in the world, where participants can buy and sell currencies from different countries and profit from exchange rate fluctuations. Whenever you exchange currency, whether for travel or investment, you are participating in the operation of the Forex market.
Everyday examples of currency exchange
For example, when you travel abroad, you need to exchange your home currency for the local currency at the airport or exchange booth. This is one of the most common currency trading scenarios. The exchange rate reflects the relative price of the two currencies, and these rates fluctuate based on the supply and demand in the market.
Participants and Trading Methods
The Forex market is a decentralized market with no single central exchange. Central banks, financial institutions, corporations, hedge funds, and individual traders (retail investors) from around the world can participate in this market. Their trading objective is to profit from currency fluctuations. Most trades are speculative rather than based on actual economic demand.
Market Size and Liquidity
The scale of the Forex market is enormous, with daily trading volumes exceeding 7.5 trillion USD, making it the largest financial market in the world. In contrast, the average daily trading volume of the New York Stock Exchange is about 20 billion USD. Such a massive trading volume gives the Forex market extremely high liquidity, and exchange rates fluctuate constantly, providing investors with numerous profit opportunities.
Operating Hours of the Forex Market
Unlike the stock market, the Forex market is open almost 24 hours a day, operating continuously from Monday to Friday. Financial centers around the world, such as Tokyo, London, and New York, take turns opening, ensuring that traders can conduct currency transactions at any time.
Summary
The Forex market is the largest financial market in the world, characterized by high liquidity and 24/7 operation. This provides investors with abundant trading opportunities, but beginners should fully understand the market mechanisms and risk management strategies before entering. It is recommended to start practicing with a Demo Account to gradually accumulate experience.