Forex Basics: Setting Up an Account

Foreign exchange (forex or FX) trading consists of buying and selling world currencies, and the marketplace is the most liquid in the world. Forex trading is unique because it allows individual investors to try and compete with large hedge funds and banks—they just need to set up the right account.

Forex brokers generally offer  three main types of trading accounts—standard, mini, and managed—and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Which type of account is right for you depends on your tolerance for risk, the size of your initial investment, and the amount of time you have to trade on a daily basis.

Key Takeaways

• To trade forex you’ll need to choose what type of account is best suited to your skill, knowledge, and experience.
• The most common is a standard account with 100:1 leverage and standard lots up to $100,000 in notional value.
• Mini accounts reduce the maximum lot size to just $10,000 and are intended for beginners, more risk-averse traders, or those with limited funds.
• For those who would rather have a professional portfolio manager make your trades, a managed account might be worth the additional fees.

Standard Trading Accounts

The standard trading account is the most common. This account gives the user access to standard lots of currency each worth $100,000.

That does not mean that you have to put down $100,000 of capital in order to trade. The rules of margin and leverage (typically, 100:1 in forex) mean that only $1,000 needs to be in the margin account for one standard lot to be traded.

The Pros

Service: The standard account requires adequate up-front capital to trade full lots, hence forex brokers tend to provide more services and better perks for individual investors who have this type of account.

Gain Potential: Each pip is worth $10, and if a position moves your way by 100 pips in one day, the gain will be $1,000. Such gains are not possible with any other account type unless more than one standard lot is traded.

The Cons

Capital Requirement: Most brokers require standard accounts to have a starting minimum balance of at least $2,000 and sometimes $5,000 to $10,000.

Loss Potential: Just as you have the opportunity to gain $1,000 if a position moves with you, you could lose $1,000 in a 100-pip move against you. This loss could be devastating to an inexperienced trader with just the minimum in an account.

This type of account is recommended for experienced, well-funded traders.

Mini Trading Accounts

A mini trading account is simply a trading account that allows traders to make transactions using mini lots. In most brokerage accounts, a mini lot is equal to $10,000, or one-tenth of a standard account. Most brokers offering standard accounts will also offer mini accounts as a way to bring in new clients who are hesitant to trade full lots because of the investment required.

The Pros

Low Risk: By trading in $10,000 increments, inexperienced traders can trade without worrying of losing an entire account, and experienced traders can test new strategies without risking too much capital.

Low Capital Requirement: Most mini accounts can be opened with $250 to $500, and they offers leverage of up to 400:1.

Flexibility: The key to successful trading is having a risk-management plan and sticking to it. It is a lot easier to achieve with mini lots than with standard lots, where the capital at stake is significantly higher.

The Cons

Low Reward: Low risks also mean lower rewards. Mini accounts that trade $10,000 lots can only produce $1 per pip of movement as opposed to $10 in a standard account. This type of account is recommended for beginning forex traders or those looking to dabble with new strategies.

Advisor Insight

Micro accounts, the sister account to the mini, are also available through some online forex brokers. These accounts trade in $1,000 lots and have pip movements worth 10 cents per point. These accounts are typically used for investors with limited foreign exchange knowledge and can be opened with as little as $25.

Managed Trading Accounts

Managed trading accounts are forex accounts in which the capital is yours but the decisions to buy and sell are not. Account managers handle the account just as stockbrokers handle a managed stock account, where you set the objectives (profit goals, risk tolerance, risk management rules) and the managers work to meet them.

There are two types of managed accounts:

1. Pooled Funds: Your money is put into a mutual fund with that of other investors, and the profits are shared. These accounts are generally categorized based on risk profile. A trader looking for higher returns would put their money into a pooled account that has a higher risk/reward ratio while a trader looking for a steady income would do the opposite. It’s advisable to always read the fund’s prospectus before investing.
2. Individual Accounts: A broker will handle each account individually, making decisions for each investor instead of the combined pool.

The Pros

Professional Guidance: Having a professional forex broker handle an account is an advantage that cannot be overstated. Additionally, if you want to diversify your portfolio without spending all day watching the market, this is also a great choice.

The Cons

Price: Be aware that most managed accounts will require a minimum $2,000 investment for pooled accounts and $10,000 for individual accounts. On top of this, account managers will keep a commission, called an account maintenance fee, which is calculated per month or per year.

Flexibility: If you see the market moving, you won’t have the flexibility to place a position. Instead, you’ll have to rely on the account manager to make the right call. Hence, managed accounts are generally target investors with spare capital and no time or interest in following the market.

How Much Money Do I Need to Open a Forex Trading Account?

To begin trading Forex, many brokers will require at least $1,000 of capital transferred to your account, although some discount brokers will allow you to open micro accounts with as low as $50.

How Do Forex Brokers Make Money?

If you have a forex account, your broker can make money from charging trading commissions or by charging a spread (or both). Some brokers may also charge a monthly account fee for services like software interfaces or access to special trading products such as exotic options. Managed accounts providers may instead charge a fee based on assets under management (AUM).

Is Forex Trading Risky?

Major currency pairs tend to be very liquid with and do not often exhibit levels of volatility associated with stocks. Still, forex trading can become risky due to the large amount of leverage (margin) afforded to currencies. This can range from 50:1 to 400:1 or higher. This means that for every $1 you have in your account, you can purchase $400 worth of currencies. This can amplify both profits and losses.

The Bottom Line

No matter what account type you choose, it is wise to take a test drive first. Most brokers offer demo accounts, which give investors an opportunity to use an account risk-free and try out different platforms and services.

As a basic rule of thumb, never put money into an account unless you are completely satisfied with the investment being made. With the different options available for forex trading accounts, the difference between being profitable and ending up in the red may be as simple as choosing the right type of account.

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