What is scalping?
In forex trading, scalping is a trading strategy where traders aim to profit from small price movements by making a high volume of trades. The goal of scalping is to make a quick profit by buying and selling currencies within seconds or minutes, with the aim of making a profit from the bid-ask spread.
Scalping typically involves using technical analysis to identify short-term price movements in the market. Traders using this strategy will usually employ high leverage to magnify the potential gains from each trade, and they will often close their positions as soon as they make a profit, even if the profit is only a few pips.
Scalping is a very fast-paced and high-risk trading strategy, as the market can move very quickly, and small price movements can result in significant gains or losses. This approach is not recommended for novice traders, as it requires a high level of skill and experience to execute successfully.
Best Currency Pairs For Scalping
Forex scalping is a popular trading strategy that involves making quick profits from small price movements in the currency market. One of the key factors that can determine the success of scalping is the choice of currency pair. While there are numerous currency pairs available for trading, not all of them are suitable for scalping. The best currency pairs for scalping are those that have high liquidity, tight spreads, and low volatility. In this intro, we will explore some of the top currency pairs for scalping in the forex market, along with their key features and benefits. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trader, understanding the best currency pairs for scalping can help you improve your trading performance and maximize your profits.
Types of best currency pairs for scalping
There are several types of currency pairs that are considered to be the best for scalping in forex trading. These currency pairs typically have certain characteristics that make them more suitable for this trading strategy. Here are some of the types of currency pairs that are favored by scalpers:
- Major currency pairs: Major currency pairs, such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY, are some of the most liquid and widely traded currency pairs in the forex market. They are highly popular among scalpers because they have tight spreads, high liquidity, and low volatility, which make them ideal for quick trades.
- Cross currency pairs: Cross currency pairs, such as EUR/GBP and GBP/JPY, are currency pairs that do not include the US dollar as one of the currencies. These pairs are also popular among scalpers because they often have higher volatility than major currency pairs.
- Exotic currency pairs: Exotic currency pairs, such as USD/ZAR and USD/TRY, are currency pairs that include currencies from emerging market economies. While they can be more volatile than major or cross currency pairs, they also have higher spreads which can make them hard to scalp.
- Commodity currency pairs: Commodity currency pairs, such as AUD/USD, NZD/USD, and USD/CAD, are currency pairs that are closely correlated with commodity prices. They are popular among scalpers because they can offer high volatility, especially during periods of economic news releases and market events.
Major currency pairs
The major currency pairs are some of the most liquid and widely traded currency pairs in the forex market, and they are also considered to be some of the best currency pairs for scalping. The major currency pairs include:
- EUR/USD (Euro/US Dollar)
- GBP/USD (British Pound/US Dollar)
- USD/JPY (US Dollar/Japanese Yen)
- USD/CHF (US Dollar/Swiss Franc)
- USD/CAD (US Dollar/Canadian Dollar)
- AUD/USD (Australian Dollar/US Dollar)
- NZD/USD (New Zealand Dollar/US Dollar)
These currency pairs are highly popular among traders due to their high liquidity, low transaction costs, and tight spreads. They also offer a wide range of trading opportunities, as they are often influenced by major economic events and news releases from their respective countries. However, it’s important to note that while these currency pairs are considered to be the best for scalping, traders should still conduct thorough research and analysis before executing any trades to minimize potential risks and maximize profits.
Cross currency pairs
Cross currency pairs are currency pairs that do not involve the US dollar as one of the currencies, and they are also considered to be some of the best currency pairs for scalping in forex trading. Some of the popular cross currency pairs for scalping include:
- EUR/GBP (Euro/British Pound)
- GBP/JPY (British Pound/Japanese Yen)
- EUR/JPY (Euro/Japanese Yen)
- AUD/NZD (Australian Dollar/New Zealand Dollar)
- EUR/CHF (Euro/Swiss Franc)
- GBP/CHF (British Pound/Swiss Franc)
These currency pairs often offer lower spreads and higher volatility than major currency pairs, which can make them attractive to scalpers. However, traders should also be aware that cross currency pairs can be more unpredictable and subject to greater market risks due to the absence of the US dollar, which is considered to be a safe-haven currency. As with any trading strategy, proper risk management is essential when scalping cross currency pairs in the forex market.
Exotic currency pairs
Exotic currency pairs are currency pairs that involve currencies from emerging market economies, and they can also be considered among the best currency pairs for scalping in forex trading. Some of the popular exotic currency pairs for scalping include:
- USD/ZAR (US Dollar/South African Rand)
- USD/TRY (US Dollar/Turkish Lira)
- USD/MXN (US Dollar/Mexican Peso)
- USD/SGD (US Dollar/Singapore Dollar)
- USD/BRL (US Dollar/Brazilian Real)
- USD/HKD (US Dollar/Hong Kong Dollar)
These currency pairs can offer wider spreads and higher volatility than major or cross currency pairs, which can make them difficult to trade for scalpers. They can also be subject to greater market risks and unpredictable price movements, which requires careful risk management and analysis. It’s important to note that scalping exotic currency pairs can be more challenging due to the limited liquidity and availability of information about these markets, so traders should be aware of these factors when considering trading these pairs.
Commodity currency pairs
Commodity currency pairs are currency pairs that are closely correlated with commodity prices, and they are also considered to be among the best currency pairs for scalping in forex trading. Some of the popular commodity currency pairs for scalping include:
- AUD/USD (Australian Dollar/US Dollar)
- USD/CAD (US Dollar/Canadian Dollar)
- NZD/USD (New Zealand Dollar/US Dollar)
- USD/NOK (US Dollar/Norwegian Krone)
- USD/RUB (US Dollar/Russian Ruble)
These currency pairs can offer high volatility, especially during periods of economic news releases and market events related to the commodity markets. As commodity prices can fluctuate rapidly, scalpers can take advantage of these price movements to execute quick trades and generate profits. However, traders should also be aware of the risks associated with trading commodity currency pairs, such as the potential for sudden price movements due to geopolitical events or changes in supply and demand. Proper risk management and analysis is essential when scalping commodity currency pairs in the forex market.
Final Thoughts
In summary, scalping is a popular trading strategy in the forex market, and choosing the best currency pairs for scalping can be crucial for a trader’s success. Major currency pairs, cross currency pairs, exotic currency pairs, and commodity currency pairs are all viable options for scalping, depending on the trader’s preferences and market conditions.
However, it’s important to note that scalping requires a high level of skill, discipline, and risk management, as scalpers are typically looking to profit from small price movements in a short period of time. Scalping can also be more challenging than other trading strategies, as traders must be able to execute trades quickly and accurately, and deal with the volatility and unpredictability of the markets.
Ultimately, the best currency pairs for scalping will depend on the trader’s individual style, experience, and risk appetite. It’s important to conduct thorough research and analysis, as well as to develop a solid trading plan and strategy, in order to achieve success with scalping in the forex market. It also requires a broker with tight spreads, low commission fees and quick execution speeds. IC Markets is my top choice of broker for scalping using manual and automated forex strategies.
Self-confessed Forex Geek spending my days researching and testing everything forex related. I have many years of experience in the forex industry having reviewed thousands of forex robots, brokers, strategies, courses and more. I share my knowledge with you for free to help you learn more about the crazy world of forex trading! Read more about me.
