| The Forex refers to the foreign exchange currency | | | | trading game. To get started, you needed to satisfy |
| market. It is the largest financial market in the world, | | | | an initial capital requirement of $10 to $50 million. |
| trading more than $2 trillion on average each day. | | | | These high capital requirements and lack of access |
| Comparing an average day of the Forex, the | | | | kept the doors shut to most of us. |
| average daily volume of $25 billion on the New York | | | | With expansion of the Internet, online Forex trading |
| Stock Exchange begins to look like chump change. It | | | | firms began to offer trading accounts to 'retail' |
| does not take long before you begin to appreciate | | | | traders. With reduced capital requirements and online |
| the vast size of the foreign exchange market. | | | | access all you need to get started is a computer, a |
| Currencies are traded in pairs on the Forex, which | | | | high-speed Internet connection, and an understanding |
| involves the simultaneous buying of one currency and | | | | of the Forex market and how to trade it profitably. |
| the selling of another. You may trade the Euro dollar | | | | The Forex market comes with a series of additional |
| and the US dollar (EUR/USD) pair or the British pound | | | | benefit, which make it irresistable to traders. There |
| and the Japanese Yen (GBP/JPY) pair, as examples. | | | | are only seven major currency pairs. Compare that |
| In effect, you are buying the currency of a particular | | | | to tracking thousands of stocks. There are no |
| country. This equates to taking a position in that | | | | commissions or exchange fees. Your broker simply |
| nation's economic growth. The price of the currency | | | | makes their money from the difference on the bid / |
| is a direct reflection of what the market thinks about | | | | ask spread. This is also the most liquid market |
| the current and future health of that nation's | | | | anywhere. |
| economy. If you buy the Japanese Yen, you are in | | | | There are other benefits, but you probably have an |
| effect buying a share in the Japanese economy with | | | | idea as to why currency trading is quickly growing in |
| the belief that their economy will expand in | | | | popularity with retail traders. The obstacles to |
| comparison to the economy of other counties. | | | | accessing these benefits have been largely eliminated, |
| The Forex has no physical exchange or central | | | | with knowledge the only barrier between you and |
| market. Instead, it is an Over-The-Counter (OTC) or | | | | forex trading profitability. |
| 'Interbank' market. The entire market is run | | | | If you wish to learn more about the basics of how |
| electronically, within a network of banks. | | | | the foreign exchange market works, you will find |
| The market is available continuously open. This | | | | numerous resources on the Internet and can access |
| 24-hour market is achieved by a transitioning of | | | | reliable information from reputable Forex brokers. |
| trading activity around the globe. Trading begins in | | | | There are many good books on the subject available |
| Sydney, Australia, then shifts to Tokyo, Japan. Next, | | | | at very reasonable prices. |
| London, England takes over and then "passes the | | | | Once you understand the basics and choose to take |
| baton" to New York. As New York shuts down, | | | | the next step, you will want to invest in a solid |
| Sydney is opening for business. | | | | trading course from a reputable source. With good |
| The foreign exchange market was not designed for | | | | instruction, there is very little that stands between |
| retail traders, but was originally intended to be used | | | | you and the ability to benefit from trading the |
| by bankers and large institutions. Prior to the late | | | | foreign exchange currency market. |
| 1990's, only these "big boys" could play the Forex | | | | |