Entries by The Synapse Network

What is a Base and Quote Currency?

The base currency is the first currency listed in a currency pair, such as USD/EUR, where the U.S. dollar (USD) is the base currency. The second currency in the pair is known as the quote or counter currency. If you are “long” on the currency pair, you are betting that the base currency will increase […]

What is a Pip?

A pip in forex trading is the smallest whole unit price move that an exchange rate can make, based on market convention. It is commonly understood as one-hundredth of 1% (0.0001) and is reflected in the fourth decimal place of most currency pairs. For example, in the USD/CAD currency pair, a pip is equivalent to […]

What is Leverage in Forex?

Leverage is the use of borrowed funds, known as capital, to invest in a currency, stock, or security. In forex trading, leverage is a commonly used tool that allows traders to open positions larger than their initial capital would otherwise permit. By borrowing money from a broker, traders can magnify the returns on favorable currency […]

What is a Forex Lot Size?

A lot in forex trading is a standardized unit of measurement that represents the size of a trade. Since the changes in currency values are measured in pips, which are very small increments (usually the fourth decimal place), trading a single unit of currency would not be practical. To make trading these small movements feasible, […]

When is the Best Time to Trade Forex? (Top 3 Forex Trading Hours)

Many first-time forex traders dive into the market with enthusiasm, tracking various economic calendars and trading aggressively on every data release. The 24-hour, five-days-a-week nature of the forex market seems like an endless opportunity to trade, but this approach can quickly deplete a trader’s resources and lead to burnout, even for the most dedicated individuals. […]