The foreign exchange market, otherwise known as the forex or currency market, is about as old as the emergence of national currencies. It’s grown into the largest market on the planet, but remarkably, it hasn’t been very long since the general public has had easy access to trading in this area.

 

Since the beginning of the internet era in the 1990s, retail forex brokerages have emerged that have allowed individual traders—nearly anyone with internet access and a small amount of initial capital—to begin trading currencies. Opening an account for forex trading has become similar to the procedure for opening a bank account or other type of brokerage account. But before starting to trade on the forex market, it’s useful to consider some information that may help assure you that trading is a secure, positive and successful experience. 1.

 

PROCEDURE FOR OPENING A DEMO ACCOUNT

 

Opening a forex trading account is not complicated, but traders will need a few things to get started.

 

They will usually have to provide information on an application regarding their level of trading experience and knowledge, along with their trading intentions. They will also need to provide identification and make a minimum deposit of funds in their account.

 

The exact steps involved in opening an account may vary from brokerage to brokerage, but the procedure typically involves the following:

 

• Enter the broker’s website and review the account types of accounts available. These can include small-scale accounts with low minimum balances designed for beginning traders; or accounts with sophisticated features designed for active traders.

• Complete an application form.

• Upon completing the application, you will be registered with a demo username and password that will give you access to your account.

• Log in to the brokerage’s client portal if applicable and provided by the broker for the demo account.

• There is no need to transfer funds to a demo account as it is based on virtual money deposited by the broker as per their policies.

• Once your account has been virtually funded, you are now ready to start trading. At this point, you will want to review any recommendations or special details that your broker provides regarding use of their trading platform before actually making your first trade. Some brokerages may offer trading simulator programs to allow traders to practice before actually putting money into trading. 

 

TO USE MARGIN OR NOT

 

After opening a demo forex account, traders will have to decide whether to use margin or not. Margin can be considered a loan of funds from the brokerage to the trader so that the trader can “leverage,” or effectively multiply, the amount of capital they have available to make a trade.

 

Depending on the country they are operating from, traders may be allowed access to margin in a ratio to their initial capital up to anywhere from 50:1 to 400:1. The amount of margin they want to use will determine how much capital they will need to utilize in their account as a form of collateral for their trading activity. The use of margin can increase potential profits (not real profits), but it can also multiply risks (not real risk or loss), because traders will be responsible for covering any and all losses incurred in trading activity even those beyond their initial investment. 

 

SUMMARY

 

Opening a demo forex trading account is similar to opening other types of financial accounts. However, traders will want to carefully consider the reputation, services and costs of the available brokerages before making a commitment to depositing real funds and beginning trading with a particular firm.

 

Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites are provided as general market commentary and do not constitute investment advice. Axiom Traders Limited will not accept liability for any loss or damage including, without limitation, to any loss of profit which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information.

 

References

1.↑Retrieved 10 February 2017 http://www.nfa.futures.org/nfa-investor-information/publication-library/forex.pdf