In our previous article, we probed into the essentials of forex trading, focusing on how major currency pairs such as EUR/USD and USD/JPY influence the market. Today, we’ll look remaining currency pairs like minor currency pairs, Exotic currency pairs . we’ll examining their significance and influence on global trading patterns.
At the moment, you are curious to know the other currency pairs for your trading practices. So, Let’s begin with a detailed discussion with Assh.
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat is Liquidity in Forex?
Liquidity refers to the level of activity in a financial market.
In forex, it’s based on the number of active traders and the volume of trades in a specific currency pair.
More frequently traded pairs, like EUR/USD, have higher liquidity compared to less traded pairs like AUD/USD.
Major Cross-Currency Pairs/Minor Currency Pairs
Cross-currency pairs, or simply “crosses,” include any two major currencies except the U.S. dollar.
Major crosses are also known as minors and, while not as frequently trading as the majors, they still offer ample trading opportunities in forex. The most actively traded crosses involve the euro (EUR), Japanese yen (JPY), and British pound (GBP).
There some Minor Currency Pairs with major three non-USD currencies
Euro Crosses Currency Pairs
Countries | Currency Pairs | FX Geek Speak |
Eurozone/Switzerland | EUR/CHF | “euro swissy” |
Eurozone/United Kingdom | EUR/GBP | “euro pound” |
Eurozone/Canada | EUR/CAD | “euro loonie” |
Eurozone/Australia | EUR/AUD | “euro aussie” |
Eurozone/Sweden | EUR/SEK | “euro stockie” |
Eurozone/Norway | EUR/NOK | “euro nockie” |
Eurozone/New Zealand | EUR/NZD | “euro kiwi” |
The EUR/CHF can be impacted by geopolitical stability in Europe.
The EUR/NZD is often driven by agricultural export performance from New Zealand.
The EUR/GBP pair often reflects economic sentiment between the Eurozone and the UK.
The EUR/AUD tends to be affected by economic data from both the Eurozone and Australia.
Keep in Mind
Yen Crosses Currency Pairs
Countries | Currency Pairs | FX Geek Speak |
Eurozone/Japan | EUR/JPY | “euro yen”/ “yuppy” |
United Kingdom/Japan | GBP/JPY | “pound yen”/ “guppy” |
Australia/Japan | AUD/JPY | “aussie yen” |
Canada/Japan | CAD/JPY | “loonie yen” |
Switzerland/Japan | CHF/JPY | “swissy yen” |
New Zealand/Japan | NZD/JPY | “kiwi yen” |
What did you think about Yen Cross?
The CAD/JPY pair is influence by crude oil prices, a key export of Canada.
Generally, the GBP/JPY pair is know for its volatility and wide trading ranges.
AUD/JPY is influence by commodity prices and risk sentiment in global markets.
The NZD/JPY pair is sensitive to changes in dairy prices, a major export of New Zealand.
Pound Crosses Currency Pairs
Countries | Currency Pairs | FX Geek Speak |
United Kingdom/Australia | GBP/AUD | “pound aussie” |
United Kingdom/Canada | GBP/CAD | “pound loonie” |
United Kingdom/Switzerland | GBP/CHF | “pound swissy” |
United Kingdom/New Zealand | GBP/NZD | “pound kiwi” |
Did you know that, there are several other currency cross pairs that also trading in forex?
So, Let’s start to find the answer with Assh.
Other Crosses Currency Pairs
Countries | Currency Pairs | FX Geek Speak |
Australia/Canada | AUD/CAD | “aussie loonie” |
Australia/Switzerland | AUD/CHF | “aussie swissy” |
Australia/New Zealand | AUD/NZD | “aussie kiwi” |
Canada/Switzerland | CAD/CHF | “loonie swissy” |
New Zealand/Switzerland | NZD/CHF | “kiwi swissy” |
New Zealand/Canada | NZD/CAD | “kiwi loonie” |
Exotic Currency Pairs
Exotic currency pairs consist of one major currency and one from an emerging market.
These pairs consist of one major currency and one currency from an emerging or smaller economy, such as the USD/TRY (U.S. Dollar/Turkish Lira) or EUR/SEK (Euro/Swedish Krona).
In short, these pairs are less liquid and more sensitive to economic and geopolitical events, leading to higher transaction costs and more volatility. There are some examples include:
Countries | Currency Pairs | FX Geek Speak |
United States/Brazil | USD/BRL | “dollar real” |
United States/Saudi Arabia | USD/SAR | “dollar riyal” |
United States/Singapore | USD/SGD | “dollar sing” |
United States/South Africa | USD/ZAR | “dollar rand” |
United States/Thailand | USD/THB | “dollar baht” |
United States/Mexico | USD/MXN | “dollar mex” |
United States/Russia | USD/RUB | “dollar ruble” or “Barney” |
United States/Poland | USD/PLN | “dollar zloty” |
United States/Chile | USD/CLP | – |
United States/Hong Kong | USD/HKD | – |
This makes them both challenging and potentially rewarding for traders who are willing to explore the diverse economic landscapes and geopolitical factors that influence these currencies.
Aside from the three main categories of currency pairs, there are additional “groups” of currencies that are commonly referenced in the FX world and should be on your radar.
The interesting points about Exotic Currency Pairs:
Higher Volatility: Exotic pairs often experience larger price swings, offering potential for higher profits.
Lower Liquidity: These pairs are less traded, which can lead to wider spreads and more trading costs.
Economic Diversity: Exotic pairs provide exposure to emerging markets and their unique economic factors.
Geopolitical Sensitivity: Political events and stability significantly impact the value of exotic currencies.
Commodity Influence: Many exotic currencies are tied to commodity prices, adding another layer of market analysis.
Cultural Insight: Trading exotic pairs can offer a deeper understanding of global cultures and economies.
Risk and Reward: The higher risk associated with exotic pairs can lead to substantial rewards for informed traders.
Other Currency Groups
G10 Currencies
The G10 currencies are the most heavily trading currency at global level and include:
Currency Code | Country | Currency Name |
USD | United States | dollar |
EUR | European Union | euro |
GBP | United Kingdom | pound |
JPY | Japan | yen |
AUD | Australia | dollar |
NZD | New Zealand | dollar |
CAD | Canada | dollar |
CHF | Switzerland | franc |
NOK | Norway | krone |
SEK | Sweden | krona |
DKK | Denmark | krone |
The G10 currencies are heavily influenced by key economic indicators such as GDP, inflation, and employment rates.
The central banks of G10 countries, like the Federal Reserve (USD), European Central Bank (EUR), and Bank of Japan (JPY), play a crucial role in setting monetary policy and interest rates.
G10 currencies often form the major currency pairs and are widely traded in forex market, such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY.
Due to their economic significance, G10 currencies react strongly to global events, financial news, and geopolitical developments.
The Scandies
Scandinavian currencies, known as the “Scandies,” include:
DKK (Denmark) – krone
SEK (Sweden) – krona
NOK (Norway) – krone
The “Scandies” refer to the Scandinavian currencies, including the Swedish Krona (SEK), Norwegian Krone (NOK), and Danish Krone (DKK). So, Let’s take some quick facts about it:
Firstly, these currencies represent some of the most stable and prosperous economies in Europe.
Secondly, the NOK is heavily influenced by oil prices, given Norway’s significant oil exports.
Thirdly, the Swedish and Danish central banks are known for their proactive monetary policies.
CEE Currencies
You know about the CEE?
So, let’s take a brief overview of CEE (Central and Eastern European) currencies.
The CEE currencies encompass the currencies of countries in Central and Eastern Europe, such as the Polish Zloty (PLN), Hungarian Forint (HUF), and Czech Koruna (CZK). Explore some key points:
These currencies have benefited from economic reforms and integration with the European Union.
CEE currencies can be more volatile compared to major currencies, influenced by regional political and economic developments. Specifically, high levels of foreign direct investment in CEE countries impact their currency strength and stability.
Commonly trading CEE currency pairs include EUR/PLN, EUR/HUF, and EUR/CZK.
Central and Eastern European currencies include:
Currency Code | Country | Currency Name |
HUF | Hungary | forint |
CZK | Czech Republic | koruna |
PLN | Poland | zloty |
RON | Romania | leu |
BRIICS
BRIICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia, China, and South Africa. These countries are considered significant emerging market economies. some fascinating highlights about BRIICS currencies:
Firstly, BRIICS countries are known for their rapid economic growth and increasing influence in the global economy.
Secondly, each country has a unique economic profile, from China’s manufacturing powerhouse to Brazil’s agricultural and mineral wealth.
Thirdly, BRIICS currencies are influenced by commodity prices, such as oil for Russia and gold for South Africa.
Many BRIICS currencies are affected by their trade relationships with major economies like the US and the EU.
Commonly traded BRIICS currency pairs include USD/BRL, USD/RUB, USD/INR, USD/IDR, USD/CNY, and USD/ZAR.
Currency Code | Country | Currency Name |
BRL | Brazil | real |
RUB | Russia | ruble |
INR | India | rupee |
IDR | Indonesia | rupiah |
CNY | China | yuan |
ZAR | South Africa | rand |
That was a comprehensive overview of currencies, that is significantly enhancing your FX knowledge.
Let’s summarize what you’ve learned
By understanding the different types of currency pairs, the nature of exchange rates, and the specific characteristics of major, minor, and exotic pairs, traders can better navigate the forex market.
Forex trading offers a dynamic and complex market with numerous opportunities. Whether trading major currency pairs with high liquidity or exotic pairs with higher volatility, knowledge is key to making informed trading decisions.