Trading currencies can be tricky and complicated. The interbank market has altering degrees of regulation, and forex mechanisms are not standard.
Meanwhile, each of the contributing banks makes up the market. They are also handing over offers and bids for a specific currency. On the other side, the market pricing mechanism derives from supply and demand.
Most retail investors should spend time inspecting a forex dealer. This is to find out whether it is on regulation in a country with rules and oversight.
It is also a bright idea to look for kinds of account protections that are available in case of a market catastrophe, or if a dealer becomes insolvent.
What Is Forex Trading And How Does It Work?
Forex is similarly known as foreign exchange, FX, or currency exchange trading. It is a decentralized worldwide market where all the world’s currencies trade.
Forex is the principal, most liquid financial market. The size and its scope produce unique challenges regarding market regulation.
When Can I Trade Forex?
Forex trading is 24 hours a day, five days a week. The foreign exchange markets are global and, therefore, follow a 24-hour comprehensive schedule.
Exclusive benefits of a 24-hour market:
- Respond to global trading opportunities whenever they ascend
- Trade when it’s convenient for you
- Take advantage with periods of higher volatility when markets overlap
Forex trading contains significant risk of loss, and it is not suitable for all investors.
The forex market is a 24-hour market. There tends to be a huge influx of information if you stay updated on Forex news to measure future price movements.
This makes it the excellent market for traders that use technical tools.
Forex Regulatory Authorities
The Forex and investment industry are supervised by strict regulatory control in local administration across the globe.
In each country, there are legal and public regulatory groups. These agencies set up’s activities and manage all happenings in the Forex and financial industry.
These supervisory agencies act as regulators to safeguard compliance with local legislation and to issue financial certificates to businesses that obey these regulations.
Forex regulations are in place to guarantee fair, legal, and ethical organization practices.
All investment banks, Forex brokers, and signal sellers must fulfill the rules and regulations provided by the regulatory power in their country or jurisdiction.
Among the regulators’ standards, which have to be met, Forex firms must register and license their company in the country where their movement is based.
The regulatory authorities have the right to issue licensed brokers to multiple audits, evaluations, and assessments to guarantee that they meet industry standards.
There may also be a minimum capital prerequisite where Forex brokers must have adequate funds at their disposal. It is to be able to perform and complete Forex contracts for clients and to accomplish return clients’ assets to them immediately in the case of bankruptcy.
How Do You Regulate A Market That Is Trading 24 Hours A Day, All Over The World?
There is no centralized body leading the currency trading market; instead, numerous governmental and independent organizations administer forex trading around the world.
Below are regulatory bodies for foreign exchange businesses in some of the world’s major markets.
COUNTRY | SUPERVISORY BODIES |
United States | The National Futures Association (NFA) Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) |
United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
Australia | The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) |
Japan | The Financial Services Agency (FSA) |
Canada | The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) |
Cayman Islands | Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) |
Hong Kong | The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) |
Singapore | The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) |
The global supervisory bodies control forex by setting standards that all brokers under their jurisdiction must obey.
These standards consist of registration of a licensed regulatory body which is undergoing regular audits.
They are also cooperating with specific changes of service to their clients and more. This setup helps ensure that currency trading is decent and fair for all.
The General Aim of Regulatory Authorities
The regulator retains all the private information about business owners and managers. It also aims to supervise and monitor the company, directors, and owners to avoid any illegal or suspicious business practices. This protects all those involved.
At the same time, regulatory authorities aim to maintain a firm financial market across the globe.
The regulatory authorities offer a level of protection for investors. This is for them to restrict/sanction or ban the actions and activities of Forex businesses if necessary and to defend investors.