Foreign exchange market is the market in which foreign currencies are bought and sold. The buyers and sellers include individuals, firms, foreign exchange brokers, commercial banks and the central bank. Like any other market, foreign exchange market is a system in which the transactions are not confined to only one or few foreign currencies. There are a large number of foreign currencies which are traded, converted and exchanged in the foreign exchange market.

The foreign exchange market assists international trade and investment by enabling currency conversion. For example, it permits a business in the United States to import goods from the European Union member states especially Euro zone members and pay Euros, even though its income is in United States dollars. The foreign exchange market (forex, FX, or currency market) is a form of exchange for the global decentralized trading of international currencies.

Characteristics of foreign exchange market

  • Electronic market
  • Geographical Dispersal
  • Transfer of purchasing power
  • Intermediary Volume
  • Provision of credit
  • Minimizing Risk.