Forex trading began in 1976 when the G7 decided to abandon the gold standard and dollar peg. The American currency no longer determined the value of other currencies, and countries no longer needed to back their money with gold. From that moment on, the value rate of any currency was determined by only two parameters: supply and demand for it on the world market. And this market itself is called Forex, which stands for foreign exchange.
Banks.
They act as so-called liquidity (or quotes) providers. Banks provide storage of currencies, all transactions, and conversion from one currency to another.
Traders.
These are active market participants. Forex traders are continually buying and selling currencies, and other market assets while profiting from the differences among the buy/sell prices.
Brokers.
Since by law traders cannot personally participate directly in trades in the marketplace, an intermediary is needed between him and the banks. Such an intermediary is, therefore, the brokers.
Because most money in the world is controlled by banks, banks constitute their own financial system. When a particular currency becomes more in demand (it is bought more), the rate for this currency in banks rises (it becomes more expensive). The trader (it could be anyone) buys this currency and sells it when it is at the peak of the price before its rate starts to fall. The trader's task is to predict the given price movement, and buy and sell at the right time. This is where having a winning Forex strategy comes in. And each trader should have his own strategy.
We Reiterate:
The trader cannot buy and sell currency from the Forex market, so he uses the services of an intermediate brokerage company. Usually, a broker is by a governmental entity responsible for governing the ethical business operations of brokers. Brokers bring the trader's transactions to the interbank market and provide the trader with quotes, trading instruments, and other opportunities. In return, brokers take a commission from the trader's transactions. This is how Forex works.
Forex for beginners is a conceptual apparatus. Several special terms are used in the foreign exchange market, denoting market participants, price movements, specific events, and certain actions or conditions. For example, there is the concept of spread. In the foreign exchange market, it refers to the difference between the buying price and the selling price.
The point is that these two prices cannot be a priori equal because the seller and the buyer have different goals. So the difference between these prices at a single instant in time is called the spread. When starting Forex from scratch, it is essential to understand what a spread is because it makes up the broker's commission as payment for services from each trader's transaction(s).
Important notice
There is the chance to reduce the size of the spread on the Forex market. We are talking about a rebate or spread compensation, which every trader can get, regardless of his experience or the results of transactions. And it's free! In this review, we will tell you about rebates, how they work, what are the benefits of rebates for all participants in the scheme, how to register and start getting a rebate, and much more.
There are other essential terms as well, such as bulls and bears. Of course, these are not representatives of fauna. They are the nicknames given to the Forex market participants who implement specific trading strategies. Bulls are traders who actively buy a particular currency (or other assets) in anticipation of a rise. Thus, they make the quotes grow. Figuratively speaking, it’s like a bull tossing the opponent up with its horns. Bears are traders who are waiting for a price decline, for example, by entering into so-called short trades. By their actions, they lower the quotes, again figuratively, like a bear pressing its opponent to the ground with its paws.
There are many such exciting points and metaphors in the conceptual apparatus of a trader, but their study does not take much time. And most importantly, there is no need to pay for the knowledge and information. There are many free Forex training programs on the internet.
It is technically easy to start trading on Forex. It is more challenging to do it in such a way as to enter with a minimum deposit (or even without a deposit), not overpay your broker, and get the return of a part of the spread. Below we give a basic matrix, according to which a novice trader will rarely make a mistake.
Complete your training.
It is a very important first point. Even before choosing a broker and making your first deposit, you need to complete at least one or two training courses, read a couple of books, and perhaps sign up for a webinar with an experienced trader. Without training, you simply cannot trade effectively. Time-use: from 1 week. It depends on the availability of your free time and desire to study. Price: 0 cents.
Select a broker.
The broker provides you with trading tools, trading software, functionality for technical and fundamental analyses. It also sets the conditions, such as the available account types, minimum deposit, leverage ceiling, offers (or does not offer) opportunities for investment. As you can see, there are a considerable number of factors that a broker determines. Besides, it is essential not to run into a Forex scammer or a financial pyramid.
Time-use: you can spend a few days on a scrupulous comparison of top brokers, or you can use the Traders Union ratings and make a decision in a few minutes. Price: 0 cents.
Open an account.
An account can be opened with a broker directly or through the Traders Union website. The second option is more profitable because this way, you will receive a refund of up to 100% of the spread and free legal support. Plus, Traders Union regularly holds contests on demo accounts with real (i.e., real money) winnings.
Time-use: Only a few minutes. Price: It depends on the broker's conditions, usually $1-$100, but there are also no-deposit options.
Start trading.
The main thing here is not to rush to make money on Forex. It is better to start with a demo account, then practice on a cent account and only then open a dollar (standard) account. We will tell you more about the account types below.
Time-use: 1-2 months. Price: per individual.
Build up momentum.
After 1-2 months of regular trading, the trader already absolutely understands how attractive the foreign exchange market is to him and how willing he is to continue to spend his time, energy, and money to become a professional Forex participant. At this stage, it is important not to stagnate but to move steadily on to larger deposits, larger bets, and higher leverages.
Time-use: Unlimited. Price: per individual.
Thus, today you might type into your search bar "Forex where to start", and after 2-3 months, you will become a seasoned trader and start making stable money on the foreign exchange market. If that's your goal, start now.
Remember the mantra of [George (aka György Schwartz)] Soros: "The best time to invest is yesterday."
Of course, the first thought that visits every novice trader is how much you can earn on Forex. A trader's earnings depend on many factors, including the Forex company (broker) through which he enters the interbank market. In general, this is a highly volatile market, currency quotes are constantly changing, and sometimes these changes are difficult to predict. But this is the job of a trader.
As for direct earnings, in addition to brokerage commissions, the trader's strategy (for example, scalping or intraday), the number of transactions that he conducts daily, the amount of his deposit, and compliance with money management rules are essential.
For example, according to the common rules, the value of one rate should not exceed 2-5% of the deposit size. A larger bet is a direct violation of basic money management rules, but this is how the Chinese trader Chen Likui managed to get 61,595% profit in 1 month!
But Rejoice is an exception. Not in terms of earnings (you can immediately name dozens of world-class traders with colossal incomes), but in terms of approach. In the vast majority of cases, the winners act according to the basic rules of money management and within the framework of standard market laws — because it is impossible to beat the market. But it is possible to make money on its instability.
Top traders like Andy Krieger, with a deposit of several million dollars, with leverage of 1:200 from ten transactions, may well receive up to 3-4 million dollars. But not the average trader, which you will become in a few months after proper training. Small(er) deposits (in the range of $100-500), of course, will reap less profit. So with ten trades a day and with leverage of no more than 1:100, you can earn up to $300.
But you need to take into account that only 15-20% of novice traders become professionals. Why does the majority fail? Because people do not want to spend the time learning, choosing a reliable broker, and scrupulously thinking over their strategies. They want everything at once.
However, only those who understand that there is no easy money and are ready to learn Forex from the ground up will inevitably achieve sustained growth and success.
After you have completed the training, are ready to start a Forex session, ready to apply your first strategy, then place your first bet. But first, you need to select a broker that, according to its terms, will be the most convenient for you. Below we offer a table with top brokers and their trading conditions for your consideration.
Note:
These are not all the brokers that Traders Union experts have identified as a suitable option for entering the foreign exchange market. Explore the complete list of the best Forex brokers 2023.
After having completed an intensive training course, and after choosing a broker, a future trader often understands that he is ready to start trading, but is not ready to risk his own money just yet. The desire to try to make money or learn from the real market without investment seems fantastic. Right? Right!
Currently, almost all Forex brokers offer their traders several unique opportunities that allow them to start trading without making a minimum deposit. We have already mentioned these opportunities. There are three of them: a demo account, a cent account, and a no-deposit trading account. Now we will take a closer look at each of the options available to a novice trader.
Forex demo account
These accounts are called demo accounts or just demo. The essence of the demo account is in its name: it is created to demonstrate to the trader how everything works in Forex using your broker’s trading platform. So, you enter the market through a real trading terminal and open a completely real account. You get accurate quotes and up-to-date trading instruments. For forecasts, you use real analytics, and you analyze the existing interbank market.
The nuance of the demo account is that you are trading, but not for or using real money. So your transactions never go to the interbank market: they simply rotate in a virtual sandbox on your broker’s website. Consequently, you don't draw down any profits. Likewise, the broker also does not risk anything and does not take any commissions from you.
Usually, a trader is given 1000 virtual dollars (sometimes 5000), and as soon as they run out, the demo account is closed. However, you can open a new one at any time. Also, some brokers do not have a cash limit on these accounts but limit the time (usually 30 days) before they expire.
It is ideal for learning Forex as it provides a visual understanding of the foreign exchange market and allows you to practice your first trading strategies and get to know your broker’s training terminal and trading conditions.
👍 Pros of demo accounts
• You don't need a deposit
• You work with real trading instruments and accurate quotes
• You can check any trading strategies
👎 Cons of demo accounts
• Lack of risk psychologically will not allow you to check the objectivity of the individual
• A demo account's advantages are not particularly relevant after a few days of intensive trading
Thus, a demo account is more of a training session that includes practicing the technical skills of interacting with the trading terminal, testing the basic strategy in "non-combat conditions". But its importance cannot be overestimated.
Learn more on how to open a Forex demo accountForex no-deposit account
As the name suggests, you do not need a deposit to enter the foreign exchange market using this method. Unlike a demo account, this practice is not so widespread among brokers. Still, savvy traders are increasingly finding this opportunity to open the first full-fledged account without depositing their personal funds.
What then will you trade if you don't make a deposit? Answer: the broker's money! The broker just gives the money to you sometimes as a gift and sometimes as a loan or with strings attached. So you need to read the broker’s agreement regarding no-deposit accounts carefully. Naturally, these are not colossal amounts, usually around $10. But this kind of help is more than enough to start placing bets and earning your first hundred dollars while gaining a unique practical experience along the way with “free” real funds.
The Forex no-deposit bonus is the only limitation of the money that the broker will give you upon registration. That is, you cannot withdraw the $10 (and often you cannot withdraw any profits gained from it), and they will remain on your account indefinitely (or until you lose them).
👍 Pros of no-deposit Forex
• You don't need personal funds to start trading
• You don't risk your money.
• Using the broker's bonus deposit, you earn real money, which you can subsequently withdraw
👎 Cons of no-deposit Forex
• If you lose the bonus deposit, the broker will not give you another
Technically, a Forex no-deposit account has no real drawbacks, and you can start earning professionally in the foreign exchange market without any investments at all. But if you are lucky, it still makes sense to deposit a certain amount to increase the rates and, accordingly, your income.
Learn more about Forex no-deposit bonusForex cent accounts
Unlike Forex no-deposit and demo accounts, you are required to make an investment when using a cent account, albeit in tiny monetary amounts, such as $1-10.
The idea behind a cent account is that you trade in the real market with real money, but you place your bets not in dollars, but cents. Likewise, all your profit is reduced by 100 times. But all risks are reduced by the same amount. A cent account allows you to experience the Forex market and realize what it means to risk real money, not virtual money, or the money provided by a broker. It’s a psychological thing. People trade differently when using their “own” “real” money, no matter how small the amount.
Cent traders report that they quickly develop a “need for greed”! But this is a trading trait that must be conquered and controlled for long-term growth and success. Better to learn that lesson using $10 vs $10,000.
Cent accounts allow you to more conscientiously work out real strategies, and this is the last step on the way to opening a real “dollar” account. Usually, novice traders open a demo account first, and after a couple of days or weeks, they open a cent account. Some brokers allow you to use the starting bonus on a cent account, but this is rare. A trader often deposits something in the region of $1 into a cent account and trains for a week or two. Thereafter, they migrate to a dollar (standard) account.
👍 Benefits of a cent account
• Trading in the real market with real funds
• Unique practical experience
• Minimal risk (several tens of cents for the most unsuccessful bets)
👎 Disadvantages of a cent account
• Insignificant profit
• Quickly becomes boring
A cent account is ideal for self-studying Forex. But it gets boring in a snap because the trader does not see significant profits or experience the “challenge” of risking sizeable amounts of money. Typically, a cent account is traded for no more than one to two weeks with active trading.
Novice traders do not always use all these opportunities. Some newbies, after a demo account, immediately opens a dollar account. Some beginners who first work with a cent account, believe that if there is not even a minimal risk, they will not be able to fully appreciate the market's philosophy. It is all per the individual, but the result is the same: the trader eventually opens a standard dollar account and begins his path to professional trading and stable earnings.
One question still remains: which option do you prefer: self-trading or investing?
Forex courses for beginners and training on demo and cent accounts provide an essential basis and experience for newbie traders. But it does not answer the question: Is it more profitable to trade on your own (i.e., do it yourself while assuming all the risks and mistakes), or is it better to minimize the risk by choosing investments and letting experts manage your trades?
To make the right choice, let's start with the concept of self-trading.
Independent Forex trading implies an independent analysis of the market, forecasting price movements for the selected currency pair, opening and closing orders, and setting take-profit and stop-loss points. That is, your profit is 100% dependent on you. No one helps you and you cannot shift responsibility to anyone else. Likewise, you don’t have to share income or profits with anyone (excluding the broker's commission). In short, the proverbial buck stops (and starts) with you, Mr. Boss.
👍 Pros of self-trading
• You don't depend on anyone
• You don't share profits with anyone
• No restrictions (only your broker's conditions)
• You’re getting more experienced over time and, as a result, income grows.
👎 Cons of self-trading
• In the initial stages, in the absence of experience, the risk of losing the deposit is high
In contrast, investments are an alternative to independent trading. Technically, investments can also be called long-term trading (a type of Forex strategy), when orders remain open for many weeks and even months. But now we will consider the traditional Forex investment methods that do not require independent market analysis by you on a constant basis:
PAMM accounts
With this investment option, a group of traders transfers part of their funds to a much more experienced trader called a PAMM account manager. The account manager makes bets on his behalf and, in addition to his funds, uses the funds invested by other traders. If the bet wins, everyone gets a percentage based on the amount deposited, and the manager takes a small commission from each bet. The “safety concept” (i.e., hedge against losses) here is that the account manager is also investing his own funds so he is more likely to exercise greater prudence and caution.
LAMM accounts
In general, everything is the same as with PAMM accounts. That is, a more professional market participant trades for you. The difference is that when investing in PAMM, the funds transferred to the manager are reserved by the system but remain digitally in your account.
In the case of LAMM, funds are not reserved, and the manager's bet is simply duplicated to your trading terminal. But the result is the same: in case of a win, everyone gets a legal profit, and the manager takes a percentage.
Copying deals (auto trading or copy trading)
In this case, you carefully select a so-called signals provider—an experienced trader who makes his bets and allows others to copy them. Depending on the broker’s conditions, full or partial copying is possible. If the copied bet wins, the signals provider again takes a small commission from your earnings.
All three investment options are popular and widely represented in the Forex market. New options are constantly emerging (like RAMM), and they all provide great potential for passive income. Independent trading also has its advantages: you gain personal experience, and your income depends only on you. Or you can use all or some of the above methods at once if the broker’s conditions do not prohibit it.
Which one to choose? How to invest? These can be million-dollar questions. Literally! Some traders find it more convenient to trade independently; while others prefer to invest, saving them time, headaches and worries. And some successfully combine these methods, complementing the profit with independent trading by investing in — and learning from — others' experience. There is no ideal option, and each trader decides for himself how it is more convenient for him to earn.
What are demo, cent, and no-deposit trading accounts?
On a demo account, you trade virtual money, on a cent you trade real money but calculated in cents up to a limit of about $10. Hence, risk and profit are minimal. A no-deposit Forex account does not require you to make a deposit using your own money because the deposit is provided by the broker (usually no more than $10).
What will suit me better: self-trading or investing?
Many professional traders combine these two methods. In reality, everything depends on your personal preference. Some traders prefer to make money independently, while others find it more convenient to invest in PAMM accounts and receive stable passive income while letting more experienced money managers carry the trading burden.