What is forex trading? – How to trade forex?


The most frequent questions asked by new traders are: What is Forex Trading? And, How to trade Forex? The forex markets are the global currency markets accessed by traders via  brokers. The difference between the Forex markets and the stock markets is that Forex pairs are not traded on a central exchange like stocks. Forex trading has expanded to include contracts for differences (CFDs) on other assets such as stocks, indices, and commodities, which should not be confused with actual stocks. While CFDs represent the underlying stocks, they have slight differences in that the CFDs can be traded when the actual stock market is closed.

The Forex market is one of the most liquid markets globally, with transactions exceeding 5 trillion dollars. Most of these transactions are made by large financial institutions such as central banks and top investment funds. Traders and investors account for a significant portion of the Forex trades executed each day, with most traders trading the EUR/USD currency pair.

Forex trading is the act of buying one currency while selling another by buying and selling currency pairs. For example, buying the EUR/USD currency pair means buying the euro while selling the US dollar. This principle applies to all currency pairs traded in the Forex markets. There are numerous currency pairs for traders to trade, including major and minor currency pairs and exotic pairs.

Forex trading steps

To invest in the Forex markets and become consistently profitable, you must follow a few steps to increase your chances of success. These steps are detailed below:

  1. Learn the fundamental principles of foreign exchange trading.

  2. Know how to predict prices based on support and resistance levels.

  3. Learn how to use the MetaTrader platform.

  4. Learn technical analysis, including how to use indicators and charts.

  5. Identifying the appropriate entry and exit points for specific currency pairs.

  6. Learn how to manage your risk to limit losses and maximise wins.

If you follow the above steps correctly, you will gain extensive experience trading the Forex markets and becoming a successful trader. Learning the above skills will help you trade multiple instruments since they are universal skills.

Advantages of forex trading or online trading

Trading the forex or foreign exchange market has many advantages that make it different from other investment markets. These factors are listed below and are why many investors prefer to trade these markets instead of traditional investments.

  1. Trading happens 24 hours, five days a week.

  2. You can start with minimal capital.

  3. The Forex markets have high liquidity.

  4. Traders can make profits from both rising and falling prices.

  5. You can trade from anywhere in the world at any time.

  6. Traders can practise trading on a demo account before moving to a real account.

  7. Forex trading allows for high leverage levels.

  8. Traders can trade a large selection of major and minor currency pairs.

Therefore, it is a very distinctive market for traders and investors from different countries worldwide as it has many advantages over other investment markets.

Online trading strategies

To achieve success in the forex market or the online trading markets, you must follow a consistent trading strategy aligned with your personality with an edge in the markets. There are numerous trading strategies used by investors globally, and the ones listed below are just a few of these strategies. They include:

  1. A price breakout strategy.

  2. The high to low trading strategy

  3. The Recovery Zone Strategy.

  4. Moving Average Indicator Strategies.

  5. Bollinger bands strategy.

Therefore, you must carefully examine and study the state of the markets from all angles. Most traders choose to focus on fundamental or technical analysis, with either strategy having its strengths and weaknesses. However, the best traders incorporate both strategies in their trading routine to maximise their trading results by increasing their profits and reducing their losses.


High-risk investment warning: Trading Foreign Exchange (Forex) and Contracts for Differences (CFDs) is highly speculative, carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. You may sustain a loss of some or all of your invested capital, therefore, you should not speculate with capital that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with trading on margin. Any opinions, news, research, analysis, prices or other information contained in this presentation is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice.

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD stabilizes above 1.1350 on Easter Friday

EUR/USD stabilizes above 1.1350 on Easter Friday

EUR/USD enters a consolidation phase above 1.1350 on Friday as the trading action remains subdued, with major markets remaining closed in observance of the Easter Holiday. On Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced it cut key rates by 25 bps, as expected.

EUR/USD News
GBP/USD fluctuates below 1.3300, looks to post weekly gains

GBP/USD fluctuates below 1.3300, looks to post weekly gains

After setting a new multi-month high near 1.3300 earlier in the week, GBP/USD trades in a narrow band at around 1.32700 on Friday and remains on track to end the week in positive territory. Markets turn quiet on Friday as trading conditions thin out on Easter Holiday.

GBP/USD News
USD/JPY holds losses below 142.50, support appears at seven-month lows

USD/JPY holds losses below 142.50, support appears at seven-month lows

USD/JPY inches lower after registering gains in the previous session, trading around 142.40 during the Asian session on Friday. An analysis of the daily chart showed the pair moves downward within a descending channel indicating a confirmed bearish bias.

USD/JPY News

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD stabilizes above 1.1350 on Easter Friday

EUR/USD stabilizes above 1.1350 on Easter Friday

EUR/USD enters a consolidation phase above 1.1350 on Friday as the trading action remains subdued, with major markets remaining closed in observance of the Easter Holiday. On Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced it cut key rates by 25 bps, as expected.

EUR/USD News
GBP/USD fluctuates below 1.3300, looks to post weekly gains

GBP/USD fluctuates below 1.3300, looks to post weekly gains

After setting a new multi-month high near 1.3300 earlier in the week, GBP/USD trades in a narrow band at around 1.32700 on Friday and remains on track to end the week in positive territory. Markets turn quiet on Friday as trading conditions thin out on Easter Holiday.

GBP/USD News
Gold ends week with impressive gains above $3,300

Gold ends week with impressive gains above $3,300

Gold retreated slightly from the all-time high it touched at $3,357 early Thursday but still gained more than 2% for the week after settling at $3,327. The uncertainty surrounding US-China trade relations caused markets to adopt a cautious stance, boosting safe-haven demand for Gold.

Gold News
How SEC-Ripple case and ETF prospects could shape XRP’s future

How SEC-Ripple case and ETF prospects could shape XRP’s future

Ripple consolidated above the pivotal $2.00 level while trading at $2.05 at the time of writing on Friday, reflecting neutral sentiment across the crypto market. 

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Future-proofing portfolios: A playbook for tariff and recession risks

Future-proofing portfolios: A playbook for tariff and recession risks

It does seem like we will be talking tariffs for a while. And if tariffs stay — in some shape or form — even after negotiations, we’ll likely be talking about recession too. Higher input costs, persistent inflation, and tighter monetary policy are already weighing on global growth. 

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The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD

SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.

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