﻿ Forex: Learn More About Currency Trading Online - FXCM UK



Trade currencies in the largest market in the world with more than $5 trillion in daily trading volume. Featuring robust depth and maximum liquidity, the forex is a premier destination for active traders around the globe.

What is Forex?

Forex, also known as foreign exchange, FX or currency trading, is a decentralized global market where the world buys and sells currency. The forex market is the largest, most liquid market in the world with an average daily trading volume exceeding $5 trillion. Learn More

Why Trade Forex?

The foreign currency exchange offers an abundance of potential opportunities for veteran traders as well as those new to the markets. If you are searching for a target-rich environment for active trading, look no further than the forex.

Forex Never Sleeps

With no set exchange hours, you can trade currencies 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Trade on Margin

You can trade forex with leverage (30:1 for major currency pairs)1

Unmatched Liquidity

Deep liquidity makes it easier to get in and out of trades at any time, even in large sizes.

Forex Never Sleeps


Trade on Margin


Unmatched Liquidity


Forex Currency Pairs

Currency Pairs


The majors and the commodity pairs are the most liquid and most widely traded currency pairs in the forex market. These pairs and their combinations (EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY and EUR/GBP) make up the vast majority of all trading on the forex. Due to the fact they attract the largest volume of buyers and sellers, spreads are typically the tightest.

  • Commodity Pairs: AUD/USD, USD/CAD, NZD/USD

However, there are other currency pairs that allow you to take advantage of macroeconomic events in specific international markets, such as the USD/MXN (US Dollar/Mexican Peso).

Symbol Guide

Symbol Country Currency
AUD Australia Dollar
CAD Canada Dollar
CHF Switzerland Franc
CNH China Yuan
EUR Eurozone Euro
GBP Great Britain Pound
JPY Japan Yen
MXN Mexico Peso
NOK Norway Krone
NZD New Zealand Dollar
SEK Sweden Krona
TRY Turkey Lira
USD United States Dollar
ZAR South Africa Rand

How Do You Make Money With Forex Trading?

The international currency trade furnishes participants with an unparalleled collection of opportunities. Given the depth and liquidity of the forex, it is possible to implement almost any viable strategy with maximum efficiency. From short-term intraday approaches to multi-session swing trading plans, profiting from periodic exchange rate fluctuations can become not only possible but probable.

Perhaps the single most beneficial attribute of the forex is flexibility. Unlike in more conventional trading modules such as stocks, forex trading profits are not limited only to buying low and selling high. You are able to make money from being either long or short a specific market, increasing the number of potential trading opportunities exponentially.

Whether your outlook on a currency is bullish or bearish, you have the ability to capitalise upon the idea. Buy low and sell high or sell high and buy low ― the forex does not limit your trading options or your money-making potential.

How to calculate your Forex Profit

How to calculate your Forex Profit?

As it pertains to any business ― active trading or otherwise ― profit is the difference between gains and losses minus operating expenses. The beauty of forex trading is that quantifying profit is straightforward because expenses are limited, and gains and losses are easily accounted for.

The best way to manage profit is through regularly referencing your trading platform. Software suites such as Trading Station, Metatrader 4, ZuluTrade and NinjaTrader calculate gains and losses on a pip-by-pip basis. As the market moves, your account balance is updated automatically via the functionality of your platform. Factoring in expenses is also a routine task given FXCM's low spreads and Active Trader's pricing structures.


How much money do you need to Get Started?

One of the largest advantages to trading forex is the minimal amount of capital necessary to get started. Retail traders with limited resources are afforded access to the same markets as institutional participants. In fact, FXCM offers interested individuals the ability to begin trading with as little as £300.

Conventional financial wisdom suggests that it takes a lot of money to participate in the markets. That is the beauty of the forex ― you don't need to be a millionaire to trade. Utilize the potential of your risk capital.

Of course, as you gain experience in the markets, your goals and resources will often change. In order to cater to the needs of the evolving trader, FXCM offers a variety of account types. Rest assured that no matter your resources and trade-related objectives, FXCM can furnish an alternative designed to enhance your trading experience in the forex market.

Why Trade With FXCM?

FXCM is a global leader in the provision of forex, CFD and spread betting market access. If you are an active trader or a newcomer anxious to get started, our award-winning service suite stands ready to help you achieve your goals in the marketplace.

Here are the benefits of trading with FXCM:

  • Diversity of options: Trade an array of popular currency pairs and CFDs with improved execution and no restrictions for stop and limit orders on major indices.
  • Low Spreads: Average low spreads for the EUR/USD (1.3 pips) and the GBP/USD (1.6 pips) promote affordability.2
  • Powerful Trading Platforms: Engage the markets with confidence via FXCM's flagship Trading Station platform. It is available in desktop, mobile, or the Mac-friendly Trading Station Web 2.0 format. FXCM also supports MetaTrader 4 and the advanced functionality of Expert Advisors.

In addition to these perks, all live account holders enjoy access to Free Live Trading Signals courtesy of FXCM PLUS. Featuring proprietary signals and analytics, FXCM PLUS has everything you need to maximize your performance in the ultra-competitive forex environment.

If you are an active trader, you can be eligible for different tier pricing. Learn More

Trade Forex With FXCM

Forex Spreads

With FXCM you pay only the spread to trade forex. Reduced pricing is available to high-volume investors.

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Execution Transparency

It is our mission to provide you with the best trading experience. Explore our quality pricing, transparency and execution services.

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Trading Station

Our proprietary trading platform provides powerful analytics tools for chart traders and straightforward capabilities for new traders.

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