October 07, 2025
Cryptocurrencies have gone from being a niche obsession of tech geeks and libertarians to a mainstream asset class, that even your neighbour Dave brags about owning (usually right before the market tanks). From Bitcoin pizza purchases to billion-dollar funds, the digital asset rollercoaster shows no signs of slowing down.
But here’s where things get interesting: not everyone buys or trades crypto the same way. Some people use crypto exchanges, those digital marketplaces where you can swap your hard-earned dollars for Bitcoin, Ethereum, or a coin with a name that sounds like a Pokémon character. Others, however, are quietly doing something different: they’re trading crypto through their good old forex broker.
Wait, what? The same broker you use to trade EUR/USD or GBP/JPY also lets you trade Bitcoin? Yes. In fact, many forex brokers now offer crypto trading right alongside currencies, commodities, and indices. And for some traders, this feels as natural as ordering fries with your burger.
But here’s the million-dollar (or one-Bitcoin) question: why would anyone choose to trade crypto through a forex broker instead of a crypto exchange? Isn’t that like buying sushi from a petrol station? Maybe… but as it turns out, there are some pretty solid reasons people do it. Of course, there are also some major downsides, which we’ll explore later.
So, grab your digital wallet (or at least your sense of humour), because in this article we’re going to explore:
By the end, you’ll know exactly whether trading Bitcoin via your forex broker is a stroke of genius, or the financial equivalent of paying extra for bottled water when the tap’s just fine.
Before we start throwing shade at either side, let’s get clear on what we’re actually comparing.
A forex broker is like your financial middleman, the person who makes it possible for you to buy and sell currencies, and increasingly, other instruments, without having to fly to Wall Street and start waving your hands around in a pit full of sweaty traders. Brokers usually give you access to slick platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5), where you can click, drag, and chart your way to trading glory (or financial ruin, depending on how your last gold trade went).
They make money mostly from spreads, commissions, and sometimes sneaky overnight financing fees. But the key point? Forex brokers are usually the adult in the room, financial authorities that make sure the broker doesn’t just run off with your cash.
Crypto exchanges, on the other hand, are like bustling digital bazaars where people swap Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of other coins you’ve probably never heard of. Some exchanges are highly professional (think Coinbase or Binance), while others look like they were built in a spare room above a Kebab shop in a rundown area of town way back in 2009 and they still haven’t updated their customer support line.
Here, you are often trading “real” crypto. You buy it, you own it, and if you want, you can transfer it to a private wallet where you hold the keys (and nervously triple check you didn’t send your life savings to the wrong address).
Exchanges aren’t always regulated in the same way brokers are. Some have licenses, others are still trying to figure out how to explain themselves to governments. And of course, some have collapsed spectacularly (cough FTX cough), reminding traders that “not your keys, not your coins” is more than just a catchy slogan.
What is the overlap? Both let you trade cryptocurrencies. Both give you platforms to click “buy” and “sell” with frightening ease. But the philosophy is different:
In short, forex brokers are like the controlled environment of a gym treadmill, while crypto exchanges are more like trail running in the wilderness. One is predictable and regulated; the other has more freedom, but you might twist your ankle.
If you’re wondering why someone would trade Bitcoin through a forex broker when shiny crypto exchanges are a click away, don’t worry, you’re not alone. But as with most things in finance (and life), convenience and comfort often win out. Let’s explore the main reasons traders cosy up to their forex brokers for crypto action.
Imagine logging into one platform and being able to trade EUR/USD, gold, the WS30, and Bitcoin, all without juggling multiple logins or trying to remember which two-factor authentication app you used. That’s the magic of forex brokers. Everything’s under one roof.
For traders who already spend their days glued to MT4 or MT5, adding a Bitcoin chart to the mix feels natural. Why learn a brand-new exchange interface when you can just slap another chart on to your screen?
Let’s face it: most crypto exchanges have interfaces that feel like you’re piloting a spaceship. Order books, charts, liquidity depth, and a hundred different order types, it’s enough to make a newbie’s head spin, not to mention an old sweat like me!
Forex brokers, on the other hand, stick to what traders already know. MetaTrader might not win awards for beauty, but it’s simple, reliable, and lets you run all your favourite EAs (Expert Advisors) while pretending you’re not over-leveraging again.
This is a big one. Most forex brokers let you trade crypto CFDs with leverage, sometimes up to 1:10 or 1:20. That means you can control a much larger position than your actual deposit would normally allow.
Of course, leverage is a double-edged sword. It can make you feel like a genius when Bitcoin moves in your favour, or like you’ve just donated your account balance to the market gods when it doesn’t. Still, many traders love the thrill (and the possibility of multiplying gains), and brokers are more than happy to provide you with the rope.
For some traders, the idea of wiring money to an offshore crypto exchange feels about as safe as sending your wallet to a stranger on Instagram. Forex brokers, at least the trusted ones, have to follow strict rules about client funds and reporting. That extra layer of oversight can give traders peace of mind.
Sure, not every forex broker is squeaky clean, but compared to the Wild West of unregulated exchanges, it feels a bit like moving from a dodgy back street casino into a proper Las Vegas venue. The house still wins most of the time, but at least the drinks are free.
If you’ve been trading forex for years, switching to crypto on your broker’s platform doesn’t require you to learn anything new. It’s like ordering your usual coffee from your favourite café; no need to explain yourself, no surprises, it just feels familiar and right.
For traders who just want exposure to Bitcoin or Ethereum without diving into the deep end of blockchain technology, forex brokers are the easy button.
Of course, trading crypto through your forex broker isn’t all sunshine and Lamborghinis. In fact, for every shiny perk, there’s usually a catch hiding in the small print. Let’s dig into the not-so-glamorous side.
Most forex brokers only bother listing the “A-list celebrities” of crypto, Bitcoin, Ethereum, maybe Litecoin if they’re feeling generous. Don’t expect to find meme coins, obscure tokens, or that weird project your mate in your local bar swears will be “the next big thing.”
If you’re the type who likes browsing the full crypto buffet with thousands of coins to choose from, a forex broker will feel more like a sad hotel breakfast.
On exchanges, fees are usually clear and upfront: a small percentage per trade. With forex brokers, the cost often hides inside the spread (the difference between the buy and sell price).
Add to that the potential overnight financing charges (a.k.a. “swap fees”), and suddenly your “cheap” trade isn’t looking so cheap. Brokers know you’re here for convenience, and convenience rarely comes free.
Here’s the biggie: in most cases, when you trade crypto with a forex broker, you’re not actually buying Bitcoin. You’re trading CFDs (Contracts for Difference) or another type of derivative. That means you’re just speculating on the price, not owning the underlying asset.
So, forget about transferring your coins to a private wallet, staking them in decentralized finance, or bragging about “hodling” (long-term investment strategy) through the next bull run. With a forex broker, you can’t send Bitcoin to your hardware wallet, because you don’t actually own any. It’s like betting on horse racing without ever seeing the horse.
On a crypto exchange, if you want to move your coins, you can send them directly to your wallet. With a forex broker? Nope. You deposit in fiat, you trade in fiat, and you withdraw in fiat, although many brokers are looking to add crypto withdrawals in the future.
If your dream was to stack sats and live off crypto someday, you’ll be disappointed. Forex brokers keep things old-school: dollars, euros, pounds. Digital coins stay on the screen only, for the moment.
Planning to hold Bitcoin for months at your forex broker? Brace yourself. Many brokers charge daily overnight fees for holding leveraged positions. Over time, these fees can quietly chew through your account like termites in wooden furniture.
Crypto purists laugh at this, since on an exchange you can buy and hold Bitcoin for years without paying a cent in “overnight financing.” But with a broker, it’s more like paying rent to keep your coins parked there.
Here’s the million-dollar question (or 9-Bitcoin question, depending on which way the market’s swinging): are crypto prices the same whether you trade on a forex broker’s platform or a crypto exchange? The short answer: not quite. Let’s explore why this is the case.
On a crypto exchange, prices come straight from the order book, a live record of buy and sell orders placed by real people (and lots of bots pretending to be real people). The price you see is the result of supply and demand in that particular marketplace. More buyers push the price up; more sellers push it down. Pretty simple.
Liquidity is key here. The bigger the exchange, the deeper the liquidity pool, and the closer the price will track the global market average. That’s why the big names like Binance or Coinbase usually stay in line with each other, while smaller exchanges might look a bit… off.
Forex brokers don’t usually have order books for crypto. Instead, they get their prices from liquidity providers, essentially, big banks, market makers, or other exchanges. The broker takes this feed, adds a spread (their cut), and serves it up to you on MT4, MT5, or whatever platform you’re using.
While prices on a forex broker’s platform generally follow the broader market, they’re not identical to exchange prices. Think of it like buying a Coke at the airport: it’s still Coke, but you’re paying airport prices.
On top of that, brokers often bake wider spreads into their quotes. For example, Bitcoin might be $50,000 on Binance but show up as $50,100 / $50,300 on your broker’s platform. That $200 gap is your cost of convenience.
There’s also slippage, the difference between the price you click on and the price you actually get. Fast-moving crypto markets love to play this game, and spreads plus slippage can add up to a nasty surprise if you’re not careful.
At this point, the clever traders might be thinking: “Aha! I’ll just buy on the exchange at $50,000 and sell on my broker at $50,200, free money right!” Unfortunately, brokers have already thought of that, and the mechanics of arbitrage between a CFD platform and a real exchange are messy (not to mention, brokers tend to close loopholes faster than you can say ‘risk-free profit’).
Prices on forex brokers and crypto exchanges are usually similar but not identical. For long-term traders, the small differences may not matter much. But for short-term scalpers and day traders, those extra spreads and tiny gaps can be costly.
Not all traders are created equal. Some like fast-paced scalping, some like long-term investing, and some just like to tell everyone at parties they “trade crypto” without ever opening a chart. So, who actually benefits from trading through a forex broker, and who’s better off sticking to exchanges?
For traders who live on 5-minute charts and survive on coffee and adrenaline, forex brokers have a few perks:
But there’s a catch: wide spreads and slippage can quickly eat into the razor-thin profits scalpers chase. It’s like running a marathon while someone keeps moving the finish line a few steps further.
If your idea of trading is buying Bitcoin and forgetting about it until the next halving cycle, a forex broker is basically useless to you. Why?
Exchanges (or better yet, private wallets) are the clear winners for hodlers. Brokers are for speculating, not storing.
Some traders don’t trust crypto exchanges after seeing headlines like “Major Exchange Collapses, Billions Lost”. For them, a regulated forex broker feels safer. At least there’s someone to complain to if things go south, even if that someone is a regulator who politely tells you, “We’re looking into it.”
If you’re the type who likes dabbling in meme coins, DeFi tokens, or anything Elon Musk tweets about, forex brokers will disappoint. You’ll find Bitcoin, Ethereum, maybe Ripple if you’re lucky, but that’s it. Exchanges win hands-down here, offering thousands of tradable assets, from serious projects to coins that sound suspiciously like recipe ingredients.
Then there’s the smart middle ground: traders who use both. They trade short-term crypto moves on their forex broker (for the convenience and leverage) but buy and hold real crypto assets on exchanges or private wallets.
Question: - Should you trade cryptocurrencies through your forex broker or stick with a dedicated crypto exchange? The answer, like most things in trading, is, it depends: -
Forex brokers bring convenience, familiarity, leverage, and regulation to the table. If you’re already trading forex, adding Bitcoin or Ethereum into the mix on the same platform is as easy as ordering dessert after dinner, no need to change restaurants. For short-term traders who just want to speculate on price moves, brokers can be a comfortable, streamlined choice.
But the downsides are hard to ignore. Limited coin selection, higher spreads, hidden fees, and, most importantly, the fact that you don’t actually own any crypto. If your dream is to hodl coins, keeping them long-term, transfer them to a cold wallet, or dive into the weird and wonderful world of altcoins and blockchains, forex brokers cannot provide you with this.
As for prices? They’re usually close enough between brokers and exchanges to not cause chaos, but small differences (plus those wider spreads) can nibble at your profits faster than you’d like. Arbitrage fantasies aside, the “cheap and cheerful” trade is rarely as cheap as it looks.
In the end, it comes down to your style.
The key is knowing what you’re really getting into. Trading crypto through a forex broker isn’t “wrong”, it’s just a different flavour of trading. Some prefer vanilla, some prefer Caramel Chew Chew. As long as you know what’s in the tub before you dive in, you won’t get any nasty surprises.
Personally, being old school, I like the Forex broker angle, it is convenient and simple. Crypto trading is just another asset that I can make money from, and I don’t have to deal in complicated wallet numbers and blockchains. If the price of Bitcoin tanks I am out of the trade and not worrying that I am going to lose my pants if it keeps dropping as I don’t actually own anything.
October 07, 2025
US stock markets continued to hit record highs last Friday, despite the ongoing shutdown of the federal government. So far, negotiations between both sides have yielded very little and by all accounts, it may take a while longer to reach a resolution. US government shutdowns are nothing new and typically last no more than a week or so, but the timing of the current gridlock means that central bankers, investors and traders alike are lacking crucial economic updates. NFPs failed to materialise on Friday and if the shutdown continues, so too will Thursday’s jobless claims. Despite the disruption, it is business as usual as far as Wall Street is concerned. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both hit record highs on Friday, as did the FTSE 100 index in the UK.
Precious metals ended the week on a high note, with gold edging up to $3,886 and silver closing Friday’s session a hair’s breadth under $48 per ounce. The low liquidity environment helped to push precious metals even higher this morning as the Asian session opened for the day, with gold and silver rising from the opening bell. Gold has broken its own record so many times this year that most people stopped counting long ago. For silver however, things are different. Silver is now inches away from breaking its record high established all the way back in 1980 and matched in 2011. The moment silver crosses $50 an ounce, the white metal will be in uncharted territory for the first time in decades.
The excitement in precious metals has also spread to Bitcoin, which tapped $125,000 per coin over the weekend, beating its previous record high established back in August. Cryptocurrencies have traditionally over performed in October, and while traders have a long way to go until the end of the month, so far this year is no exception.
Rather difficult to lay out the economic calendar when the government bodies responsible for collating and publishing the data are closed. When the US government finally does agree to a funding plan and reopens for business, markets will be granted an overdue NFP report, but as of this moment, it is impossible to say when. A surprise NFP drop sounds terrifying for unprepared traders, so with any luck, markets will get some warning beforehand. Absent any unforeseen releases, Wednesday will provide the minutes from the last FOMC meeting, which resulted in the first rate cut of the year. The absence of economic data certainly makes the Fed’s job more difficult, but given historical trends, it is very unlikely that the shutdown will last until the next meeting on the 29th of October. Chairman Powell is scheduled to deliver a speech the following day, which should shed light on the Fed’s perspective on the ongoing situation on Capitol Hill.
October 06, 2025
The US government remains closed for business, but that did not stop the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq from all hitting record highs yesterday. Artificial Intelligence was once again the driving force behind the rise in stock prices. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, reached a valuation of $500 billion yesterday following an employee share sale, making it the most valuable startup in the world. Expectations are sky-high for the nascent industry, despite the fact that OpenAI, and many other companies like it, have never turned a profit. The government closure means we are unlikely to get our beloved NFP release later today, nor any time soon for that matter. With the prospect of mass layoffs and sweeping cuts on the table, talks between both sides remain icy.
Gold tried and failed to breach $3,900 per ounce over the last two days. Silver attempted a brief foray above $48 yesterday before thinking better of it. Platinum and palladium peaked earlier in the week but failed to sustain any momentum. All four metals are down so far this morning. Small signs of weakness perhaps, but not enough to call an end to the rally in precious metals just yet. Expectations surrounding the next FOMC meeting continue to favour another rate cut on the 29th of October, with FedWatch now pointing towards a 97% chance of a 25-bps adjustment.
October has historically been a good month for cryptocurrencies and so far, 2025 is proving no exception. Bitcoin reclaimed $120k yesterday and is up 5% already this month. Bitcoin dominance meanwhile is slightly down, meaning the wider alt market is faring even better. Cryptocurrencies have been somewhat stagnant over the past couple of months, not capturing any of the flows pouring into precious metals and even failing to match the performance of major stock markets. “Uptober” may just be the excuse some investors have been looking for.
October 03, 2025
As the clock struck midnight on Capitol Hill, the Senate had not managed to agree to a new funding bill, meaning all non-essential government functions have effectively shut down. Hundreds of thousands of government employees will be furloughed until further notice. Crucially for financial markets, the public bodies responsible for collecting and publishing economic data are no longer in operation, which means that there will be no NFP this Friday. However unlikely, it is possible that a deal will be reached over the coming day or two, but for now traders will have to navigate the charts without US economic data.
Many stock markets around the world ended Q3 on a high note yesterday. The third quarter was a roaring success for US indices, with the Dow Jones gaining 5% over the last three months, the S&P 500 climbing almost 8% and the Nasdaq Composite rising 11% over the same time frame. Such performances are all the more impressive given September’s reputation as one of the toughest months for US stocks. In the UK, the FTSE 100 also overperformed, closing the quarter 6.7% higher; meanwhile in Asia, the Hong Kong-based Hang Seng index, Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi all finished 11% in the green.
Tech stocks provided the bulk of the buoyancy. Tesla (TSLA), Nvidia (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), Alphabet (GOOG) certainly had their time in the sun, but the hype surrounding AI also spilled over into the rank-and-file tech companies. Intel (INTC) roared back into life following share acquisitions by Nvidia and the US government, pushing its stock 50% higher in the third quarter. Investors who were savvy enough to invest in Seagate (STX) and Western Digital (WDC) meanwhile are laughing their way to the bank, as the humble data storage companies rose 64% and 88% respectively in Q3.
Accusations are once again being levelled at the ridiculous price-to-earnings ratios among some of the larger caps, particularly as entire sectors of the S&P 500 continue to be ignored. For now, hype is everything and investors are content to delay the inevitable rotation back into more defensive stocks.
Gold made modest gains yesterday but the optimism failed to spread to the broader precious metals market, with silver, platinum, palladium and copper all falling on the day. Gold and silver pushed higher this morning, with gold timidly advancing into unknown territory beyond $3,860 and silver extending to $47.50 per ounce, but buyers are not displaying as much enthusiasm so far today.
October 01, 2025
Every new forex trader has ‘that moment’. You know the one; you are scrolling through Instagram and there he is, some guy leaning out of a rented Lamborghini, sipping something neon from a champagne glass, and promising you can “retire by next Friday” if you just buy his $997, exclusive trading course. Of course, you’re sold, because who wouldn’t want to swap their rusty old Ford for a Lambo in just a few trading days?
That’s the spark for most people: the promise of financial freedom. The idea that you can Walz into your boss’s office, hand in your resignation with a smug grin, and spend the rest of your life trading from a hammock while coconuts fall gracefully all around you. Forex is marketed as the adult version of winning the lottery, but with more charts and fewer losing tickets.
There’s also the thrill factor. The forex market is the largest in the world — trillions of dollars changing hands every day. To a newbie, it feels like an exclusive VIP club where fortunes are made at the click of a button. And the entry fee? Just a couple hundred bucks and an internet connection. Sounds like a bargain compared to that yacht you’ll soon be ordering, right?
Here’s the spoiler: the reality doesn’t usually involve champagne, yachts, or super cars. It involves charts, losses, and enough coffee to keep a bigfoot awake. The truth is that most of those “gurus” are making more money from selling you the idea of trading than from trading itself. Fact.
Still, that said, without that spark — the dream of escaping the daily grind — most of us wouldn’t take the plunge. Just remember it’s OK to dream big but keep your expectations somewhere between “rich overnight” and “living in your mum’s spare room after blowing your first live account.”
Okay, so now that I’ve crushed your Lamborghini dream, let’s talk about the positives, because there really are plenty. Forex trading isn’t all doom, gloom, and blown out accounts. If it is done right, it can be exciting, flexible, and (eventually) financially rewarding.
First up, accessibility. Unlike some financial markets where you need to consider selling your left kidney to get started, forex is open to pretty much anyone with a computer, an internet connection, and a couple of spare dollars. You don’t need to be the Wolf of Wall Street or wear an Amarni suit. You can literally trade in your underpants while eating your cornflakes; and believe me, plenty of traders do just that.
Then there’s the sheer size of the market. Forex is the biggest financial playground in the world, with trillions of dollars moving and changing hands every single day. That means there’s always opportunity. Stocks can go quiet, commodities can get boring, but currencies? They are like hyperactive kids after eating too much sugar; always bouncing around, giving you plenty of chances to make a move.
And let’s not forget playing and learning with demo accounts. These are basically training wheels for trading. You get to practice with fake money, make every rookie mistake in the book, and still walk away with your dignity (and your actual bank balance) intact. It’s like playing a video game version of trading, except instead of shooting bad guys you’re learning why you shouldn’t put your entire account on going long on gold five minutes before a major news announcement.
Forex trading is flexible. The market runs 24 hours a day, five days a week. Whether you’re a night owl, an early bird, or someone who just can’t sleep, there’s always a market open somewhere. Unlike your local bar, forex doesn’t shut at 11 p.m.
So yes, there are plenty of good points. It’s accessible, it’s dynamic, and it’s always available. Just remember it’s not supposed to be easy money, but it is an opportunity if you approach it with the right mindset.
Okay, so we’ve covered the warm and cosy positives. Now let’s talk about the bits nobody on Instagram likes to talk about, the dark side of forex trading. Spoiler alert: it’s not all yachts, Ferraris, and endless vacations. It’s more like caffeine-fuelled, long nights, emotional breakdowns, and wondering if you should have stuck with your steady 9-5.
The first harsh reality? The learning curve is steep. Trading isn’t something you “get” overnight, no matter what that guy with the slick YouTube ad says. You can’t just watch three videos, memorize a candlestick pattern, and suddenly become Warren Buffett’s currency-trading long lost cousin. It takes time, mistakes, and more chart-watching than is healthy for your eyesight.
Then there’s the emotional rollercoaster. Picture this: you’re up 50 bucks on a trade, you’re feeling like a genius, then — BOOM! — the market flips, and you’re suddenly down a $100. Your heart sinks, your palms sweat, and you start whispering sweet hail Mary’s to the trading gods. Reality check: the market doesn’t care about you or your prayers.
Most new traders also learn the hard way that revenge trading is a thing. You lose money, you get mad, and you immediately jump back in with a bigger trade to “get it all back.” Reality check number two: this usually ends with you losing even faster. It’s like trying to put out a fire by throwing gasoline on it, super dramatic, but not at all very sensible.
And let’s not forget the misinformation problem. Social media is full of self-proclaimed “gurus” flashing screenshots of their supposed $50,000 trades. Here’s the catch: a lot of them are making more money selling you a dream than trading themselves. If their real edge was that good, they’d be too busy compounding their millions to bother running a TikTok channel.
There is an old saying; ‘do as I say, not as I do’. Most so-called gurus are fake. If you were making millions from trading, could you be that bothered to share you elite winning strategy with others? I will leave you to ponder on that one.
So yes, forex has its dark side. The steep learning curve, the emotions, the misinformation — they’re all part of the package. The key isn’t avoiding these pitfalls (because you will trip over them at some point). The real key is surviving them long enough to and to learn from any mistakes you make along the way.
If you’re new to forex, you’ll quickly discover the real challenge isn’t learning candlestick patterns or calculating pip values — it’s wading through the swamp of misinformation out there. The internet is bursting with self-proclaimed experts, all screaming for your attention, and most of them have the credibility of a used-car salesman with a fake Rolex.
Let’s start with the obvious: The social media “gurus.” You have seen the type; they pose next to rented sports cars, flash screenshots of “$5,000 trades,” and sell you the dream of financial freedom, if you just buy their course, mentorship, or “exclusive signals.” Here’s a tip: if someone’s making more money from teaching you how to trade than from trading itself, you’re not looking at a guru, you’re looking at a marketer, and a clever one at that.
Next, the signal sellers. These are the folks who promise to do all the thinking for you. Just pay them a monthly fee and they’ll tell you when to buy and when to sell. Sounds easy, right? Except most trading signals are about as reliable as the weather forecast in the UK. Sure, you might catch the occasional sunny day, but most of the time you’re left wet, cold, and wondering why you didn’t just look outside yourself. Often you have to join a private Telegram channel and sit and wait for the signals to drop in. By the time you have digested the information and put the trade on you have missed the suggested entry point and you sit and watch the trade lose.
Then there’s the army of “get rich quick” content. You’ll see headlines like “Turn $100 into $10,000 in 30 Days!” and for a moment, you’ll think, “Hey, maybe that’s possible.” Trust me - It’s not. Not unless your definition of “possible” includes blowing up your account and begging your bank for forgiveness.
So how do you navigate this mess?
• Check credentials: Real traders don’t need to rent Lambos to prove they know what they’re doing.
• Follow the money: If their income is coming from selling courses, not trading, that’s a definite red flag.
• Use YOUR common sense: If it sounds too good to be true, it is. (Unless you believe in fairy’s and unicorns.)
The truth is, there are legitimate sources of forex education out there; brokers’ educational hubs, established trading communities, and even boring old textbooks. They may not look as glamorous on Snapchat, but they’re far more valuable than any so-called guru promising instant riches.
Here’s where most new traders get it wrong: they think “success” in forex means turning a $200 account into a private island by Christmas. Sorry to ruin the fantasy, but that’s not success, that is just a daydream.
Real success in forex looks very different. It’s not about making a fortune overnight; it’s about building consistency over time. If you can grow your account steadily, month after month, without blowing it up in a moment of rage-trading, then congratulations, you are already way ahead of most newbie traders.
Okay, let’s talk numbers for a second. Professional traders don’t aim for 100% returns in a week. They’re thrilled with 3–10% a month. Doesn’t sound sexy, does it? But compound that over a year, and suddenly you’re looking at serious growth. The difference is, they’re playing the long game while the Instagram guru is playing with make-believe.
Success is also about risk management. A trader who makes 5% a month while sleeping soundly at night is more successful than someone doubling their account one week and wiping it out the next. If you’re constantly stressed, glued to your screen, and shouting at your laptop like it owes you money, you’re not succeeding - you are gambling!
And here’s the kicker: success in forex isn’t just about money. It’s about developing the discipline to stick to your plan, the patience to wait for the right setups, and the humility to admit when you’re wrong. If you can do those three things, you’re already more “successful” than the majority of people who try trading and quit after their first blown account.
So, what does success mean? Consistency, discipline, and realistic expectations. It might not look sexy on social media, but it looks fantastic in your bank account over the long term.
By now you’ve probably realised that forex trading isn’t just pressing “buy” and waiting for your bank balance to explode. It takes time, practice, and a stubborn refusal to quit after the first disaster and one or after that. To help you on your way, here are some golden nuggets of wisdom, think of them as your survival kit for the wild world of forex:
1. Start small (like, really small).
Don’t remortgage your house or drain your life savings for your “new trading empire.” Open a demo account, practice and then start with a micro account where you can trade tiny lot sizes. If you mess up, and you will, it’s better to lose coffee money rather than the family silver.
2. Keep a trading journal.
Yes, it sounds boring, and it is. You’ll thank me later. Write down your trades, why you took them, and what happened. Over time, patterns will emerge, both in the market and in your own behaviour. Think of it as therapy, but cheaper.
3. Risk management is your best friend.
Never risk more than you can afford to lose. A good rule of thumb? Risk 1–2% of your account per trade. Go past that, and you’re basically gambling with the enthusiasm of a casino regular on a losing streak.
4. Don’t copy other traders blindly.
Following random signals or copying trades without understanding why is like cooking with your eyes closed. You might get something edible, but chances are it’ll be a disaster. Learn to make your own decisions.
5. Accept that losing is part of the game.
Yes, you’ll lose trades. Everyone does. Even the best traders in the world take losses — the difference is, they don’t let one bad trade turn into a meltdown. Shrug it off, learn, and move on.
6. Protect your mental health.
Trading can be stressful, especially if you’re staring at charts 18 hours a day. Take regular breaks. Go outside. Talk to an actual human being occasionally. The market will still be there when you get back.
7. Keep your expectations realistic.
Aim for steady growth, not instant riches. Remember, doubling your account in a week usually means halving it the next.
In short: be patient, be disciplined, and don’t take financial advice from someone who films TikTok’s memes in front of a rented Ferrari.
So, there you have it — the good, the bad, and the occasionally ugly side of forex trading. It’s a world full of opportunity, but also full of pitfalls, myths, and far too many people praying on your hopes and dreams.
If you’re starting out, the most important thing to remember is this: forex isn’t a shortcut to overnight wealth. It’s a skill. Like learning to play guitar or bake sourdough bread, it takes practice, mistakes, and probably a few embarrassing failures before you get good. The difference is, with forex the stakes are a bit higher than a badly played chord or a burnt loaf — your money is on the line.
But don’t let that scare you. If you approach trading with curiosity, discipline, and a healthy sense of humour, you’ll already be ahead of most people who dive in expecting instant riches. You’ll learn to separate fact from fiction, spot the “gurus” from the marketers, and find your own rhythm in the market.
And let’s be honest: it is exciting. The idea that you can sit at your desk, place a trade, and potentially profit from global events happening in real time? That is pretty amazing. But the real magic isn’t in chasing quick wins — it’s in building consistency, protecting your capital, and watching your skills improve over time.
Yes, dream big but keep your feet firmly on the ground. Success in forex isn’t about buying a yacht or sipping cocktails on a beach (though hey, if you get there one day, send me a postcard). Success is about growth of your account, your mindset, and your patience.
Now go on, rookie, get learning, get practising, and remember: the charts don’t lie, but social media often does.
September 30, 2025
We may be witnessing history in the making with regard to precious metals. The shocking rise in silver, platinum and palladium left many investors stunned last week, as all three metals continued their ascent, facing no resistance on their path higher. Silver closed last Friday’s session at $46 per ounce – $3 higher than the week prior – and is now up 60% since the start of the year. Meanwhile, platinum and palladium both achieved double-digit gains last week with the former now rising to prices not seen in over a decade. Precious metals are rising in unison once again this morning, with gold tapping $3,800 and silver striking $47 per ounce. A reminder that silver is now only $3 away from a new all-time high.
The global pivot towards safe-haven assets is an increasingly popular trade, but only partially explains the rise in prices observed so far. On the other side of the equation, the supply side is struggling to keep up with the relentless demand. Gold and silver ETFs are soaking up huge inflows of cash from institutions and retail alike. Jewellers are reporting a scarcity of scrap gold because so few are selling in the current market. Mining companies around the world are having to increase output targets to cover the renewed demand, with many reporting record-high profits.
The first Friday of the month lies ahead, but non-farm payrolls may have to wait. The US government is facing a possible shutdown unless funding legislation is passed before the end of the fiscal year on the 30th of September. As grateful as we are for the work carried out by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, its operations are considered non-essential and will therefore be affected by the shutdown unless such is averted. If NFPs are released as planned, forecasts are currently indicating 39,000 new jobs. A low figure on the face of it, but the labour force participation rate is shrinking rapidly due to huge numbers of workers reaching retirement age. Unemployment is expected to remain at 4.3%.
Tomorrow’s JOLT survey on the other hand should be published in a timely manner with or without a government shutdown and may offer some emergency insights on the US labour market. Wednesday’s ADP employment change will likewise be unaffected by any disruption to federal operations. Wednesday also marks the start of China’s Golden Week, meaning Chinese markets will remain closed until the 8th of October. Beyond American employment figures, this week features a heavy dose of manufacturing and services PMIs from the four corners of the world, while the Reserve Bank of Australia convenes tomorrow to decide the interest rate on the Australian dollar. For now, all eyes are on precious metals.
September 29, 2025
Risk Warning : Trading derivatives and leveraged products carries a high level of risk.
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