Foreign Exchange: Know What Is Forex & Its Importance | HDFC Bank (2024)

Foreign exchange refers to exchanging the currency of one country for another at prevailing exchange rates

Let us take a close look at the meaning of foreign exchange. Different countries have different currencies. Foreign exchange converts the currency of one country into another.

Now, let’s find an answer to what is forex? Foreign exchange is also called forex in short.

We have seen what foreign exchange is. We will go through the advantages of foreign exchange. Foreign exchange is required for international trade. When India is trading with the United States (US) both INR and USD are involved. If India is importing from the United States, it needs to pay in dollars. When the US is importing from India it would need to pay in rupees. Foreign exchange is also important when a country is investing in another. If the US is investing in India, it has to invest in rupees. Such transactions create a demand for foreign exchange. This is why the foreign exchange market is important.

Forex markets: Inforeign exchangemarkets, currencies are bought and sold. In reality, foreign exchange is traded virtually 24X7. Forex is the world’s largest market. Everyday trillions of dollars of transactions are done. The foreign exchange financial market is the most liquid in the world. Traders in this market involve several institutions. The institutions could be the government, central banks and commercial banks. It would also involve institutional investors, forex agents, individuals, and other businesses.

So far, we have discussed the real economy foreign exchange. There is also a speculative foreign exchange market. Here, currencies are bought and sold based on speculation. Speculation is based on the value of one currency with respect to another. If traders believe the value of a currency will go up, it will see more investment. These investments will increase the value of the currency.

How is a currency valued?A currency of a country is valued according to supply and demand. So, it always is in a state of flux. Such kind of exchange rate is known as floating exchange rate. This is the case in a free economy.

Similarly, the value of a rupee is determined by market forces. Factors like imports and exports, interest rates and inflation affect the value of the rupee. It would also depend on political conditions, internally and internationally. Tourism is another factor which influences foreign exchange value. This is why large companies have strategies to manage currency. The idea is to protect their business from currency fluctuations.

Importance of forex when travelling abroad:While going on a trip abroad, one needs to have the currency of that country. If you are going to the United States, you need US dollars. If you are travelling to the UK, you need pounds. You can covert rupees into the given foreign currency. This service is available with banks, travel agents, and foreign exchange agents. One part of this is the exchange rates offered. They charge you a transaction fee too. It is advisable to exchange your currency at a bank or with an agent. Banks will offer you competitive rates if you are a premium customer. Foreign exchange at the airport should be the last resort as it is the most expensive.

A traveller may also useforex cards. A forex card is a prepaid instrument. You can load it with single or multiple currencies. This is a safer and a more convenient option than carrying cash.

Whether it is international trade or your summer holiday, forex plays an important role.

So, now that you know aboutforeign exchange, read more aboutwhat is a forex cardandhow to use it.

Foreign Exchange: Know What Is Forex & Its Importance | HDFC Bank (2024)

FAQs

What is the forex and why is it so important? ›

Foreign exchange markets serve an important function in society and the global economy. They allow for currency conversions, facilitating global trade (across borders), which can include investments, the exchange of goods and services, and financial transactions.

What is foreign exchange in forex? ›

Foreign exchange, also known as forex, is the conversion of one country's currency into another. The value of any particular currency is determined by market forces related to trade, investment, tourism, and geopolitical risk.

What is the importance of foreign currency? ›

Importance of Foreign Currency in the Economy

It enables countries to access global markets and expand their trade relationships with other countries. The exchange of foreign currency also affects the balance of trade and balance of payments, which are essential indicators of a country's economic health.

What is the best way to explain forex? ›

It's how individuals, businesses, central banks and governments pay for goods and services in other economies. Whenever you buy a product in another currency, or exchange cash to go on holiday, you're trading forex.

How do banks trade forex? ›

Instead of buying and selling currencies on a centralised exchange, forex is bought and sold via a network of banks. This is called an over-the-counter, or OTC market. It works because those banks act as market makers – offering a bid price to buy a particular currency pair, and a quote price to sell a forex pair.

What is the main goal of a forex trader? ›

Your forex trading goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, your goal might be to make a 10% return on investment over the next six months.

Can you make money with forex? ›

Forex trading may make you rich if you are a hedge fund with deep pockets or an unusually skilled currency trader. But for the average retail trader, rather than being an easy road to riches, forex trading can be a rocky highway to enormous losses and potential penury.

Is forex trading legit? ›

Is forex legit? Yes, the forex market can be a legitimate way to trade and invest. Forex, short for foreign exchange, is the largest financial market in the world. Average daily trading volume in the forex market can hit over $7.5 trillion, according to the latest survey by the Bank of International Settlements (BIS).

What is foreign exchange in simple terms? ›

Foreign exchange (Forex or FX) is the conversion of one currency into another at a specific rate known as the foreign exchange rate. The conversion rates for almost all currencies are constantly floating as they are driven by the market forces of supply and demand.

Which currency has the highest value? ›

1. Kuwaiti Dinar, Highest Currency in the World. Kuwaiti Dinar holds the reputation of being the strongest currency in the world. Abbreviated to KWD, Kuwaiti Dinar is commonly used in oil based transactions in Middle East.

What is an example of forex trading? ›

Forex trading example 1: buying EUR/GBP

EUR/GBP is trading at 0.84950 / 0.84960. You decide to buy €20,000 because you think the price of EUR/GBP will go up. EUR/GBP has a margin rate​ of 3.34%, which means that you only have to deposit 3.34% of the total position value as position margin.

What is foreign exchange with an example? ›

Currency pair: Every Forex transaction is an exchange of one currency for another. A currency pair quote looks like this: USD/GBP = $1.15. In this example, the U.S. dollar is the base currency, and the British pound is the quote currency. A trader who wishes to buy British pounds will pay $1.15 for each.

How do beginners explain forex? ›

Forex trading, or FX trading, involves buying and selling different currencies with the aim of making a profit. At its core, forex trading is about capturing the changing values of pairs of currencies.

Can I trade forex by myself? ›

However, anyone can trade forex if they develop their trading knowledge, build a forex trading strategy and gain experience trading the market. An IG demo account is an ideal place to start trading forex and practice your strategy without any risk to your capital.

Can I learn forex on my own? ›

Yes, you can learn forex trading on your own, and Ava Academy's free online courses provide a valuable starting point.

What is foreign exchange and an example? ›

a market in which one currency is exchanged for another currency; for example, in the market for Euros, the Euro is being bought and sold, and is being paid for using another currency, such as the yen.

What is the difference between foreign exchange and forex trading? ›

Foreign exchange (forex or FX) refers to the buying and selling of one currency for another. Forex trading, on the other hand, refers to the buying and selling of currencies on the foreign exchange market with the intent to make a profit.

Is forex trading the same as foreign exchange? ›

FX trading, also known as foreign exchange trading or forex trading is the exchange of different currencies on a decentralised global market. It's the largest and most liquid financial market in the world.

What is the difference between forex and foreign currency? ›

Currency exchange is the process of converting one currency into another Need an exchange specialist? - MFX, whilst forex trading is the market through which currencies are traded, with the aim of making a profit.

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