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Currencies are traded like every other asset, the same way you would trade in your couch or stocks. Where this happens is called the Foreign Exchange Market, or Forex for short. It is the most liquid market in the world, with about $6 Trillion exchanging hands daily. The exchange rate fluctuates daily due to the economic and financial pressures of the geographical area where the currencies are spent. Some common stressors include the interest rates in the area, central bank policies, the political climate, and the rate of economic growth.
Like any other market, there is always a regulatory body. The body, or more accurately bodies, in this case, are banks and financial institutions all over the world that constitute a global network that regulates and oversees the activities of the forex market.
The Forex market allows people and institutions to turn over a profit and diversify their portfolios. It is open 24 hours daily, from Monday to Friday, with the below being the most common currencies traded worldwide.
U.S. Dollar
ISO 4217 Currency Code: USD
Central Bank: Federal Reserve
Current Interest Rate: https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/current/
On any list of the most used currencies in the world, the United States Dollar would always be number one. Also known as the greenback, it is regarded as the strongest currency in the world, and it is not because it is the most valuable currency but because it is regarded as the standard for exchange in most places and on many exchanges.
One would expect the dollar to be the most valuable currency in the world, considering that it is the official currency of the United States, the world’s largest economy, and a juggernaut of international trade. But it is, without doubt, the most important as the U.S. dollar is the standard currency for precious metals like gold and crude oil and is held in reserve by most central and commercial banks for international trade and investment.
The dollar has an average trade volume of $2.9 trillion daily.
Euro
ISO 4217 Currency Code: EUR
Central Bank: European Central Bank (ECB)
Current Interest Rate: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/key_ecb_interest_rates/html/index.en.html
No list of the most valuable currencies in the world is complete without the Euro. It is number two on the list of top world currencies based on average trade volume, coming in at $1.1 trillion. It was introduced to the world market on January 1, 1999, and has been adopted for use by 19 out of the 28 European Union (EU) countries, with many other countries in Europe and some in Africa pegging their currency in some form to the Euro.
The Euro is the official currency of the EU and the second largest currency in reserve, accounting for about 20% of global reserves by volume.
Japanese Yen
ISO 4217 Currency Code: JPY
Central Bank: Bank of Japan
Current Interest Rate: https://www.boj.or.jp/en/index.htm
The Japanese Yen is the official currency of Japan and is the third most traded currency worldwide, with a daily average of $554 billion. Continuing its trend of coming after the US dollar and the Euro, the Japanese Yen also comes in third with 4.9% in Global reserves. It is important to note that the Yen’s value is tied to Japan’s manufacturing and export sector and is heavily influenced by news from the Bank of Japan. One such news to be on the lookout for is Japan’s new banknote series due in 2024. Events like this can move the financial markets positively or negatively.
The Great British Pound
ISO 4217 Currency Code: GBP
Central Bank: Bank of England (BoE)
Current Interest Rate: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/the-interest-rate-bank-rate
Also known as the Pound Sterling, it is the most expensive currency on this list and the fourth most traded currency globally at a $422 billion daily average volume. It is held in reserve because it competes with other top currencies despite being backed primarily by the UK’s economy. Unmistakably one of the most important currencies in the world, the Great British Pound has remained the UK’s official legal tender despite having been a part of the European Union. It staved off using the Euro because of its history of using Pounds and a need to control and manage domestic interests.
Australian Dollar
ISO 4217 Currency Code: AUD
Central Bank: Reserve Bank of Australia
Current Interest Rate:https://www.rba.gov.au/statistics/frequency/exchange-rates.html
Also known as the Aussie, the Australian Dollar is the 5th most traded currency worldwide, accounting for 1.8% of the global reserve in volume and traded daily at an average of $223 billion. The prices of many commodities significantly influence the pride of the AUD, as Australia is a giant exporter of copper, coal, and iron and a massive oil importer.
Canadian Dollar
ISO 4217 Currency Code: CAD
Central Bank: Bank of Canada
Current Interest Rate: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/exchange/
The Canadian Dollar, also known as the loonie, is another popularly traded currency. It ranks as the 6th most traded currency worldwide. Canada's economy, which is largely tied to natural resources and commodities like oil, influences the CAD's value. The Bank of Canada, the country's central bank, manages the Canadian Dollar and sets monetary policies that can impact its value.
Mexican Peso
ISO 4217 Currency Code: MXN
Central Bank: Bank of Mexico (Banco de México)
Current Interest Rate: https://www.banxico.org.mx/tipcamb/main.do
The Mexican Peso, also referred to as the varo, is the most traded currency in Latin America and the 15th most traded currency worldwide. The Peso's value is influenced by Mexico's economic conditions, including its strong ties to the U.S. economy and its dependence on oil exports.
Chinese Yuan
ISO 4217 Currency Code: CNY
Central Bank: People's Bank of China
Current Interest Rate: https://www.bankofchina.com/sourcedb/whpj/enindex_1619.html
The Chinese Yuan, also known as Renminbi, is the official currency of the People's Republic of China. As China has rapidly grown into a global economic powerhouse, its currency has also gained significant international recognition. It is now the 8th most traded currency worldwide. The Renminbi's value is managed by the People's Bank of China, and it is heavily influenced by the country's economic policies and growth rate.
In conclusion, in the global foreign exchange market (Forex), several currencies stand out as the most traded, including the U.S. Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), Japanese Yen (JPY), Great British Pound (GBP), Australian Dollar (AUD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), Mexican Peso (MXN), and Chinese Yuan (CNY). These currencies are at the forefront of international trade and financial transactions, each with its unique factors influencing its value and trading volume.
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