Introduction to The FOREX Market

The Foreign Exchange Market — better known as Forex — is a world wide market for buying and selling currencies.
It handles a huge volume of transactions 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. Daily exchanges are worth approximately $4 trillion (US dollars). In comparison, the United States Treasury Bond market averages $300 billion a day and American stock markets exchange about $100 billion a day.
The Foreign Exchange Market was established in 1971 with the abolishment of fixed currency exchanges. Currencies became valued at 'floating' rates determined by supply and demand. The Forex grew steadily throughout the 1970's, but with the technological advances of the 80's Forex grew from trading levels of $70 billion a day to the current level of $1.5 trillion.
The Forex is made up of about 5000 trading institutions such as international banks, central government banks (such as the US Federal Reserve), and commercial companies and brokers for all types of foreign currency exchange.
There is no centralized location of Forex — major trading centers are located in New York, Tokyo, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, and Frankfurt, and all trading is by telephone or over the Internet. Businesses use the market to buy and sell products in other countries, but most of the activity on the Forex is from currency traders who use it to generate profits from small movements in the market.
Even though there are many huge players in Forex, it is accessible to the small investor thanks to recent changes in the regulations. Previously, there was a minimum transaction size and traders were required to meet strict financial requirements. With the advent of Internet trading, regulations have been changed to allow large interbank units to be broken down into smaller lots.
Each lot is worth about $100,000 and is accessible to the individual investor through 'leverage' — loans extended for trading. Typically, lots can be controlled with a leverage of 100:1 meaning that US$1,000 will allow you to control a $100,000 currency exchange.

SigmaForex LTD Registrations And Regulations

SigmaForex LTD is leading European professional online trading Brokers registered in the United Kingdom and most of the EU countries.

What is meaning by registered?

means that there is a company called SigmaForex LTD inside united kingdom & registered by United Kingdom Law & follow the governmental rules.

SigmaForex LTD registered & follows the governmental rules in United Kingdom and anyone can check that by visiting this official website: http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/ this is a UK governmental website.

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/d8846c7fe805874be7c646b1ed4f10ce/companysearch?disp=1&frfsh=1216759237#result this is the full link where you can find SigmaForex LTD with the registration number.

SigmaForex LTD Regulations:

SigmaForex LTD working now to be regulated with FSA (United Kingdom Financial Service Authority) but now SigmaForex LTD is complying with FSA and many financial authorities like NFA, CFTC, FSC and others.

Why SigmaForex LTD not working in the regulation of NFA?

Most of Traders ask this question and it's a common question for any broker. Here's the answer; NFA (National Future Association) regulate the Financial Companies that based in United State and have Future Trading. SigmaForex LTD not inside United State and doesn't has Future Trading. But NFA rules are compatible with the rules that SigmaForex is following and you can check with your self.

Complying: Means that this company follows the rules 100% and meet their regulatory obligations efficiently.

Dear Trader, you must be involved and know the difference between FSA and NFA. Many Forex Brokers inside united State not regulated by NFA because they don't work with Future Trading but they are complying with them & follow the same rules as the Forex broker that regulated with NFA.

Forex Broker Regulation - Part One

What good is forex broker that you can trade and make money with, but when it comes time to take your money, they don't give it to you, because they don’t have it?

Forex Broker Bust Story. Refco was the biggest forex broker that was worth around $4 billion dollars. In October of 2005, Refco shut down its operations and every trader who had money with them got screwed big time.

Refco was regulated and for some time they were spending not only their profits but also deposits of their clients.
The amounts of money that traders saw on their trading platforms and the amounts of money Refco had in their bank accounts were different by $400 million.

So when the news hit the wire that Refco is running at such deficit, traders panicked and started asking for withdrawals. The only problem was that Refco was $400 million short of what it owed to traders.

There was a trial of course, and whatever assets the company had the court ordered to distribute among traders. I knew some people that had money with Refco. As far as I remember, after all assets were sold they got around 10% of what was owed to them. That means if person had $10,000 in his trading account, he got only $1,000 of it.

Forex Broker Regulation - Part Two

Difference Between Regulated And Complying

The Most Common Question that traders ask brokers is:

"Are You Regulated by NFA?"
"Are You Regulated by FSA?"
"Are You Regulated by CFTC?"
"Are You Regulated by SEC?"
"Are You Regulated by SIPC?"
"Are You Regulated by FINRA?"
"Are You Regulated by Mr.X?" :)

No, Don't Ask this question because there are many fictions regulations. Don't Be The Fish!
The Right Action to take is to compare between the rules and restrictions of the regulatory associations and the rules that the broker follow.

Complying With FSA means that this broker working in the regulation process and follow all the rules that the regulatory body has.

Regulated By FSA means that this broker already regulated by FSA & may Follow the rules.

Why?
NFA, FSA, CFTC, SIPC, SEC, .....etc all of these associations are private sectors in the origin. The Main Aim is to Collect as much brokers as they can to increase from their popularity beside the governmental associations
Do You Know that FSA, NFA or others charge Millions Of Dollars to authorize the regulation of brokers. All these money are distributed as following;
1- Part For The Tax Authority
2- Part For The Private Sector
3- Part For Governmental Sector
Some Brokers Play with these rules after paying all of these parts and it's time for scamming.

Don't Take Your Decision After The 1st Impression
Test The Services
Test The Trust
Test The Security
Test The Attitude
Test The Credibility
Test The History
Test The Quality
Test The Speed
Compare With Others
The Take Your Decision!

Forex Broker Regulation - Part Three

The difference Between NFA (National Future Association) And FSA (Financial Services Authority)

NFA [National Future Association]:
To Be Able To Register in NFA you must have the following:

1. You Brokerage Firm Based in United State
2. Working in Futures
   

These two rules are basically must be there to be able to regulate with NFA

FSA [Financial Services Authority]:
To be able to register with The FSA your brokerage firm must be exist & based in United Kingdom

Question: I have a brokerage Firm in United Kingdom. Can I register with NFA?
Answer: No You Can't. But If you have branches in USA you can do it

Question: I have a brokerage Firm in USA. Can I register with FSA?
Answer: No You Can't

MetaTrader4 Creats Conflict between SigmaForex and InterBank FX

Confusions seem to be endless with technical programs. As a result of using MetaTrader4 program, many intersections between different platforms occur.

Applying this fact between SigmaForex platform and that of InterBank FX, while installing any of them.

InterBank FX MetaTrader4: After installing InterBank FX MetaTrader4 you will find the extension

[C:\Program Files\Interbank FX Trader 4\config]

Open the folder that called "config" you will find InterBank FX Demo.srv and InterBank FX -Live.srv

SigmaForex also have the same Forex Software but under their name Meta Trader 4.

Let's run the setup of this software & go the same extension again [C:\Program Files\MetaTrader - SigmaForex\config], Open also [C:\Program Files\InterBank FX Trader 4\config]

The Same Folders, The Same Software make some version of windows rewrite the files in these folders with different names.

The Result:

That you will be able to be connected with two kinds of servers through one program!

MetaTrader4 Creats Conflict between SigmaForex and FXCM

Let's Do It Again Using SigmaForex and FXCM (Forex Capital Market)

MetaTrader4 is mostly used among brokers because it is so simple in use & easier for new traders in Forex market, and more accurate.

There are many advantages for this Forex Software but as we know that there is no perfectness without drawbacks; so, one of the most known drawbacks of Meta Trader4 that there is conflict in SRV files in its configuration.

For An Example:

FXCM Meta Trader 4: After installing FXCM Meta Trader4, you will find in C:/ driver a folder named Program Files

C:\Program Files\FXCM Trader 4 this is the extension of the FXCM Meta trader 4

Open the folder that called "config" you will find FXCM-Demo.srv and FXCM-Live.srv

SigmaForex also have the same Forex Software but under their name Meta Trader 4.

I want you to run the setup of this software & go the same extension again [C:\Program Files\MetaTrader - SigmaForex\config], Open also [C:\Program Files\FXCM Trader 4\config]

The Same Folders, The Same Software make some version of windows rewrite the files in these folders with different names

The Result:

That you will be able to be connected with two kinds of servers through one program!

Intersection between MetaTrader4 Programs

As you know that MetaTrader4 used widely among brokers because it is so simple in use & more easy for new traders in Forex market.

There are many advantages for this Forex Software but as we know that there is no advantages without disadvantages; so, one of the most disadvantages in Meta Trader4 that there is conflict in SRV files in its configuration.

For An Example:

FXCM Meta Trader 4: After installing FXCM Meta Trader4, you will find in C:/ driver a folder named Program Files

C:\Program Files\FXCM Trader 4 this is the extension of the FXCM Meta trader 4

Open the folder that called "config" you will find FXCM-Demo.srv and FXCM-Live.srv

SGB (Swiss Global Broker) also have the same Forex Software but under their name Meta Trader 4.

I want you to run the setup of this software & go the same extension again [C:\Program Files\Swiss Global Broker\config], Open also [C:\Program Files\FXCM Trader 4\config]

The Same Folders, The Same Software make some version of windows rewrite the files in these folders with different names

The Result:

That you will be able to be connected with two kinds of servers through one program!

What Is The Link Between SigmaForex And North Finance

Question: Is SigmaForex Partner with FXCM?

Question: Is SigmaForex Partner with North Finance?

Question: Is SigmaForex Partner With Interbankfx?

Answer: For Sure SigmaForex is an independent broker.

Question: Why I see in the statement of SigmaForex Another broker.

Answer: Because you don't follow the instructions of Meta Trader 4

Question: What are these instructions?

Answer: 1^st You have to make sure that your new installation is separated from the other installations that already exist.

Question: Please, open a channel of understanding for me

Answer: Tell You What?!

Look there is a problem in Meta Trader which is that most of brokers are using it as a trading station. Also most of traders are using it without any suffer because it's so easy & so simple while trading.

But because most of brokers are using it so you may find a conflict inside your Meta trader & another Meta Trader for a different broker inside our PC.

For Example: SigmaForex & North finance: the both are different brokers

After installing Meta Trader of SigmaForex & After Installing the Meta Trader of North Finance I found SigmaForex-Demo inside North Finance Meta Trader 4! I thought they are related to each others but the truth is that they are different independent brokers, but while installing one of them a file has been transferred from one Meta Trader to the other.

Open C:\Program Files\MetaTrader - SigmaForex\config

Open C:\Program Files\FxPro MetaTrader\config

You Will find SigmaForex.srv

SRV file is a linkage between your setup & the server of the broker, so if one or more from these files transferred from one setup to another it will show you two brokers in the same Platform!

Thanks For These Information

SigmaForex Doesn't Have Any Errors

Strange And unbelievable!
Meta Trader 4 has the option that you can enter more than type of account for different brokers through the same platform.
For Example If You installed SigmaForex Platform, you will find in your drive C:/ the following Pass: [C:\Program Files\MetaTrader – SigmaForex]
If you installed another Meta Trader 4 for another broker a conflict can be occurred because 2 Meta Trader 4 but for different Brokers.
Let's Continue our example with another broker like FXCM or Interbankfx or Swiss Global Broker. All of them are using Meta Trader 4 as trading station. Let's Install FXCM Software.You will find this pass in your Drive C:/ [C:\Program Files\FXCM Trader 4]
N.B: Some Versions of windows copy the same folders while installing the same version of the software .

That You may find FXCM installed inside SigmaForex & this one from the disadvantage in Meta Trader 4 & Meta Quote published this issue in their FAQs to be available for Traders to solve the issue.
The Solution is to open the platform that you are using e.g.: SigmaForex. Then Open A folder called Config. [C:\Program Files\MetaTrader - SigmaForex\config]
You have to erase All SRV files for other brokers & just leave SigmaForex-Demo.svr and SigmaForex-live.svr

And here's the post of the Meta quote from their website:
"Client terminal allows you to connect to any MetaTrader 4 Server. If you connected to another company's server from your client terminal, the parameters of that connection were stored in a special configuration SRV file in the "\MetaTrader 4\config\" folder of the client terminal.To remove foreign servers from the server list of your client terminal, just go to the "\MetaTrader 4\config\" folder of the client terminal and delete the unn.

SigmaForex Doesn't Have Any Errors

Strange And unbelievable!
Meta Trader 4 has the option that you can enter more than type of account for different brokers through the same platform.
For Example If You installed SigmaForex Platform, you will find in your drive C:/ the following Pass: [C:\Program Files\MetaTrader – SigmaForex]
If you installed another Meta Trader 4 for another broker a conflict can be occurred because 2 Meta Trader 4 but for different Brokers.
Let's Continue our example with another broker like FXCM or Interbankfx or Swiss Global Broker. All of them are using Meta Trader 4 as trading station. Let's Install FXCM Software.You will find this pass in your Drive C:/ [C:\Program Files\FXCM Trader 4]
N.B: Some Versions of windows copy the same folders while installing the same version of the software .

That You may find FXCM installed inside SigmaForex & this one from the disadvantage in Meta Trader 4 & Meta Quote published this issue in their FAQs to be available for Traders to solve the issue.
The Solution is to open the platform that you are using e.g.: SigmaForex. Then Open A folder called Config. [C:\Program Files\MetaTrader - SigmaForex\config]
You have to erase All SRV files for other brokers & just leave SigmaForex-Demo.svr and SigmaForex-live.svr

And here's the post of the Meta quote from their website:
"Client terminal allows you to connect to any MetaTrader 4 Server. If you connected to another company's server from your client terminal, the parameters of that connection were stored in a special configuration SRV file in the "\MetaTrader 4\config\" folder of the client terminal.To remove foreign servers from the server list of your client terminal, just go to the "\MetaTrader 4\config\" folder of the client terminal and delete the unn.

Foreign Exchange Market

FOREX (Foreign Exchange) is the largest financial market in the world, and includes trading between large banks, (Central banks, Commercial Banks, Investments Banks) currency speculators, multinational corporations, governments, and other financial markets and institutions.

The average daily trade in the global FOREX and related markets currently is over US$ 3 trillion where all the transactions achieved over the counter (OTC) that there is no specific place for trading.It began with gold exchange between countries.

As a country's economy strengthened, its imports would increase until the country ran down its gold reserves, which were required to support its currency. As a result, the money supply would diminish, interest rates escalate and economic activity slowed to the point of recession.

Ultimately, prices of commodities would hit bottom, appearing attractive to other nations, who would rush in and amid a buying frenzy inject the economy with gold until it increased its money supply, driving down interest rates and restoring wealth into the economy. Such boom-bust patterns abounded throughout the gold standard until World War I temporarily discontinued trade flows and the free movement of gold.

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Bretton Woods Agreement

The Bretton Woods Agreement in 1944, fixed national currencies against the dollar, and set the dollar at a rate of USD 35 per ounce of gold. The agreement was aimed at establishing international monetary steadiness by preventing money from taking flight across countries, and to curb speculation in the international currency market. Due to the World War II, the economy of many nations has suffered. During the sixties, however, national economies moved in different directions which paved way to its collapse.

The Agreement was finally abandoned in 1971, and the US dollar would no longer be convertible into gold. By 1973, currencies of major industrialized nations became more freely floating, controlled mainly by the forces of supply and demand which acted in the foreign exchange market. Prices were floated daily, with volumes, speed and price volatility all increasing throughout the 1970s, giving rise to new financial instruments, market deregulation and trade liberalization.

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Transactions in foreign exchange

In the 1980s, cross-border capital movements accelerated with the advent of computers and technology, extending market continuum through Asian, European and American time zones. Transactions in foreign exchange rocketed from about $70 billion a day in the 1980s, to more than $1.5 trillion.While FOREX has been traded since the beginning of financial markets, on-line retail trading has only been active since about 1996.

The FOREX market is a non-stop cash market where currencies of nations are traded, typically via brokers. Foreign currencies are constantly and simultaneously bought and sold across local and global markets and traders' investments increase or decrease in value based upon currency movements. Foreign exchange market conditions can change at any time in response to real-time events.

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Currency Trading

Currency trading can trace its history back to the middle ages when international merchant banker devised the system of using bills of exchange. It is however changes which have occurred during the twentieth century which have really shaped trading in the global currency market we see today.
In the 1930s the British pound was considered to be the world’s principle trading currency and was the currency held by many countries as their main ‘reserve’ currency. London was also seen as the world’s leading foreign exchange center.
Following the Second World War however the British economy was all but destroyed and so the United States dollar took over as the world’s major trading and reserve currency - a position which it still holds today.

This said however there are now a number of other currencies, including the Japanese Yen and the Euro, which are also beginning to be seen as major reserve currencies.

It was also following the Second World War that a number of events took place which have been instrumental in shaping today’s Forex market.
The first of these was the conclusion of the Bretton Woods Accord in 1944 in which the United States, Britain and France agreed that they would stabilize world currency markets by pegging the major world trading currencies to the US dollar (which was itself pegged to the price of gold).

This accord held that when the price of a currency fluctuated by more than one percent against the US dollar then the central bank of the country in question had to step in and buy or sell the currency to bring it back into its one percent bracket.






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