What is forex? The basics to understand before you start
A practical introduction to currency pairs, trading hours, and why both profits and losses occur.
- How forex trading works
- Why profit and loss occur
- What to check before opening an account
BEGINNER GUIDES
Forex and CFD guides
Start with the mechanics, then compare account conditions, trading costs and risk before you register or deposit funds.
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Find the question you need answered
Use the guides as a checklist. They are not personal investment advice or a reason to rush into a trade.
Forex & CFD basics
Forex & CFD basics
Understand the mechanics, leverage, margin, trading platforms and automated trading before using a live account.
How to Start Forex Trading With an Offshore Broker: 6 Steps for Beginners
How to start forex trading with an offshore broker in 6 steps: pick a broker, open an account, verify ID, deposit, set up MT4/MT5 and place a small first trade.
- The 6-step overview
- What you need to open an account
- Four common mistakes
Offshore Forex Brokers vs Japanese Domestic Brokers: Leverage, Negative Balance Protection, Tax
Offshore forex brokers vs Japanese domestic brokers compared on 7 points: leverage (25x cap in Japan), negative balance protection, tax and trust protection.
- 7 differences between the two
- How tax and zero cut differ
- Which suits which priority
What is stop-out in forex? Margin, leverage and liquidation risk
Understand margin level, leverage, position size and why a broker may close positions when account equity falls.
- How stop-out works
- How margin level is calculated
- What to check before choosing position size
MT4 vs MT5: which platform should beginners choose?
Compare MT4 and MT5 by timeframes, pending orders, EAs and Depth of Market, see which listed brokers support both, and learn how to move from MT4 to MT5.
- Differences between MT4 and MT5
- How to choose a platform
- Brokers supporting both platforms and how to switch
Forex order types explained: market, limit and stop orders, OCO and IFD on MT4 and MT5
Forex order types explained: market, limit and stop orders, how to mimic OCO and IFD with SL and TP on MT4 and MT5, and the 6 MT5 pending orders.
- Limit vs stop orders
- Recreating OCO and IFD
- Placing orders on MT4/MT5
Forex risks to understand before you start
A short guide to leverage, position size, available funds and the conditions that can affect losses.
- Leverage
- Funds at risk
- Account conditions
What to check before using an EA or automated strategy
Understand how EAs work, why monitoring is still required and what to review before using automated trading software.
- How EAs work
- Loss risk
- Provider conditions
What is copy trading in forex? How it works, fees and risks before you start
What is copy trading in forex? It copies another trader's trades to your account. See the 4 steps, EA and MAM/PAMM differences, fees and risks.
- The 4 steps of copy trading
- EA and MAM/PAMM differences
- Fee types and risks
Learning scalping independently or in a trading community
Compare access to questions, feedback, rules and ongoing conditions rather than choosing by promises of results.
- Independent study
- What to check in a community
- Choosing a suitable format
Forex broker KYC verification: required documents, steps and why it fails
Forex broker KYC verification explained: 2 documents (proof of identity and address), submission steps and fixes. HFM says its review takes up to 48 hours.
- Two required documents
- Steps and review time
- Why it fails and fixes
Forex money management: how to set risk per trade, lot size and margin level (beginner guide)
Forex money management for beginners: set your risk per trade first, then work out lot size. Three hypothetical examples, plus margin level and stop-out.
- Work out lots from risk
- Three hypothetical examples
- Margin level and stop-out
Forex Economic Indicators Explained: NFP, CPI, FOMC and BOJ Meetings for Beginners
Forex economic indicators explained: US jobs report, CPI, FOMC and BOJ meetings, JST times (21:30 DST, 22:30 standard) and release-time cautions.
- How to read 4 key releases
- JST conversion, DST and standard
- What happens around releases
Forex Demo Account: How to Open One, How It Differs from Live, and How to Practice
A forex demo account lets you practice with virtual funds on the same trading tools. Learn how to open one, how it differs from live, and 5 operations to test.
- How demo accounts work
- Demo vs live differences
- Setup steps and practice
Broker comparison
Broker comparison
Compare the entity, account conditions, platforms and trading costs shown for your country of residence.
HFM review 2026: accounts, bonus terms and what to check
HFM account types, the standing 20% Top-Up deposit bonus, funding and verification steps, and the checks to make before opening an account.
- Why opinions on HFM are divided
- The six account types compared
- Standing bonus terms
- Checks before depositing
How to compare forex brokers: the key checks
Compare the legal entity, account conditions, funding methods and support instead of choosing only by a headline offer.
- Legal entity and terms
- Trading conditions and costs
- Funding and support
Forex spreads and commissions: how to compare trading costs
Learn why the lowest advertised spread is not the entire cost and what to compare across account types.
- Variable spreads
- Round-turn commissions
- Fit with trading frequency
What Are Swap Points in Forex? Offshore Swaps, Triple-Swap Days and Swap-Free Accounts
What are swap points in forex? Swap is an overnight interest adjustment you can receive or pay. Triple-swap day and swap-free rules, checked 21 October 2026.
- How swap works
- Triple-swap day basics
- Swap-free account conditions
Bonuses and campaigns
Bonuses and campaigns
Review eligible accounts, trading-volume conditions, expiry and withdrawal rules before opting in.
What to check before accepting a forex bonus
Review eligible accounts, withdrawal rules, trading-volume requirements, credit treatment and expiry conditions before choosing a bonus.
- Bonus types and credit
- Withdrawal conditions
- Expiry and margin treatment
- What to check before opting in
Deposits and withdrawals
Deposits and withdrawals
How funding methods differ, how long settlement takes, and the same-method withdrawal rule most brokers apply.
Forex broker deposit and withdrawal basics: choosing a method, timing and the same-method rule
Forex broker deposit and withdrawal rules for beginners: 4 deposit methods, the same-name rule, the same-method withdrawal rule and why withdrawals stall.
- From deposit to withdrawal
- Choosing among 4 deposit methods
- Why withdrawals stall
Technical analysis
Technical analysis
How to read candlestick charts, timeframes and basic indicators before you place a trade.
How to Read Forex Charts: Candlesticks, Timeframes and Moving Averages for Beginners
How to read forex charts: candlesticks, timeframes and moving averages, plus MT5 setup steps. MT5 offers 21 timeframes, per the official MetaQuotes help.
- What one candlestick shows
- How timeframes change the view
- Moving averages and MT5 setup
NEXT STEP
Compare the account conditions available to you.
Entity, account availability, platforms, funding methods and promotions may differ by country of residence.