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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about FX and our platform.
What are FX options?

Think of FX options like buying a special ticket that lets you buy or sell foreign money at a future date, but without forcing you to do so if you don't want to.

Here's a simpler breakdown:

They are like agreements that give you the choice (but not the need) to trade currencies at a set price in the future.

There are two main kinds:

  • Call Option: This is like having a ticket that allows you to buy foreign currency at a certain price.
  • Put Option: This is like having a ticket that allows you to sell foreign currency at a certain price.

Key terms:

  • Strike Price: This is the agreed price at which you can buy or sell the currency. It's like the price on your ticket.
  • Expiration Date: This is the last day you can decide to use your ticket. After this day, the ticket can't be used.
  • Premium: This is the price you pay to get the option ticket. It's like buying an insurance policy; you pay a small amount now to have the choice later.

People use FX options for two main reasons:

  • To protect from price changes: Businesses use them to make sure they can get a good deal on currencies in the future, which helps them plan their costs better.
  • To try to make money from price changes: Traders buy options hoping the currency prices will move in a way that could make them money. If things don't go as hoped, they only lose the small price paid for the option, not the full amount of the currency trade.

So, FX options give you the flexibility to act on currency price changes in the future, without being stuck with a decision today.

What are forward contracts?

Forward contracts are agreements to buy or sell a certain amount of a foreign currency at a predetermined price on a specific date in the future.

Unlike spot transactions, which are completed almost immediately, forward contracts are used to lock in an exchange rate for a transaction that will occur at a later date. This can be anywhere from a few days to months or even years into the future.

These contracts are particularly useful for businesses and investors who want to protect themselves against fluctuations in currency exchange rates. For example, if a UK-based company knows it will have to pay a supplier in the US in dollars six months from now, it can enter into a forward contract to buy dollars at a fixed rate today. This way, the company knows exactly how much it will pay in the future, regardless of what happens in the market between now and then.

Forward contracts are custom agreements between two parties and are not traded on public exchanges, making them a form of over-the-counter (OTC) derivative. They can be tailored to suit the specific needs of the parties involved, including the amount of currency, the exchange rate, and the settlement date.

What is a spot rate?

The spot rate refers to the current market price at which a currency can be bought or sold for.

The spot rate is determined by the supply and demand dynamics in the foreign exchange market and is influenced by various factors, including economic indicators, market sentiment, political events, and central bank policies.

Traders and investors use the spot rate to exchange currencies for immediate transactions. However, it's also a reference point for other types of foreign exchange products, such as forward contracts, which allow trading at prices based on the spot rate, adjusted for the interest rate differential between the two currencies over the period until delivery.

In summary, the spot rate in FX is the current price for immediate exchanges of currencies, reflecting the latest market conditions and expectations.

What is the difference between forward contracts and options?

Imagine you're planning a holiday in another country and you need to exchange your money into the local currency. The exchange rate keeps changing, which can be a problem if it becomes more expensive for you by the time you go.

Forward Contracts are like booking your currency exchange rate in advance. You agree with a currency seller to exchange a specific amount of money at a certain rate on a future date. No matter if the actual rate goes up or down, you'll exchange your money at this pre-agreed rate. It's like making a reservation with a guarantee that you won't pay more if the prices go up.

FX Options are a bit different. Instead of locking in a rate, you pay for the option (or choice) to exchange your money at a certain rate in the future, but you're not obligated to do it. If the exchange rate moves in your favor, you can use your option to exchange money at the better rate. If it doesn't, you can ignore the option and just lose what you paid for it. It's like paying a small fee to hold a good deal, but you can back out if you find something better.

The main difference between the two is about commitment. With a forward contract, you are committed to exchanging money at the set rate. With an option, you have the choice to do it or not, depending on what's more favorable for you.

What are spreads?

The "spread" refers specifically to the difference between the bid price and the ask price for a currency pair.

  • Bid Price: The price at which you can sell a currency. It represents the highest price that buyers in the market are willing to pay for a currency pair.
  • Ask Price (or Offer Price): The price at which you can buy a currency. It represents the lowest price that sellers in the market are willing to accept.

For instance, if the EUR/USD currency pair is quoted with a bid price of 1.1050 and an ask price of 1.1052, the spread is 2 pips (a pip is a standard unit of movement in forex trading). The spread is essentially the broker's commission for executing the trade, albeit indirectly. Brokers with tighter (narrower) spreads are generally providing more cost-effective trading conditions, as the cost to enter and exit trades is lower.

The size of the spread in FX trading can be influenced by several factors:

  • Liquidity: More liquid currency pairs (like major pairs including the USD, EUR, and JPY) tend to have tighter spreads because of the high volume of trading.
  • Market Volatility: During periods of high volatility, spreads can widen as the certainty of the market price becomes less predictable.
  • Broker Type: Different brokers offer different spreads based on their business models. For example, ECN (Electronic Communication Network) brokers typically offer tighter spreads but may charge a commission on trades.

Understanding spreads is crucial for FX traders, as entering and exiting trades with a lower cost can significantly impact profitability, especially for high-frequency traders or those who trade with large volumes.

What is the interbank rate?

The interbank rate, also known as the interbank exchange rate, is the rate at which banks exchange currencies with each other. This rate is typically reserved for large transactions, often in the millions of dollars, between financial institutions rather than for the public. The interbank rate is considered the most competitive exchange rate available in the foreign exchange market and serves as a benchmark for the pricing of currency exchange rates offered to customers and smaller financial institutions.

There are several key points about the interbank rate:

  1. Benchmark Rate: It's used as a benchmark for setting the exchange rates that banks offer to their clients, including businesses and individuals. The rates offered to customers are usually less favorable than the interbank rate and include a markup for the bank's profit and to cover operational costs.
  2. Influencing Factors: The interbank rate is influenced by various factors, including supply and demand dynamics in the foreign exchange market, central bank policies, economic indicators, and market sentiment.
  3. Market Operations: The rate is determined through the trading activities of banks and financial institutions in the global foreign exchange market, which operates 24/5, starting from Sunday evening until Friday evening (U.S. time).
  4. Fluctuations: The interbank rate can fluctuate throughout the day based on trading activities, geopolitical events, and changes in market conditions.
  5. Transparency and Accessibility: While the interbank rate is widely reported and can be found through financial news services, actual transactions at these rates are generally restricted to financial institutions and large corporations.

For individuals and smaller businesses looking to exchange currency, understanding the interbank rate can provide insight into the potential markup being applied by their bank or currency exchange provider, helping them to seek the most cost-effective option.