What are Major Currency Pairs in Forex? – 2025

May 15, 2025

What are Major Currency Pairs in Forex? – 2025

New traders entering the Forex market should start by concentrating on major currency pairs as a sensible initial step.

The article provides information about major currency pairs in Forex including their definition, distinction from other currency types, examples of popular major pairs and explains why they are an excellent starting point for new traders.

Through forex trading participants engage in the purchase and sale of global currencies within an international marketplace. Jetonbank enables traders to reach a large 24-hour marketplace from any location worldwide. The fundamental component of forex trading involves mastering currency pairs but major currency pairs stand out as especially crucial.

This article examines major currency pairs and provides guidance on their functionality and trading strategies. After reading this content you will understand this fundamental forex concept thoroughly.

What are Major Currency Pairs in Forex?

Major currency pairs represent the top traded currency combinations with the highest liquidity in foreign exchange markets.

The major currency pairs include any currency that trades against the U.S. dollar (USD), euro (EUR), British pound (GBP), Japanese yen (JPY), Swiss franc (CHF), Canadian dollar (CAD), and Australian dollar (AUD). The seven currencies account for more than 90% of daily forex trading volume while maintaining narrow spreads between bid and ask prices because of their high liquidity levels.

Major currency pairs provide traders with entry to the most substantial liquidity concentrations within the forex market. High trading volumes in these pairs allow traders to enter and exit positions efficiently while having little effect on market prices.

Major currency pairs show the greatest reaction to economic news and events which influence global currency values. These currency pairs create superb trading possibilities for both rapid short-term trades and sustained position trading.

major currency pair.jpg

How Do Major Currency Pairs Differ from Minor and Exotic Currency Pairs?

Minor and exotic currency pairs represent currency pairs that have fewer trading occurrences when compared to their currency counterparts.

Among minor currency pairs you will find combinations such as New Zealand dollar (NZD), Norwegian krone (NOK), Polish zloty (PLN), and Mexican peso (MXN) which are traded against the USD, EUR, or GBP.

Exotic currency pairs consist of the less commonly traded world currencies such as the South African rand (ZAR), Turkish lira (TRY), Russian ruble (RUB), and Chinese yuan (CNY). Because of their lower daily trading volume compared to majors these currency pairs present wider bid-ask spreads.

Exiting positions in minor and exotic currency pairs can prove more challenging because of their limited trading activity.

Minor and exotic currency pairs exhibit lower liquidity which makes their markets prone to higher volatility and manipulation risks. Prices of the major currency pairs respond less strongly to economic news and geopolitical events than other currency pairs do.

New forex traders should only trade minor or exotic pairs after they acquire significant experience with major currency pairs first.

What are Some Examples of Major Currency Pairs in Forex?

New forex traders should start by examining the five most heavily traded major currency pairs which are:

EUR/USD (Euro/US Dollar)

The EUR/USD remains the leading currency pair globally with a daily trading volume exceeding $1 trillion. This currency pair reacts strongly to economic information from both American and European regions.

USD/JPY (US Dollar/Japanese Yen)

USD/JPY stands as a highly liquid major currency pair whose movements reflect the interest rate differences between the United States and Japan. Investors frequently turn to USD/JPY as a reliable safe-haven currency pair.

GBP/USD (British Pound/US Dollar)

GBP/USD movements demonstrate political and economic events related to Britain's interactions with Europe and America. Investment through this pair gains diversified exposure across three major economic regions.

USD/CHF (US Dollar/Swiss Franc)

Switzerland's stable political and economic environment makes the USD/CHF currency pair more attractive compared to other countries. This currency pair demonstrates significant responsiveness to the global strength of the US dollar.

AUD/USD (Australian Dollar/US Dollar)

The price of AUD/USD moves in tandem with commodity pricing trends and market risk sentiment because Australia relies extensively on its export sector. It introduces exposure to Asia-Pacific market influences.

Why Should Traders Focus on Major Currency Pairs in Forex?

Both beginner and seasoned traders should concentrate on major currency pairs when they first enter forex trading due to numerous strong reasons.

  • Major currency pairs provide superior liquidity at all times according to our previous discussion. The structure of major currency pairs ensures traders can execute orders with minimal spread rates and slippage amounts.
  • The major currency markets remain largely immune from manipulation attempts because of their tremendous size. Positions are safer with less volatility.
  • Major currency pairs display the highest levels of reactivity when facing economic announcements and geopolitical developments. Scheduled announcements generate dependable trading opportunities.
  • Trading different major currency pairs enables traders to gain exposure to multiple global economies and regions with minimal currency pairs.
  • The major currency pairs attract the most attention from traders due to their widespread recognition and understanding. The patterns between major currency pairs have been firmly established through extensive historical data spanning multiple decades.
  • Major currency pairs enjoy extensive educational support with numerous materials and tools as well as specialized analysts because of their widespread popularity. Support is more accessible.

Major currency pairs provide new forex traders the optimal mix of opportunities and liquidity while allowing them to build understanding and manage risks effectively as they develop their trading skills.

What Makes Major Currency Pairs the Most Popular in Forex Trading?

Major currency pairs reign supreme because of certain attributes but historical and structural factors also contribute to their enduring popularity.

  • Major currencies became more widely adopted over decades because they were the most commonly traded currency pairs. Major currency pairs have achieved critical mass which allows their liquidity to become self-sustaining.
  • International reserve currency status has been held by the USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF and more recently CAD. Their role as reserve currencies results in increased activity across trade, investment, and hedging markets.
  • The economies and markets which support major currencies like the USD and EUR achieve massive scale and exert substantial influence over global business operations. Traders prioritize what drives macro trends.
  • Major currencies dominate institutional transactions because central banks, investment banks, corporations and other large financial institutions rely on their stability and extensive market reach. Retail traders follow suit.
  • The selection of major currency pairs focuses on geographic closeness and existing trade partnerships. This reinforces their natural network effects.

The combination of fundamental market forces ensures that major pairs maintain their status as the Forex market's foundation into the foreseeable future which positions them as ideal choices for beginners launching trading accounts with Jetonbank.

Our stable platform combined with abundant educational resources and opportunities creates an ideal learning environment for mastering this dynamic global marketplace.

Experience the benefits of major currency pair trading on Jetonbank's online platform by opening an account today.

Jetonbank offers global customers a protected and authorized online banking platform for forex trading and other financial transactions.

Can Major Currency Pairs Be More Predictable in Forex Markets?

Several key factors make major currency pairs more predictable and stable compared to minor or exotic currency pairs.

  • Higher liquidity: The major currency pairs receive the highest trading volumes on a daily basis. The high liquidity of major currency pairs lets traders move in and out of positions without significantly affecting market prices. Deep market liquidity ensures more predictable price reactions to economic announcements and developments.
  • Less vulnerability to geopolitics: Major currencies experience short-term effects from geopolitical tensions but remain more stable compared to minor pairs which are more susceptible to country-specific political risks. Major currencies maintain their value through strong, varied economies that show minimal dependency on any single event or policy change.
  • Tight spreads: The term 'tight spreads' describes the minimal difference between a forex broker's bid and ask prices. The high trading volume of major currency pairs results in the narrowest spreads available. Trading major currency pairs costs less than waiting for the spreads of less liquid pairs to become tighter.
  • Respond to global trends: As global reserve currencies major currency pairs demonstrate price movements that align with worldwide economic patterns instead of domestic-specific events. Traders can develop market positions using general economic predictions instead of attempting to assess each country's distinct economic situation.

Currency pairs never operate with absolute predictability. Major currency pairs typically present higher chances for profitable trades because they maintain stability compared to the riskier minor and exotic pairs.

Jetonbank traders gain higher confidence when they position their trades according to significant market changes.

What are the Advantages of Trading Major Currency Pairs in Forex in 2025?

Major currency pairs provide numerous benefits enabling them to attract forex traders in 2025 and future years:

  • Lower transaction costs: As mentioned, majors have extremely tight spreads. Jetonbank charges lower fees per trade for major currency pairs compared to other options. Their liquidity ensures traders can enter and exit positions with minimal slippage.
  • Ability to trade fundamental themes: Major currency pairs react strongly to broad economic trends which allows traders to develop trading strategies around expected interest rate decisions and GDP reports along with other macroeconomic news. Fundamental analysis thus plays a bigger role.
  • Diversification benefits: Major currency pairs provide traders with the chance to monitor economic performance across two strong nations instead of investing in a single country. The act of diversification decreases the level of non-market risk each time a trade is executed.
  • Opportunity for multiple time frames: The depth and volatility of major pairs provide trading opportunities to both short-term scalpers and long-term position traders. Jetonbank allows traders to utilize the same currency pairs across day trading, swing trading, and position trading based on their personal strategies and risk levels.
  • Potential for trending moves: Even though consolidation occurs frequently, major currency pairs tend to show extended directional trends as they react to sustained risk-on/risk-off conditions or significant macroeconomic changes.
  • Familiarity and experience: Traders have access to extensive historical data and institutional expertise about primary currency forces. As traders gain experience they develop better pattern recognition abilities which allows them to identify high probability trade setups.

These combined factors position major currency pairs as fundamental components for every forex portfolio.

Jetonbank offers traders powerful platforms that provide them with top-tier access to exploit the investment opportunities available.

major currency pairs.jpg

How Can Beginners Get Started with Trading Major Currency Pairs in Forex?

New traders should begin their forex trading journey with major currency pairs because this method offers the lowest level of risk.

New traders can learn about major currency pairs with these tips on the Jetonbank platform.

Choose one or two major pairs initially. Concentrating your forex education on EUR/USD and GBP/USD helps maintain simplicity while you learn basic trading principles.

Study essential economic reports to understand typical currency pair reactions. Identify the economic indicators that drive price movements in major currency pairs including US nonfarm payrolls as well as eurozone GDP and UK retail sales.

Start with small position sizes. Conduct risk management practice sessions using a demo account before transitioning to live trading. Increase your positions step by step while your trading strategy develops along with your confidence.

Trade major news events. Identify dependable patterns showing major pairs' reactions to pre-determined announcements. Enter trades aligned with expectations.

Use trend-following strategies. Major currency pairs demonstrate strong trending behavior during specific periods. Moving averages serve as strategies to detect entry-point trends.

Monitor pairs daily. Follow major currency heat maps to stay updated with the overall risk sentiment that impacts your trading pairs.

Join an online forex community. Access expert economic calendar analyses and understand currency pair dynamics through Jetonbank's social networking platforms.

New traders can realistically achieve proficiency by focusing on mastering only a few major currency pairs. Appropriate preparation combined with practice on the demo platform leads to developing trading proficiency over time.

What Strategies Work Best for Trading Major Currency Pairs in Forex?

The most successful strategies for major currency pairs typically focus on these main elements:

  • Trend-following systems: The trend-based strategies excel at capturing the long directional movements that major currency pairs tend to show. Traders frequently apply moving averages, breakouts, pullbacks and other trend indicators in their analysis.
  • News trading: Major currency pairs experience their largest intraday fluctuations around major news events. You can achieve significant profits by betting for or against market expectations through specific strategies.
  • Counter-trend strategies: Pullbacks offer safer entry points by moving against main trends. Range trading and support/resistance bounces remain effective when applied to major currency pairs.
  • Carry trades: Major pair players often execute classic trades by leveraging high-yielding currencies against low-carry counterparts. This trading method allows participants to generate profits through interest rate differentials.
  • Scalping: Majors offer tight spreads and high liquidity which enable short-term scalping strategies to achieve multiple small victories especially during announcements.
  • Fundamental analysis: Major currency pair valuations depend heavily on broad macroeconomic factors so trading approaches that consider interest rates and growth along with political risks tend to perform better.

No matter what trading approach you choose, risk management remains critical when trading major currency pairs.

Jetonbank's cutting-edge tools let you backtest trading methods to determine which generate the best consistent profits over time based on your schedule and goals.

What Factors Influence the Value of Major Currency Pairs in Forex?

To effectively analyze currency pairs for trading purposes it is crucial to understand how major currency values are influenced by macroeconomic factors.

These are key elements that affect major currency pairs.

  • Interest rates: Currency demand and capital flows between nations are heavily influenced by domestic interest rate differentials which serve as a main driver for long-term economic trends. Rate hike cycles tend to boost currencies.
  • Economic growth: Robust GDP performance along with positive employment data and other growth indicators act as fundamental drivers for currency demand which reflects national economic potential. Data surprises often jumpstart big moves.
  • Inflation rates: Inflation rates that increase reduce purchasing power while simultaneously making currencies weaker in the long-term. When deflation becomes a concern it actually stimulates demand.
  • Fiscal policy: The dynamics of government debt and spending strategies directly affect currency movements. Currency depreciation/appreciation events occur simultaneously with either fiscal stimulus programs or fiscal tightening measures.
  • Current accounts: Trade balances reflect underlying competitiveness. Currencies tend to weaken over time when deficits persist but demonstrate long-term strength when facing consistent surpluses.
  • Central bank actions: Currency direction during the near to medium-term is primarily influenced by official interest rate adjustments and other central bank activities including quantitative easing and tapering.
  • Risk sentiment: Major currency movements depend on widespread investor risk-on and risk-off trends. During times when investors show risk aversion and face uncertainty, safe-haven currencies achieve higher performance levels.

Knowledge of macroeconomic influences across various time frames enables Jetonbank traders to create profitable forex trading strategies and adjust their risk management techniques. Fundamental analysis is a core skill.

Start your forex trading journey with Jetonbank by opening a live forex account today.

Access the most popular currency pairs for trading through tight spreads and benefit from powerful tools that drive your trading success. Enroll today to advance your forex trading skills.

24/7 client care
Operating since 2018
Award-winning Banking