Barclays (UK)

The forex market is open for trading 24-hours a day from 10pm (UTC) on Sunday to 10pm (UTC) on Friday. That means with FX, you can build your trading strategy around your schedule, instead of having to conform to when a stock exchange is open.

However, there are times when the market is much more active, and times when it is comparatively dormant. To learn the best times to trade forex, read our dedicated page.

Forex is traded via a global network of banks in what’s known as an over-the-counter market – unlike shares and commodities, which are bought and sold on exchanges. Because of this, you can trade forex 24-hours a day.

FX trading is split across four main ‘hubs’ in London, Tokyo, New York and Sydney. When banks in one of these areas close, those in another open, which is what facilitates round-the-clock trading.

However, there’s no physical location where these banks and individuals trade with each other. Instead, it is entirely online.

Learn more about how to trade forex.

People trade currencies for lots of different reasons. You’ve probably traded a currency if you’ve ever bought goods overseas, for example, or gone on a foreign holiday. However, the vast majority of FX trading is done for profit.

Currencies are constantly moving in value against each other. On any given day, the pound might be rising against the dollar, while the euro falls against the Swiss franc. Forex traders buy and sell currency pairs to try and take advantage of this volatility and earn a return.

For instance, if the pound is rising against the dollar, you might buy GBP/USD. When you buy this pair, you’re buying pound sterling (GBP) by selling the US dollar (USD). Then, if the pound continues to outpace the dollar, you can sell the pair to exchange your GBP back for USD and keep the difference as profit.

Confused? See more examples of how FX trading works.