Forex: The 24-Hour Global Market Where Money Never Sleeps
The World’s Biggest Market Hidden in Plain Sight
Have you ever wondered why the peso’s value seems to change every day when compared to the US dollar? Those fluctuations aren’t random — they come from a vast and constantly moving financial arena called the Foreign Exchange Market, or simply Forex.
Forex is where currencies are bought, sold, and exchanged by millions of traders worldwide. From banks and corporations to investors and everyday individuals, everyone participates in this global marketplace to profit from price movements between currencies.
And here’s the mind-blowing part — more than $7 trillion is traded daily. That makes Forex the largest financial market in the world, far bigger than the stock or commodities markets combined.
Forex: The Marketplace of Money
In simple terms, Forex trading is the act of exchanging one currency for another. Unlike the stock market, which revolves around company shares, Forex deals entirely with currencies. The most commonly traded ones include:
US Dollar (USD)
Euro (EUR)
Japanese Yen (JPY)
British Pound (GBP)
Philippine Peso (PHP)
When you trade, you’re working with currency pairs — two currencies quoted together to show their value relationship.
For instance:
EUR/USD – Euro vs. US Dollar
USD/JPY – US Dollar vs. Japanese Yen
GBP/USD – British Pound vs. US Dollar
If you believe the Euro will rise against the Dollar, you buy EUR/USD. When the Euro strengthens, you sell it later at a profit. If it weakens, you lose. That’s the essence of Forex trading for beginners — simple in concept, yet powerful in opportunity.
Why the Forex Market Never Sleeps
Forex operates 24 hours a day, five days a week — a feature that sets it apart from other financial markets. Why? Because it moves with the world’s time zones.
Here’s how the cycle works:
🔥 Sydney Session – Opens first and sets the tone for Asia-Pacific activity.
🔥 Tokyo Session – Covers Japan and much of Asia, where the JPY is heavily traded.
🔥 London Session – Europe takes over, with high liquidity in pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD.
🔥 New York Session – The U.S. joins in, driving major moves with the USD.
When one session closes, another opens — keeping trading continuous and vibrant around the globe.
For working Filipinos, this means you can learn and trade after office hours or even before work. The flexibility of Forex makes it one of the few financial markets accessible to people with full-time jobs or businesses.
How Traders Earn from Price Movements
The goal in Forex trading is simple: buy low and sell high — or the reverse if you’re betting a currency will fall.
Every second, exchange rates move based on factors such as:
➤ Economic data (e.g., GDP, inflation, employment reports)
➤ Central bank decisions (like interest rate hikes or cuts)
➤ Political events and global news
Example:
If you buy USD/PHP at 58.00 and sell it when it reaches 59.00, you’ve earned ₱1 per dollar traded. It might sound small, but with the right leverage and strategy, small movements can lead to meaningful gains.
However, risk is always part of the equation. Smart traders practice risk management — setting limits, using stop-loss tools, and never risking more than they can afford to lose. These techniques are vital for anyone serious about sustainable trading.
Why Forex Matters to Ordinary Filipinos
Forex isn’t reserved for bankers or billionaires anymore. Thanks to online trading platforms, anyone with an internet connection can participate through a regulated broker.
Understanding Forex can also help Filipinos in everyday life:
OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) can time remittances better when exchange rates are favorable.
Freelancers paid in foreign currencies can manage conversions wisely.
Small business owners can hedge against peso depreciation when importing goods.
By learning the basics of Forex, you gain insight into how money moves globally — and how to make smarter financial decisions right here at home.
Why the Numbers Matter
Every currency pair tells a story. When you see EUR/USD = 1.10, it means one Euro is worth 1.10 US Dollars. A movement to 1.11 signals Euro strength — a small but significant change that traders act on.
Understanding these movements isn’t just for profit — it helps you interpret economic events like inflation, policy shifts, or trade imbalances that affect your savings, investments, and even cost of living.
Your First Step Into the Global Market
Forex trading is more than just charts and numbers — it’s a real-time reflection of global economics, politics, and human decision-making.
For Filipinos seeking financial growth, flexibility, or global awareness, Forex offers an accessible path to learn and participate in the world’s largest financial network.
So next time you hear the peso rising or falling on the news, you’ll understand that behind those numbers is a 24-hour market — a world where money never sleeps.
Ready to start your journey?
Join our FREE Forex Workshop at Global Markets Eruditio and discover how Forex trading can help you take control of your financial future.
