The Six Major Currencies in Forex

Forex trading is the world’s largest and most liquid market, with trillions of dollars traded daily by participants across the globe. To navigate the market—also called foreign exchange or currency trading—it’s essential to understand the major currencies that dominate trading activity. Here’s an overview of six prominent currencies, their unique features, and what drives their value.

Key Takeaways

• Forex trading is the largest, most liquid financial market globally.
• The U.S. dollar, euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Australian dollar, and Canadian dollar are among the most traded currencies in forex.
• The U.S. dollar dominates forex as a reserve currency and is central to most currency pairs.
• The Japanese yen is widely traded due to its role in the carry trade, especially in the Asian market.

1. The U.S. Dollar (USD)

Nicknamed the greenback, the U.S. dollar is the most traded currency in the world and plays a vital role in forex trading. It is a part of nearly every major currency pair and acts as a global reserve currency, held by central banks and institutional investors worldwide.

Key Traits of the U.S. Dollar:

• It is often used as an intermediary currency in triangular transactions.
• Many nations, like Panama and Ecuador, adopt it as an official currency through dollarization.
• Some countries peg their currencies to the U.S. dollar to stabilize exchange rates (e.g., China’s yuan).
• The dollar serves as the standard currency for most commodities, such as crude oil and gold, making it highly sensitive to inflation and U.S. interest rates.

2. The Euro (EUR)

The euro, introduced in 1999 and circulated as cash in 2002, is the second most traded currency globally. As the official currency of the eurozone, it represents the economic bloc comprising most EU countries.

Key Traits of the Euro:

• Acts as the second-largest reserve currency.
• Pegged by several countries in Europe and Africa to stabilize their exchange rates.
• Often used as a measure of the eurozone’s health, with political and economic events influencing its value.
• Frequently traded based on speculation about the eurozone’s overall economic performance.

The euro is highly liquid and often impacted by developments in its member nations, such as Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal, which have faced significant financial challenges.

3. The Japanese Yen (JPY)

The Japanese yen is the most traded Asian currency and a reflection of Japan’s manufacturing-driven economy. It serves as a proxy for the Pan-Pacific economy, influencing countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.

Key Traits of the Japanese Yen:

• Central to the carry trade, where investors borrow yen at low interest rates and invest in higher-yielding currencies.
• Its value is influenced by Japan’s export-driven economy and its relationship to global interest rates.
• The yen often faces downward pressure due to the persistent borrowing in carry trades.

The yen’s value is tied to the performance of heavily traded currencies such as the U.S. dollar and euro, with international interest rates playing a pivotal role.

4. The British Pound (GBP)

Known as the pound sterling, the British pound is the fourth most traded currency in forex markets. Despite being part of the European Union until Brexit, the U.K. never adopted the euro, maintaining the pound as its national currency.

Key Traits of the British Pound:

• A measure of the U.K.’s economic strength and political stability.
• Maintains high value relative to other currencies, making it an important benchmark.
• Functions as a reserve currency, with significant liquidity in forex markets.

The pound’s independence from the euro provides traders with a pure-play currency for speculating on the U.K.’s economy.

5. The Australian Dollar (AUD)

The Australian dollar, or Aussie, is a major commodity currency that derives much of its value from the price of Australia’s exports, such as iron ore, coal, and gold.

Key Traits of the Australian Dollar:

• Highly influenced by global commodity price shifts.
• A significant player in the Asia-Pacific region.
• The AUD-USD pair accounts for 6.37% of global forex volume, surpassing some other major currency pairings.

As a leading exporter of raw materials, the Australian dollar is closely tied to global demand for commodities.

6. The Canadian Dollar (CAD)

The Canadian dollar, often referred to as the loonie, is another major commodity currency, heavily influenced by crude oil and mineral prices.

Key Traits of the Canadian Dollar:

• Moves in tandem with commodities markets, particularly oil.
• Traders use the CAD for speculating on commodity movements or hedging against volatility in commodities.
• Its economy’s close ties to the U.S. mean the loonie often mirrors movements in the U.S. dollar.

The Bottom Line

Each currency in the forex market has unique characteristics and factors influencing its value and movements. Understanding these traits is crucial for making informed trading decisions. Whether it’s the U.S. dollar’s global dominance, the euro’s significance in the eurozone, or the yen’s role in carry trades, these currencies form the backbone of the forex market and are key for any trader to watch.