In excess of £5 trillion is traded through the forex market on a daily basis, across three separate time zones during recurring, 24-hour periods. This is an incredible amount of money, and one that underlines the liquidity and appeal of the market to traders of all ages and descriptions. Make no mistake; however, this competitive market space is also an extremely challenging entity, thanks primarily to the incredible levels of volatility and uncertainty that underpins it.

3 Things that Forex Traders need if they are to be successful?

The unique and volatile nature of the market asks some serious questions of traders, particularly those who are inexperienced or used to less changeable investment vehicles. With this in mind, let’s take a look at three of the key tools and attributes that forex traders need if they are to be successful: 

1. A keen sense of Determinism

Let’s start with an often overlooked attribute that all forex traders need to possess. A keen sense of determinism helps traders to view the market from a rational perspective, which in turn enables them to avoid making decisions that have been influenced by short-term trends and emotional responses. Above all else, it allows traders to recognise the underlying and consistent laws that govern change within the market, creating the foundations for an investment strategy that can deliver returns regardless of the prevailing economic climate.

2. A Progressive, Online Trading Platform

There is no doubt it; online trading platforms have broken down many of the traditional barriers that used to surround the forex market. Most importantly, they provide inexperienced and knowledgeable traders alike with instant access to the real-time market, connecting them to analytical tools and live newsfeeds in the process. Not only is this type of resource crucial if you are to cope with the changeable nature of the market, but it also allows traders to select platforms that suit their outlook, experience and technical requirements (such as the device and the operating system that they are using to connect).

3. Theoretical and Practical Knowledge

While this may sound obvious, many aspiring traders fail to adequately build their knowledge in preparation for market trading. More specifically, while they may develop a strong theoretical base of knowledge they often fail to apply this practically as a way of honing their skills and developing effective investment strategies. An online brokerage platform can actually help in this respect too, as it provides investors with access to a demo-account that replicates a real-time trading experience in a simulated environment.

You can use this for as long as you like, as you look to develop practical experience of the market and identify the typical pitfalls that undermine traders.