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The Importance of Major Pairs

The foreign exchange market is a place where trading in all currencies takes place. However, the volume of trade that takes place in different currencies varies greatly. Although there are hundreds of currencies in the world, about two-thirds of the massive $4 trillion foreign exchange trading volume is transacted in just 4 currency pairs! These 4 pairs are referred to as the major currencies. The movement of these pairs is the most watched metric in the forex market and is considered the general barometer of the market. Therefore, when forex experts talk about the forex market in general rising or falling, they refer to these pairs. In this article we will take a closer look at the 4 most important currency pairs.

EUR/USD:
The EUR/USD currency pair is the most actively traded currency pair in the world. Almost all the leading banks in the world have their own traders who trade EUR/USD exclusively. Despite the fact that the euro was introduced as a currency only recently, it has gained enormous importance and has become a part of the most traded currency pair in the world.

It is important to understand that in the EUR/USD pair, the euro is the base currency. This means that all contracts related to EUR/USD are denominated in Euro. In contrast, the price movements and profit and loss calculations are denominated in the US dollar.

And since the US dollar is the more accepted and liquid of the two currencies, all margin payments must usually be made in USD!

Trading this currency pair has several advantages. One of these advantages is the fact that the spreads on this pair are the lowest. This means that transaction costs are minimal when trading the EUR/USD pair. This lower spread is due to the fact that the EUR/USD pair is the most liquid currency pair in the world and there are several traders and market makers that constantly offer rates for this pair.

USD/CHF:
The Swiss franc is considered the safe haven of currencies. Therefore, the USD/CHF currency pair falls in value when the world considers the US dollar as a safe haven. However, when the dollar seems to be in danger, investors like to invest in the Swiss franc. It should be noted, however, that the value of this pair depends largely on the capital flows in the Swiss banking system, which is known worldwide for its secrecy! Switzerland’s reputation as a stable country with solid economic fundamentals also contributes to the Swiss franc being considered a safe haven among currencies.

USD/JPY:
The Japanese yen is the third most traded currency in the world after the US dollar and the euro. Therefore, the USD/JPY currency pair is of great importance. According to some estimates, trading in this currency pair alone accounts for about 20% of foreign exchange trading in the world. Moreover, it is important to realise that USD/JPY is an extremely volatile currency pair. It is notorious for moving within a trading range for a long period of time and then showing sudden fluctuations when it reaches a new homeostasis at a different price level. This currency pair is most sensitive to changes in interest rates in the US. This is because the Japanese government holds a large amount of U.S. debt, and any change in the yield has a strong impact on the Japanese government’s cash flow.

In this case, the U.S. dollar is the base currency. Therefore, all contracts referencing USD/JPY are denominated in U.S. dollars. However, the price movements and profit and loss calculations are denominated in Japanese yen.

Again, since the US dollar has unmatched liquidity, margin is always collected in USD.

GBP/USD:
The UK economy is one of the most important economies in the world, and the trading relationship between the British pound and the US dollar is of utmost importance. This pair is one of the oldest currency pairs traded on the market. As such, it has a nickname and is referred to as “Sterling”

Sterling has a huge trading volume, and the GBP/USD currency pair accounts for about 8% of the trading volume in the foreign exchange markets. This currency pair is extremely sensitive to news about the US dollar. It is also important to note that this pair has a positive correlation with the EUR/USD pair. When the EUR/USD pair moves 5% in a certain direction, the GBP/USD pair moves 8% in the same direction. At the same time, there is a negative correlation between the GBP/USD pair and the USD/CHF pair.

USD/CAD
The Canadian dollar is known in the world of currency trading as the Loonie, which is the name of the Canadian one-dollar coin that features an image of a bird, the Loon, that is widely distributed in Canada. The Canadian dollar is closely linked to the U.S. dollar because the economies of the two countries are very closely linked as neighbours. 85% of Canada’s exports go to the U.S., while Canada imports about 50% of its goods and services from the U.S. Canada’s most important exports include oil and lumber, with the price of oil being one of the most important factors influencing the value of the Canadian dollar.

5 Ways to Improve Your Technical Analysis Skills

Technical analysis can sometimes be seen as a simpler approach to forex trading than fundamental analysis.

But, to be honest, it does come with a bit of a learning curve.

Many forex traders who are just starting out find it difficult to understand technical analysis. And it takes a lot of practice to get familiar with the charts.

Even advanced forex traders with some experience still find technical analysis difficult.

But as with most things, the only solution is to practice, practice and practice some more.

To make the learning curve a little easier, here are five ways to improve your technical analysis and forex trading skills.

1. Find out what works and stick with it

Some forex traders jump from one method to another in search of the perfect trading system or approach to technical analysis.

If you want to get good at technical analysis, you need to find a method that works for you and stick with it until you know how it works inside and out. That way, you can automatically identify the areas where you can improve and adjust your strategy accordingly.

2. Multiple time frames or just a single time frame?

There can be endless debate about the merits of using multiple time frames in technical analysis. Some forex traders swear by it, while others are content with technical analysis on a single time frame.

What few realize is that switching from one time frame to another means that you can discover something that you would otherwise miss.

Remember, while this is helpful, it by no means gives you the coveted edge in the markets that we all strive for. The key is to be clear about whether the time frame(s) you are using complement the technical analysis methods you are using.

3. Back to basics

You may be using price action techniques, or perhaps you are fond of forex indicators. Regardless of which methods you use, it is always helpful to take a closer look at the techniques you are using.

Some technical analysis methods go back decades. For example, the Elliott Wave method and Andrew’s Pitchfork method have been around for ages. Using such methods in technical analysis will help you understand how these concepts came to be and why.

You will be surprised how much the technical analysis methods you use today have changed over the years.

It can be a nice walk down memory lane, but you may also pick up a trick or two. This will undoubtedly help you gain more confidence in technical analysis.

4. Learn which markets you should work on

Whether you are trading forex, stock CFDs or commodity CFDs, some methods of technical analysis are only suitable for a particular market. Therefore, it makes sense that you first understand the markets for which your technical analysis methods were originally developed.

For example, simple indicators such as the Advance/Decline or VIX indicators are primarily suited for the stock markets.

Would it therefore make sense to use such indicators in the foreign exchange markets? Obviously not! Likewise, it is always helpful to stop and take a step back to understand for which markets the methods of technical analysis are designed.

5. Read & Learn

For many forex traders, learning technical analysis ends with a method they are familiar with. But it’s something that evolves every day. The only way to improve your technical analysis methods is to make sure you are up to date.

This might mean subscribing to technical trading journals or even buying some technical analysis books. My personal recommendation would be the book by John J. Murphy. It is a great introduction to research and gives a good insight into the different methods of technical analysis!

How to Become a Crypto Trader

As a traditional stock or forex trader, or as a new trader, you may feel left out of the thriving topic of trading cryptocurrency CFDs. While cryptocurrencies are becoming a major topic in the financial world, now is a good time to set the necessary steps on how to become a crypto trader – and a successful one at that.

If you already have experience trading the markets, regardless of what instruments they are, you are already one step ahead. Many of the standard trading guidelines apply, but given the huge volatility and associated risk involved in crypto CFD trading, you need to align your trading strategy and risk management accordingly.

What is a crypto trader?

From a basic point of view, the definition of “What is a crypto trader?” is quite simple: a crypto trader has the ultimate goal of profiting from short-term changes in cryptocurrency market prices.

A crypto trader can focus on just one coin and one pairing, like the infamous bitcoin pairings – BTCUSD (or BTCEUR). Or he can focus on several important coins and thus pairings, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum paired with either USD or EUR.

You may have heard the term ‘alts’, which stands for alternative cryptocurrencies and is usually considered smaller, which is also reflected in the market capitalization.

It is important to give a brief overview of the two scenarios you need to consider when investigating how to become a crypto trader:

Option 1: Buying and selling cryptocurrencies on the exchange

It is quite a viable option to buy the cryptocurrency of your choice directly from a crypto exchange, which means that you actually own the underlying asset of the cryptocurrency.

This option certainly has advantages, however, these advantages are more relevant if you want to hold the cryptocurrency for the long term – not for short-term trading.

Buying and storing cryptocurrencies directly on an exchange can be risky, as these exchanges can be hacked, are often (not always) unregulated, and there are fees associated with both buying and selling – fees for the exchange.

This option requires the trader to raise the full value of the position and then store the cryptocurrency in a secure wallet until they are ready to sell it at a profit or loss (it is never recommended to store cryptocurrencies directly on the exchange – another reason why this option is suitable for a long-term strategy).

Option 2: Trade crypto CFDs

Your second option is to trade cryptocurrency CFDs with a regulated broker – this option is more ideal if your strategy is short-term (which is the only viable option for trading in the first place).

This type of crypto CFD traders can use leverage, which means that they only need to make a small deposit equal to the full value of the position. You can learn more about the benefits and risks of leverage in the article ‘What is leverage in trading?’.

Crypto CFD traders also have the advantage of being able to ‘short” or ‘sell” cryptocurrency CFDs, which means that they can also profit from a falling market. Considering the upward and downward trends in the Bitcoin to US Dollar chart above, using CFDs could prove to be a successful strategy.

Is crypto trading profitable?

Trading cryptocurrency CFDs (like all trading instruments) carries some risk given the high volatility that is constant in this market sector.

However, if you have developed a well-thought-out trading strategy, trading cryptocurrency CFDs can be very profitable. As the saying goes, high risk can justify high reward.

The statistics speak for themselves: so far in 2021, Bitcoin has outperformed every other asset on the market, making it the best performing asset in 2021.

How much do crypto traders earn?

Of course, it’s difficult to speculate exactly how much full-time or part-time crypto traders make in profit.

Many individuals who trade crypto CFDs do so in order to grow their portfolio and reinvest the profit into their next moves. This means that many crypto traders CFD do not do crypto trading as their actual job.

However, there is certainly a growing trend of people, especially millennials, quitting their jobs to trade cryptocurrencies.

The basics of how to become a crypto trader

Success as a crypto trader means different things to each individual trader. For some, it could mean making a profit on a live account trading the 30-minute chart. For others, it could mean making a profit shorting cryptocurrency CFDs.

However, at the end of the day, it is all about making a profit on the capital invested.

  • Choose the right broker
  • To have the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency CFDs, you first
  • need a broker to handle the trades.

Choosing the ‘right’ broker can be challenging because there are many options and they all want your business. Above all, make sure the broker is regulated, ideally by multiple jurisdictions. Safety and security are of great importance, which is ensured by the regulatory bodies

Using Currency Correlation in Forex Trading

Understanding the price relationships between different currency pairs will give you a deeper insight into how to develop high probability forex trading strategies. Knowing the currency relationships can help reduce risk, improve hedging, and diversify trading instruments. In this article, we will introduce you to forex trading with intermarket correlations.

Importance of currency pair correlation in forex trading

Correlation is a statistical measure of the relationship between two trading values. Currency correlation indicates the extent to which two currency pairs have moved in the same, opposite or completely random direction within a given time period.

Analyzing the relationships between two assets using past statistical data has predictive value. By using the correlation coefficient, we can understand the relationship between two assets and assist in risk management. The coefficient is measured in decimal form from -1 to +1.

A correlation of +1 means that two currency pairs move in the same direction 100% of the time. This is a perfect positive correlation. The correlation between EUR/USD and GBP/USD is a good example: If EUR/USD is moving up, GBP/USD will also move in the same direction.

A correlation of -1 means that two currency pairs will move in the opposite direction 100% of the time. EUR/USD and USD/CHF have a perfect negative correlation, which means that when EUR/USD moves up, USD/CHF goes down.

A zero correlation is when the relationship between the currency pairs is completely random, i.e. they have no connection with each other.
Naturally, the stronger a positive or negative correlation is, the higher the predictive value of the analysis. Longer time frames used for technical analysis show more precise information than relationships over one minute, which have little value. Monthly and annual data generally provide the most reliable insights.

Effects of currency correlations on foreign exchange trading

  • They can form a basis for a forex trading strategy with statistically high probability forex trading.
  • They can illustrate the amount of risk you are exposed to in your forex trading account. For example, if you have bought several currency pairs with a strong positive correlation, then you are exposed to a higher directional risk.
  • You can avoid positions that cancel each other out. EUR/USD and USD/CHF have a strong negative correlation. If you have a directional bias, you can counter the movements of the two pairs by buying EUR/USD and USD/CHF.
  • Understanding the correlations will allow you to hedge or diversify your exposure to the forex market.

If you have a bias towards a particular currency, you can spread your risk by using two highly positively correlated pairs to diversify.
If you want to hedge a position (hold with little risk of loss), you can take a position in a negatively correlated pair. If you initiate a ‘long buy’ on EUR/USD and the price moves in an unfavorable direction, you can then hedge your position by buying a currency pair that has a negative correlation to EUR/USD, e.g. USD/CHF.

Forex trading strategies based on correlation

  • When two pairs are highly correlated, one can serve as a leading indicator of the price movement of the other. If you observe a strong movement in one of the two positively correlated pairs, you can predict a likely movement in the other pair.
  • Correlation, in conjunction with other forex indicators, can be an even more powerful forex tool for analysis. For example, if a pair breaks above or below a significant technical support or resistance level, the closely positively correlated pair has a high probability of the following risk.
  • If you are watching two negatively correlated currency pairs and there is a significant upside price reversal in one pair, you can expect a potential downside reversal in the other pair. This is a price reversal.
  • Wait for an abnormal divergence between two highly correlated currency pairs and buy one and sell the other, expecting their price movements to converge again. This is a non-directional arbitrage that exploits currency correlations.

Currency correlations change in the foreign exchange market

Be aware that currency correlations are constantly changing over time due to various economic and political factors. These often include different monetary policies, commodity prices, changes in central bank policies, and more. Given the fact that strong correlations can change over time, it becomes clear how important it is to stay current with changing currency relationships.

Increase Success Ratio by these Trading Tools in forex trading

Brokers play a vital role and make a life by far for traders and investors. Due to brokers only, smooth transactions in the world’s largest financial market are possible. All transactions require a middle man and it is the broker who helps to execute each trade.  The trader always focuses on reaping the profits with their trading skills and with the support material or trading tools available by brokers.

Various brokers give support to their traders in their own way such as Xtreamforex. The world’s most trusted ECN broker Xtreamforex has been serving since 2015. It commits to give the best services to their users. It provides various trading tools which help in increasing the confidence of traders.

Trading Tools to increase knowledge and profit ratio

Are you looking for a high probability of profit on trades? Maybe over the past year, you’ve managed to increase your profit ratio by using external support but do you know that it is easy for you to enhance your knowledge and profit ratio by using the trading tools of Xtreamforex?

In this article, you will learn about the different types of trading tools and the best uses of each.

Types of Trading Tools available for you

Trading tools are the resources that can be used by any type of trader in their decision-making. Following are the types of trading tools that is available for your benefit:

  • Daily Support & Resistance data
  • Daily Market News and Forecast data
  • Weekly Outlook Videos
  • XF Knowledge & Trading Educational Videos
  • Position Size Calculator
  • Economic Calendar
  • Trading Articles
  • Xtream Tutorial Guide
  • Trading Glossary
  • Free Learning Webinar
  1. Daily Support & Resistance data: Support and resistance are two foundation concepts in technical analysis. It helps the trader to take the decisions and in the practical way to read the price charts. When a downtrend is expected to pause due to a concentration of demand, support occurs. Whereas, when an uptrend is expected to pause temporarily due to a concentration of supply, resistance occurs. The trader can use it to study past prices and forecast future market movements. The daily data of support and resistance is available for traders to take the advantage.
  2. Daily Market News and Forecast data: As we all know that the market news and market forecast plays a vital role in forex trading. The forex trader uses this tool every day in making their trading decisions. Having insight in current data is an advantage to traders. But projections of the future help traders to make adjustments to their trading strategy. It also helps to alter current trades in order to change their outcome. Once you start trading at Xtreamforex, you get this daily market news and market forecast daily on your phone and email which gives you an extra edge to execute your trades with right information.
  3. Weekly Outlook Videos:  “Dollar can rise or Crude Oil growth may affect in future due to the lower economic growth of the United States”, this line is informative and will be helpful to take the decisions in trading, right ? Yes, the outlook to the going changes in the market gives an extra edge to the traders to plan their strategy of trading accordingly. On the YouTube channel of Xtreamforex, as a trader you can watch weekly outlook videos which aids in your better decision making.
  4. XF Knowledge & Trading Educational Videos: It is really a challenge for novice traders to get the right education in the beginning of their learning. In the era of the internet; tons of free forex education material is available. But they are somewhat more subjective than practical expectations. Xtreamforex takes care of both the aspects. It provides you the best and easiest way of learning by offering educational videos on their official YouTube channel.  You can access the videos on your phone and your tab.
  5. Position Size Calculator: On the website, under the education tab you can find the trading tool option. On clicking on it you will see the position size calculator which helps the traders to manage risk and to avoid blowing out your account on a single trade. With a few simple inputs, the position size calculator will help you find the approximate amount of currency units to buy or sell to control your maximum risk per position.
  6. Economic Calendar: For every type of traders, this is their first choice when it comes to making trading strategy. They spend a few minutes daily to go through the economic calendar. The economic calendar makes the traders aware of the important dates of events or releases that may affect the economic situation of the market. The significant events or releases drive the price growth in the market. You can access the economic calendar through visiting Xtreamforex website.
  7. Trading Articles: The trading is an ongoing learning process and trading articles can help the traders to enhance their knowledge. On the Xtreamforex website, you can find various trading articles. It enhances your knowledge and gives you an opportunity to read and understand about the various important topics & aspects of the trading. From risk management to zero spread and from strategy to facts or psychology of trading you can have access to such types of articles on the website.
  8. Xtream Tutorial Guide: If you are new to trading or Xtreamforex, you have not to worry at all. Xtream Tutorial Guide helps you to know the right way to start your trading journey. You find the Xtream video tutorials, you will learn how to open an account, how to make deposits and withdrawals, and many more. All Forex traders must understand basic concepts to use the Xtreamforex dashboard that allows them to trade. Understanding these few videos will help all traders in their trading career.
  9. Trading Glossary: Xtreamforex gives you the original online Forex Glossary made specifically For the Forex traders. Understanding Forex Trading Vocabulary is crucial to learn how to trade currencies and follow the Largest Financial Markets. It categorizes the trading terms according to alphabets that you will need to know about Forex Trading. Forex Glossary made for the traders to help them learn popular words, Phrases, definitions, and terms.
  10. Free Learning Webinars: This is the most favorite tool of the traders. As a trader you can boost up your trading experience with industry tips and knowledge. Experienced forex experts share their knowledge for free by weekly or monthly webinars. Every Live Webinar is followed by a Q&A session that allows you to raise your question regarding the session and helps you to take the right decision. So, you can also take the advantage of this tool to reap more profits from forex trading.