Instruments · Forex
Forex trading with execution built for speed
Majors, minors and exotics on institutional-grade pricing — one account, 24/5, no dealing-desk conflicts.
Overview
The world’s largest market, on your terms
Foreign exchange is the largest, most liquid market on earth — trillions of dollars change hands every day across more than 160 currencies. Trade forex CFDs with AQ Markets on infrastructure built for it: transparent, tight spreads, market execution with no dealing-desk intervention, and coverage that runs from the Sydney open to the New York close.
Guide
What is forex trading?
Forex trading is buying one currency while selling another to profit from changes in their exchange rate. With forex CFDs you take a position on a pair such as EUR/USD without owning either currency, and you can go long or short. Leverage magnifies losses as well as gains. Read how a CFD works first.
What moves currency prices?
Central bank rate decisions, inflation and jobs data, and political events move pairs most. A higher interest rate tends to support a currency, and weak growth tends to weigh on it. Liquidity thins around holidays and major releases, so spreads can widen. Check the economic calendar before you trade, and compare with metals and indices for the same news.
When does forex trade?
The market runs 24 hours a day from the Sydney open on Sunday evening (London time) to the New York close on Friday. Activity usually peaks when London and New York overlap. Our hours for each symbol are on the market hours page, and costs are in trading conditions.
Worked example
A forex trade, step by step
Hypothetical example: You buy 0.10 lot (10,000 units) of EUR/USD at 1.1000 and the price rises to 1.1050. That 50 pip move is worth about $50 at this size.
| Step | Hypothetical figure |
|---|---|
| Entry | 1.1000 |
| Exit | 1.1050 |
| Move | +50 pips |
| Result | About +$50, before spread and swap |
If the price fell 50 pips, you would lose about $50. The spread is paid on entry and swap is charged on positions held overnight, so the real result would be lower. Size a position with the calculators before you place it.
Why forex
Why trade forex with AQ Markets
Deep liquidity
Pricing sourced from a deep multi-provider liquidity pool Spreads are variable and can widen in fast markets.
24/5 market access
Trade from the Sydney open through the New York close — one account, every session.
Majors, minors & exotics
From EUR/USD to frontier-market crosses, trade the pairs that match your strategy.
Built for volatility
Market execution and no requotes mean your strategy meets the market as it is, not as a dealing desk prices it.
- ✓ No restrictions. No restrictions on scalping, hedging or EA use across supported platforms.
- ✓ One account. Forex, metals, indices, commodities, shares and crypto CFDs from a single account.
- ✓ Tight spreads. Spreads from 0.0 pips on majors, sourced from a deep liquidity pool.
Quick stats
Forex at a glance
Spec table
Forex instrument specifications
Sample pairs and indicative trading conditions across our forex universe. The full instrument list is available inside the platform.
| Symbol | Description | Min Spread | Swap Long | Swap Short | Contract Size | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD | Euro / US Dollar | 0.0 | -0.8 | 0.2 | 100,000 | 24/5 |
| GBPUSD | Pound / US Dollar | 0.2 | -1.1 | 0.3 | 100,000 | 24/5 |
| USDJPY | US Dollar / Yen | 0.2 | 0.4 | -1.0 | 100,000 | 24/5 |
| AUDUSD | Australian Dollar / US Dollar | 0.3 | -0.6 | 0.1 | 100,000 | 24/5 |
| USDCAD | US Dollar / Canadian Dollar | 0.4 | -0.9 | 0.2 | 100,000 | 24/5 |
| EURGBP | Euro / Pound | 0.6 | -0.3 | -0.2 | 100,000 | 24/5 |
Illustrative sample data, not live market prices.
Trading conditions
Execution built for forex
- ✓ Market execution — no dealing-desk intervention, no requotes.
- ✓ Average fill time 38ms (sample figure).
- ✓ Leverage varies by instrument and jurisdiction — see Trading Conditions (eligibility applies).
- ✓ Margin call and stop-out levels published per account type.
Platforms
Trade forex on your platform of choice
Questions
Forex questions answered
A pip is the fourth decimal place in most pairs (0.0001) and the second in yen pairs (0.01). It is the usual unit for measuring price moves and spreads.
No. A forex CFD is a contract on the price difference, so you never take delivery of the currency. Compare share CFDs and energy CFDs.
No. The market closes after the New York close on Friday and reopens on Sunday evening. Prices can gap at the open, and holding a position overnight may cost a swap charge.
Risk warning. Forex and CFD trading is leveraged and carries a high level of risk to your capital. Prices can move quickly against you, and losses can exceed your initial deposit. Please read our Risk Disclosure before trading.
Learn more
Related guides
Short explainers and tools that go with this page.