Exoticpairs
TYPES OF CURRENCY PAIRSWhen trading Forex, it is essential to know about the different types of currency pairs, as some pairs are much riskier to trade than others, especially for those with minimal trading experience.
Major Currency Pairs
Before we discuss major currency pairs, we should first list the major currencies individually. The eight major currencies are:
US dollar (USD)
Euro (EUR)
British pound (GBP)
Japanese yen (JPY)
Swiss franc (CHF)
Canadian dollar (CAD)
Australian dollar (AUD)
New Zealand dollar (NZD)
As listed above, there are eight major currencies but there are only seven major pairs because a major pair includes the U.S. dollar. Major pairs are the most traded currency pairs on the forex market. They account for the highest average trade volume and have the most liquid markets, as well as the lowest risks and spreads offered by brokers. The seven major currency
pairs are:
EUR/USD – Euro / US dollar
GBP/USD – British Pound / US dollar
USD/JPY – US dollar / Japanese yen
AUD/USD – Australian dollar / US dollar
USD/CHF – US dollar / Swiss franc
USD/CAD – US dollar / Canadian dollar
NZD/USD – New Zealand dollar / US dollar
Note that AUD/USD and USD/CAD are sometimes also referred to as commodity currencies.
Minor Currency Pairs
Minor currency pairs (also known as cross pairs or crosses) always include two major currencies but not the U.S. dollar. Crosses are not as popular and as highly traded as the major pairs. This means they can be riskier than a major pair and will attract wider spreads from brokers. Their liquidity can also be low at times, presenting a challenge for inexperienced traders in a thin volume environment. Here are a few examples of minor currency pairs:
EUR/GBP – Euro / British pound
EUR/JPY – Euro / Japanese yen
GBP/JPY – British pound / Japanese yen
AUD/NZD – Australian dollar / New Zealand dollar
NZD/JPY – New Zealand dollar / Japanese yen
GBP/CAD – British pound / Canadian dollar
Exotic Currency Pairs
Exotic currency pairs consist of a major currency paired with a currency from a developing and emerging nations as well as certain developed nations. These currency pairs trade in a far less liquid market compared to the majors and minors as they are traded less frequently. This causes their spreads to be much higher than those of the major and minor pairs. Here are a few examples of exotic currency pairs:
EUR/TRY – Euro / Turkish lira
USD/ZAR – US dollar / South African rand
AUD/MXN – Australian dollar / Mexican peso
USD/HKD – US dollar / Hong Kong dollar
NZD/THB – New Zealand dollar / Thai baht
CAD/NGN – Canadian dollar / Nigerian naira
Risks and Spreads
Major currency pairs have the most liquidity and as a result, attract lower spreads, whilst minor and exotic pairs are much riskier and attract wider spreads.
Liquidity & Volatility
Due to high liquidity in the major currency pairs market, they are consistent and predictable, whilst minor and exotic pairs can be volatile and extremely unpredictable at times.
Please also see images below for visual examples of the difference in price behaviour of the different pair types.
MAJOR PAIR & CROSS PAIR
MAJOR PAIR & EXOTIC PAIR
CROSS PAIR & EXOTIC PAIR
Which is the best currency type to trade for new traders? We will be a posting an educational article on this in the future delving into details regarding this question.
Trade safely and responsibly.
BluetonaFX
What is a Spread in Forex?Hello hello! In this post, we'll take a look at the basic principles behind the spread in forex market and why it is important.
In the foreign exchange market, the spread is the difference between the bid price and the ask price for a particular currency pair. The bid price is the highest price that a market maker is willing to pay for a currency, while the ask price is the lowest price at which a market maker is willing to sell the same currency. The spread, therefore, represents the cost of trading a particular currency pair.
When trading in the forex market, traders usually buy a currency at the ask price and then sell it at a higher bid price, hoping to make a profit. The spread is the difference between the two prices and it represents the trader's cost of trading that currency pair.
The spread is usually expressed in pips, which is the smallest unit of price change in the forex market. For example, if the bid price for EUR/USD is 1.0735 and the ask price is 1.0740, the spread would be 5 pips.
The size of the spread can vary depending on the currency pair being traded and the market conditions. Some currency pairs, such as the major pairs like EUR/USD, USD/JPY, and GBP/USD, tend to have relatively tight spreads, while others, such as the exotic pairs, can have wider spreads. Also, the spread can vary depending on the trading conditions, for instance, during high volatility period, such as economic news release, the spread tend to widen.
In forex trading, traders should always be aware of the spread as it represents a cost of trading and it affects the trader's potential profits and losses. Spreads are usually factored into a trader's profit and loss calculations and it is important to consider the spread before opening a trade. Some brokers also offer variable spreads and fixed spreads, it is important to be aware of the difference between the two.
Many online forex brokers now offer variable spreads, which means that the spread will change depending on the market conditions, but some brokers also offer fixed spreads, which means that the spread will remain the same regardless of market conditions.
USD/SGD Long Position Buy Op
Daily/4Hr
Price has been in a downtrend but it is looking like we may have a reversal/breakout happening.
The 50MA has crossed over the 200MA on the 4hr and may be pulling back to the 200MA on the Daily.
Will be looking for my buy entry on the higher low/50MA on the 4hr chart and 1hr for candle confirmations.
Entry AREA 1.33360
SL 1.33008 (35Pips)
TP 1.35000 (163Pips) 1:4.66 Risk/Reward
GJ INTRA-WEEK ANALYSISWhats Up! Mr. Pipzz back here with another analysis
These are my thoughts for GBPJPY this week.
I can see the market pulling into either direction. So, I've identified a few key targets for both the bulls and the bears.
Not going to over explain, I'm just getting straight to the point. This week started off extremely bearish following a pullback to a small, but nice liquidity zone. Last weeks close has already been filled, so I'm not seeing any bullish confluence for that. If price does manage to close above 139.75, I predict sniper entries from the 15m, & 30m indicating a push back to the upside.
On the other hand, because the trend has been bearish its safe to follow simple rules like following the trend. If break of bearish structure occurs, it would be easy to spot because of the amount of pips it has already dropped. Overall I think we could see a push back to the lower liquidity zone to either test and break, or form a triple bottom. (137.15)
Leave a like or comment if this benefited you in any way.
Thanks, & have a Happy New Year!
-Mr.Pipzz
USDSEK - LongPrice is forming a descending channel ; Price possibly is forming a descending channel within the descending channel towards support. Its possible price can breakout and go to 8.70250 if price breaks that resistance its possible price can head to 8.94500 and if price breaks that its possible price can head to 9.14500.
USDRUB LongFrom a monthly PoV, pair has retraced to around the 61.8% fib level, which lines up with previous market structure (i.e resistance). If this level will hold as support, then it could be the point where retracement end.
Target is gotten from the weekly chart at the previous weekly support; further conflunce for target is that it lines up with the 38.2% fib level taken on the retracement leg from the monthly chart.
On the daily chart, market is forming an accumulation in the form of a wedge/pennant. If the pair would break out of this structure with a strong impulse on the daily chart, then entries can be sought on the retest of the structure, either on the 4hr, 1hr or lower time frame, depending on preference.
Patience is important. Best of luck!