The forex market runs 24 hours a day, five days a week — but that does not mean every hour is worth trading. Knowing when to trade is just as important as knowing what to trade. This guide breaks down the global sessions, when the market is most active, and the best (and worst) times to place your trades.
Is forex open 24 hours?
Yes. Forex trades continuously from Sunday evening to Friday evening because it follows the business hours of major financial centres around the world. As one region closes, another opens, so the market never sleeps during the week — but it does close on weekends.
The four major forex sessions
Activity is organised into four sessions named after key financial hubs. Times below are approximate in GMT and shift slightly with daylight saving:
Session
Hours (GMT)
Character
Sydney
21:00 – 06:00
Quiet open of the week
Tokyo (Asian)
00:00 – 09:00
Moderate; JPY, AUD, NZD active
London (European)
08:00 – 16:00
High volume — the biggest session
New York (US)
13:00 – 21:00
High volume; USD and news-driven
The best time to trade: session overlaps
The most active — and usually the best — time to trade is when two sessions are open at once, because liquidity and volatility peak:
London–New York overlap (13:00–16:00 GMT) — the prime window. The two largest sessions run together, giving the tightest spreads and the biggest moves of the day.
Tokyo–London overlap (around 08:00 GMT): a smaller pickup as Europe comes online.
If you can only trade for a couple of hours a day, the London–New York overlap is usually where the best opportunities are.
Best times for specific markets
EUR/USD and GBP/USD: most active during London and New York.
USD/JPY, AUD/USD, NZD/USD: liveliest during the Asian session.
Gold (XAU/USD) and US indices: follow the London–New York window and US data — see our gold trading guide.
Best days of the week to trade
Tuesday to Thursday are typically the most active, trend-friendly days.
Monday often starts slow while the market finds direction.
Friday afternoon winds down as liquidity thins before the weekend.
When to avoid trading
Right into major news (rate decisions, NFP, CPI) unless you have a clear plan — spreads widen and prices whipsaw.
Late New York / daily rollover, when liquidity is thin.
Late Friday and weekends, when the market is closing or shut.
A simple rule for beginners
Trade the London–New York overlap, mid-week, with a plan — and sit out the quiet, low-liquidity hours. Good timing beats long hours in front of the screen. New to the basics? Start with our forex for beginners guide.
Risk warning: Trading forex and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for everyone. You could lose some or all of your invested capital.
Frequently asked questions
What is the single best time to trade forex?
The London–New York overlap, roughly 13:00–16:00 GMT, when liquidity and volatility are highest.
Is forex open on weekends?
No. The market closes Friday evening and reopens Sunday evening (GMT). Crypto markets, however, trade through the weekend.
What is the best time to trade gold?
Gold is most active during the London–New York overlap and around major US data releases.
Can I trade forex at night?
Yes — the Asian session runs through the night in Europe/US time and suits pairs like USD/JPY and AUD/USD.
Do the best times change with daylight saving?
Yes. Session times shift by about an hour when clocks change, so adjust the GMT windows accordingly.
Leverage is one of the most powerful — and most misunderstood — tools in trading. Used wisely, it lets you trade meaningful positions with a small deposit. Used carelessly, it can drain an account fast. This guide explains exactly what leverage is, how it works with real examples, the risks, and how much you should actually use.
What is leverage in forex?
Leverage is borrowed buying power from your broker that lets you control a larger position than your own cash would allow. It is written as a ratio such as 1:200, which means every $1 of your money can control $200 in the market. At SCapitalFX you can trade with leverage up to 1:200 — so $500 could control a position worth up to $100,000.
What is margin? (leverage’s twin)
Margin is the flip side of leverage: the amount of your own money set aside to open a leveraged trade. The higher the leverage, the smaller the margin needed:
At 1:200, margin = 0.5% of the position size
At 1:100, margin = 1%
At 1:20, margin = 5%
How leverage works: a real example
Say you want to trade 1 standard lot of EUR/USD (100,000 units) at a price of 1.0800. The full position is worth $108,000.
Without leverage, you would need the full $108,000.
At 1:200, you only need about $540 in margin ($108,000 ÷ 200).
Now see how it magnifies the result. If EUR/USD moves 1% in your favour, that is about +$1,080 — more than double your $540 margin. But a 1% move against you is -$1,080, far more than your margin. That is the double-edged nature of leverage: it multiplies profits and losses equally.
Leverage by asset class at SCapitalFX
Maximum leverage depends on the market, because some assets are more volatile than others:
Asset
Maximum leverage
Forex majors (EUR/USD, GBP/USD…)
1:200
Gold (XAU/USD)
1:100
Indices (US30, US500…)
1:50
Crypto (BTC, ETH)
1:20
More volatile assets get lower leverage to protect you from outsized swings.
Margin call and stop-out: the safety nets
If losses eat into your margin, two levels kick in to limit the damage:
Margin call (100%): a warning that your equity has dropped to your used margin — top up or reduce risk.
Stop-out (50%): if equity keeps falling to half your used margin, positions are closed automatically to prevent further losses.
These protect you, but never rely on them — always set a stop-loss yourself.
How much leverage should a beginner use?
The key insight: having access to 1:200 does not mean you should use all of it. The smart approach is to:
Think in terms of risk per trade (1–2% of your balance), not maximum position size.
Use leverage to free up capital — not to take giant positions.
Risk warning: Trading on leverage carries a high level of risk. It magnifies losses as much as gains, and you could lose your invested capital quickly. Use leverage responsibly and never risk money you cannot afford to lose.
Frequently asked questions
What does 1:200 leverage mean?
It means $1 of your money can control $200 in the market — so you only need about 0.5% of a position’s value as margin.
Is high leverage good or bad?
Neither by itself — it is a tool. It is helpful for capital efficiency but dangerous if you oversize positions. The risk comes from position size, not the leverage number alone.
How much margin do I need?
Divide the position value by the leverage. A $20,000 position at 1:200 needs $100 in margin; at 1:20 it needs $1,000.
Can I lose more than I deposit?
The stop-out level closes positions at 50% margin to limit losses, but fast markets can still cause large, rapid losses — which is why a stop-loss is essential.
What leverage is best for beginners?
Use small effective leverage while learning: trade micro lots, risk 1–2% per trade, and keep most of your balance unused.
Gold has been a store of value for thousands of years, and today it is one of the most popular markets in the world to trade. Known by its ticker XAU/USD, gold offers strong trends, deep liquidity and almost round-the-clock action — which is why traders of every level keep it on their watchlist.
This complete guide explains how to trade gold (XAU/USD) step by step: how it works, what moves the price, how much money you need, the best times to trade, beginner-friendly strategies, and how to control your risk. Every number below uses real SCapitalFX conditions, so you know exactly what to expect.
What is XAU/USD (gold)?
XAU/USD is the symbol for gold priced in US dollars. “XAU” is the international code for one troy ounce of gold, and “USD” is the US dollar — so the price simply tells you how many dollars one ounce of gold costs. If XAU/USD is 3,000, one ounce of gold is worth $3,000.
When you trade gold at SCapitalFX you trade it as a CFD (contract for difference). You do not buy physical bars or coins — you trade the price movement. The big advantages:
You can profit (or lose) whether gold goes up — you “buy” / go long — or down — you “sell” / go short.
You can use leverage to control a larger position with a smaller deposit.
There is nothing to store or insure, and you can enter and exit in seconds.
How gold trading actually works (the numbers most guides skip)
Here is exactly how gold is structured on the platform — the concrete details that decide your profit, loss and cost:
Symbol: XAU/USD
Contract size: 1 standard lot = 100 ounces of gold
Minimum trade size: 0.01 lot (a “micro lot” = 1 ounce)
Maximum leverage:1:100
Spreads from: $0.08 (Raw account) or $0.25 (Standard account)
How profit and loss work: because one standard lot is 100 ounces, every $1 move in the gold price equals $100 of profit or loss on a 1-lot position. A micro lot (0.01) is 1 ounce, so each $1 move is worth just $1 — ideal for beginners who want to keep risk small while they learn.
What a gold trade really costs
Your cost is the spread (and, on a Raw account, a small commission). Here is the round-turn cost of trading one standard lot of gold:
Standard account
Raw account
Spread (from)
$0.25 / oz
$0.08 / oz
Spread cost per lot (100 oz)
~$25
~$8
Commission
None
$6 round-turn / lot
Total cost per lot
~$25
~$14
Max leverage
1:100
1:100
Min trade size
0.01 lot (1 oz)
0.01 lot (1 oz)
So trading a full lot of gold costs roughly $14 on a Raw account ($8 spread + $6 commission) versus about $25 on Standard — one reason active gold traders often choose Raw. See our Standard vs Raw account guide for the full comparison.
What moves the price of gold?
Gold does not pay interest or dividends — its price is driven by supply, demand and sentiment. The main forces are:
The US dollar. Gold is priced in dollars, so it usually moves inversely to the USD. A weaker dollar tends to lift gold; a stronger dollar tends to weigh on it.
Interest rates. When central banks (especially the US Federal Reserve) raise rates, holding non-yielding gold becomes less attractive. Rate cuts often support gold.
Inflation. Gold is widely seen as an inflation hedge, so rising inflation expectations can increase demand.
Safe-haven demand. During wars, crises or market panic, investors move into gold for safety, which can cause sharp rallies.
Central-bank and physical demand. Large buying by central banks, plus jewellery and industrial demand, shape the long-term trend.
You do not need to predict all of this. Most beginners do better watching the US dollar and major US data releases, and trading with the trend.
Practise on a demo. Get comfortable placing, modifying and closing gold trades with virtual money first.
Fund your account. The fastest low-cost method is crypto — you can deposit with USDT, BTC and 50+ coins.
Open the XAU/USD chart. Find gold in your watchlist and study the trend on a higher timeframe (like the 4-hour or daily) before zooming in.
Decide buy or sell. Going long if you expect gold to rise, short if you expect it to fall.
Set your stop-loss and take-profit. Always decide your exit before you enter.
Choose your position size. Start with micro lots (0.01) so each $1 move is only $1.
Place the trade and manage it. Follow your plan — don’t move your stop further away just to avoid a loss.
A simple worked example
Suppose gold is trading at $3,000 and you go long 0.10 lots (10 ounces). You set a stop-loss $10 below and a take-profit $20 above:
If gold rises $20 to $3,020, your profit is 10 oz × $20 = +$200.
If gold falls $10 to $2,990 and hits your stop, your loss is 10 oz × $10 = -$100.
That is a 2:1 reward-to-risk trade — a healthy ratio to aim for as a beginner.
How much money do you need to trade gold?
Less than most people think. Thanks to micro lots and 1:100 leverage, you can start small:
Margin: at 1:100 you only need about 1% of the position’s value as margin. For a 0.10-lot trade (10 oz) with gold near $3,000, the position is worth about $3,000 and needs roughly $30 in margin.
Risk per trade: the bigger limit is your risk, not your margin. Gold can move $20–$50 in a day, so size your trades so a normal move can’t wipe you out.
You can open a Standard account from just $10, but for gold specifically we suggest a little more buffer so your stop-loss has room. New to position sizing? Read how to start trading with $10 and the fundamentals in our forex trading for beginners guide.
The best times to trade gold
Gold trades nearly 24 hours a day, but liquidity and volatility are not equal across the day. The most active window is the London–New York overlap:
Session
Approx. time (GMT)
What to expect
Asian
00:00 – 08:00
Quieter, narrower ranges
London
08:00 – 16:00
Volatility picks up
London–New York overlap
13:00 – 16:00
Most active — biggest moves
New York
13:00 – 21:00
Driven by US data and the dollar
Gold is especially reactive to US news such as Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP), CPI inflation data and Federal Reserve (FOMC) decisions. These can cause sudden, large moves — exciting but risky for beginners.
Gold trading strategies for beginners
Trend following. Gold trends strongly. Identify the direction on a higher timeframe, then enter pullbacks in that direction. “The trend is your friend” applies well to gold.
Breakout trading. Gold often consolidates, then breaks out sharply. Mark key support and resistance levels and trade the break, with a stop on the other side of the level.
Range trading. In quiet periods gold bounces between support and resistance. Buy near support, sell near resistance, and stop out if the range breaks.
News and safe-haven moves. Advanced traders position around risk events. Beginners should usually wait until after the volatility settles rather than guessing the direction.
Pick one strategy, practise it on demo, and master it before adding more.
Risk management for gold
Gold is more volatile than most currency pairs, so risk control is essential:
Risk only 1–2% of your balance per trade. On a $500 account that’s $5–$10 of risk — which means small positions and sensible stops.
Always use a stop-loss. Gold’s fast moves can be brutal without one.
Respect leverage. 1:100 is powerful; using the maximum on every trade is the quickest way to lose an account.
Size from your stop, not your margin. Decide how many dollars you’ll risk, divide by your stop distance, and that gives your position size.
Avoid trading right into major news until you have experience.
Common gold-trading mistakes to avoid
Using too much leverage and oversizing positions
Trading without a stop-loss
Chasing price after a big move instead of waiting for a setup
Ignoring the US dollar and interest-rate backdrop
Revenge trading after a loss
Why trade gold with SCapitalFX?
Tight gold spreads from $0.08 on a Raw account
Leverage up to 1:100 and micro lots from 0.01
Fast crypto funding — start with USDT, BTC and 50+ coins
A free demo so you can practise gold trades risk-free first
Risk warning: Trading gold and other CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for every investor. Gold can be highly volatile and you could lose some or all of your invested capital. Never trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
Frequently asked questions
Is gold (XAU/USD) good for beginners?
Yes, with care. Gold trends well and is easy to follow, but it is volatile — so start with micro lots, use a stop-loss, and practise on a demo first.
How much money do I need to start trading gold?
You can open an account from $10, and a 0.10-lot trade needs only around $30 in margin at 1:100. For comfortable risk control on gold, a slightly larger balance gives your stop-loss more room.
What does it cost to trade gold?
From about $14 round-turn per standard lot on a Raw account ($8 spread + $6 commission), or about $25 on a Standard account (spread only, no commission).
What leverage can I use on gold?
Up to 1:100, meaning roughly 1% of the position value is needed as margin. Higher leverage increases both potential profit and potential loss.
When is the best time to trade gold?
The London–New York overlap (about 13:00–16:00 GMT) is the most active. Gold also moves sharply around US data like NFP, CPI and Fed decisions.
Can I trade gold on my phone?
Yes. You can trade XAU/USD from the SCapitalFX mobile app with live charts, multiple timeframes and instant execution.
Can I make money when gold falls?
Yes. Because you trade gold as a CFD, you can go short (sell) to profit from falling prices, just as you go long (buy) to profit from rising prices.
Is XAU/USD the same as spot gold?
Yes — XAU/USD is the spot price of one ounce of gold in US dollars, which is what you trade as a CFD here (no futures expiry to worry about).
Your trading app is where everything happens — placing trades, reading charts, managing risk and funding your account. A slow or clunky app costs you money. So what actually makes a good forex trading app, and how does the SCapitalFX app measure up? Here’s a practical checklist.
What to look for in a forex trading app
1. Fast, reliable execution
When you tap buy or sell, the order should fill instantly at the price you expect. Slippage and requotes eat into profits. SCapitalFX uses instant execution with no dealing desk and no requotes, so your orders go through cleanly.
2. Powerful but clear charting
You need enough tools to analyse the market without drowning in complexity. The SCapitalFX app offers 9 timeframes and 8 built-in indicators — enough for real technical analysis, presented in a clean mobile-first design.
3. A wide range of instruments
A good app lets you trade more than just a few pairs. SCapitalFX gives you 34 instruments across forex, metals, indices, energy and crypto from one account, with leverage up to 1:200.
4. Easy, low-cost funding
Funding should be quick and affordable. SCapitalFX supports crypto deposits with 50+ coins (USDT, BTC, ETH and more), so you can fund in minutes — see our crypto funding guide.
5. Low entry and transparent costs
You shouldn’t need a big balance to start. SCapitalFX accounts begin from $10, with a choice of Standard or Raw Spread pricing so you only pay for what you need.
6. A demo mode
The best apps let you practice first. A free demo account lets you learn the interface and test strategies before risking real money.
7. Security and language support
Look for secure logins and an interface in your own language. The SCapitalFX app is fully localised in 14 languages, including right-to-left support for Arabic and Farsi.
Why a mobile-first app matters
Markets move at any hour. A capable mobile app means you can manage open trades, set stop-losses and react to news from anywhere — not just when you’re at a computer. For new traders especially, having charts and your account in your pocket makes it far easier to build consistent habits.
How to get the SCapitalFX app
You can download the SCapitalFX app for your device, or use the web app straight from your browser. New to trading? Start with our beginner’s guide and practice on demo before going live.
Risk warning: Trading forex and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for every investor. You could lose some or all of your invested capital.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free demo on the app?
Yes. You can practice with a free demo account before trading real money.
What can I trade on the app?
All 34 SCapitalFX instruments — forex, metals, indices, energy and crypto — with leverage up to 1:200.
Can I fund the app with crypto?
Yes, with 50+ cryptocurrencies including USDT, BTC and ETH. See the funding guide.
Forex is the largest financial market in the world, with trillions of dollars changing hands every day. The good news for newcomers: the basics are simpler than they look. This beginner’s guide explains how forex trading works, the key terms you need, and exactly how to place your first trade — the right way.
What is forex trading?
Forex (foreign exchange) trading is the act of buying one currency while selling another, in the hope that the exchange rate moves in your favour. Currencies are always traded in pairs, such as EUR/USD (euro vs US dollar). If you think the euro will rise against the dollar, you buy EUR/USD; if you think it will fall, you sell it.
Beyond currencies, most brokers — including SCapitalFX — also let you trade metals (like gold), indices, energy (like oil) and crypto using the same account. In total you can trade 34 instruments at SCapitalFX.
The key terms every beginner needs
Currency pair: two currencies quoted together, e.g. GBP/USD. The first is the base, the second is the quote.
Pip: the smallest standard price move, usually the 4th decimal place (0.0001). It’s how profit and loss are measured.
Spread: the small gap between the buy (ask) and sell (bid) price. This is your main trading cost on a Standard account.
Lot: the size of your trade. A standard lot is 100,000 units; a micro lot (0.01) is 1,000 units — ideal for beginners.
Leverage: borrowed buying power that lets you control a larger position with a smaller deposit (e.g. 1:200). It magnifies both profits and losses.
Margin: the deposit required to open a leveraged position.
Going long / short: buying (long) if you expect a rise, selling (short) if you expect a fall.
How a forex trade actually works
Imagine EUR/USD is priced at 1.0850. You believe the euro will strengthen, so you buy one micro lot. If the price rises to 1.0860, that’s a 10-pip gain. On a micro lot each pip is worth about $0.10, so your profit would be roughly $1. If the price instead falls to 1.0840, you’d be down about $1. Scale the lot size up and those numbers grow — in both directions. That’s why position sizing and risk control matter so much.
What moves the forex market?
Interest rates set by central banks
Economic data such as inflation, employment and GDP
Geopolitics and global risk sentiment
Supply and demand for each currency
You don’t need to predict all of this. Most beginners do better focusing on a few pairs and a simple, repeatable strategy than trying to follow everything at once.
Choose your account type. Beginners usually start with a Standard account (from $10). As you get more active, a Raw account can lower costs — compare them in Standard vs Raw.
Practice on a demo. Learn the platform and test ideas with virtual money first.
Place your first trade. Start with a micro lot, set a stop-loss and a take-profit, and keep your risk tiny while you learn. Our $10 starter guide walks through this.
Risk management: the part that keeps you in the game
More beginners fail from poor risk control than from bad market calls. Build these habits from day one:
Risk only 1–2% of your balance per trade.
Always use a stop-loss — decide your exit before you enter.
Keep leverage modest. The ability to use 1:200 doesn’t mean you should max it out.
Have a plan for every trade: entry, stop, target, and position size.
Common beginner mistakes to avoid
Trading too big for the account size
Skipping the stop-loss
Revenge trading after a loss
Chasing every market move instead of waiting for good setups
Risking money you can’t afford to lose
Trading on your phone
You can do all of this from the SCapitalFX mobile app, with live charts, multiple timeframes and instant execution. See what to look for in a good forex trading app.
Risk warning: Trading forex and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for every investor. You could lose some or all of your invested capital. Make sure you understand the risks and never trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to start forex trading?
At SCapitalFX you can start a Standard account from $10, so you can begin with a very small amount while you learn.
Is forex trading hard for beginners?
The mechanics are simple to learn, but trading well takes practice and discipline. Starting on a demo and using small sizes shortens the learning curve.
What is the best currency pair for beginners?
Major pairs like EUR/USD are popular with beginners because they are liquid and have tight spreads.
Can I lose more than I deposit?
Trading on leverage is risky and losses can be rapid. Use stop-losses, keep positions small, and only trade with money you can afford to lose.
You don’t need thousands of dollars to begin. At SCapitalFX you can open a Standard account from just $10, which makes it one of the most affordable ways to start trading forex. But starting small the right way matters — this guide shows you how to start forex trading with $10 and actually learn something, instead of blowing the account on day one.
Can you really start forex with $10?
Yes. A $10 deposit is enough to open a live Standard account and place real trades using micro lots (0.01 lots). A small account won’t make you rich quickly, but it is perfect for one thing that is valuable: learning to trade with real money and real emotions, at a risk level you can afford.
Choose Standard. It has no commission and the lowest $10 entry — ideal for a small starting balance. (See Standard vs Raw accounts for the difference.)
Deposit. The fastest low-cost option is crypto — you can fund from $10 with USDT, BTC and 50+ coins.
Step 2: Understand what $10 can actually do
With leverage up to 1:200, a $10 balance can control more than $10 of currency — but leverage cuts both ways. The realistic approach with a micro account is to trade the smallest size (0.01 lots) and accept that profits and losses will be measured in cents at first. That is exactly what you want while you are learning.
Think of your first $10 as the cost of a trading education, not a get-rich scheme. Traders who treat a small account seriously — keeping records, following a plan — are the ones who are ready when they scale up.
Step 3: Protect your account with risk management
Risk a tiny amount per trade. A common rule is to risk only 1–2% of your balance on any single trade. On a small account that means very small positions and tight stop-losses.
Always use a stop-loss. Decide your exit before you enter. It removes emotion and caps the damage.
Don’t over-leverage. Just because you can open a large position doesn’t mean you should. High leverage is the fastest way to lose a small account.
One or two trades at a time. Focus beats spraying trades across the market.
Step 4: Practice on a demo first
Before risking even $10, run a free demo account to learn the platform, test your strategy and get comfortable placing, modifying and closing trades. When your demo results are consistent, switch to live with your $10.
Step 5: Grow slowly and add as you learn
The goal of a $10 account isn’t to turn it into $10,000 — it’s to build good habits. As your skills improve, you can top up your balance, increase position sizes gradually, and eventually move to a Raw Spread account for tighter costs once you trade more actively.
Risk warning: Trading forex and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for every investor. You could lose some or all of your invested capital. Never trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
Frequently asked questions
Is $10 enough to make money in forex?
It is enough to trade and learn, but realistic profits on $10 are very small. The real value early on is education and building discipline — not income.
What can I trade with $10?
You can trade micro lots (0.01) across forex, metals, indices, energy and crypto. Lower-priced, lower-margin instruments are easier to size on a small balance.
When you open an account at SCapitalFX you choose between two account types: Standard and Raw Spread. They trade the same 34 instruments on the same app with the same leverage — the only real difference is how you pay your trading cost. This guide breaks down both, with a real cost example, so you can pick the right one.
The core difference in one sentence
On a Standard account your cost is built into a slightly wider spread and you pay no commission. On a Raw Spread account you get near-zero raw spreads and pay a small, transparent commission instead.
Standard account
Spreads from 1.0 pip on EUR/USD
No commission — one simple cost
Minimum deposit from $10
Best for beginners and casual traders who want simplicity
With a Standard account there is nothing extra to calculate: the spread is your cost. That makes it easy to understand when you are starting out.
Raw Spread account
Spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD
$6 round-turn commission per lot ($3 to open + $3 to close)
Minimum deposit from $50
Best for active traders, scalpers and higher-volume traders
Because the spread is stripped back to raw interbank pricing, the Raw account usually works out cheaper once you trade liquid pairs in size — even after the commission.
Standard vs Raw: side by side
Feature
Standard
Raw Spread
Spreads from
1.0 pip (EUR/USD)
0.0 pips (EUR/USD)
Commission
None
$6 round-turn / lot
Minimum deposit
$10
$50
Max leverage
Up to 1:200
Up to 1:200
Instruments
34 (FX, metals, indices, energy, crypto)
34 (same)
Best for
Beginners, casual traders
Active traders, scalpers
A real cost example (1 lot of EUR/USD)
Let’s compare the round-turn cost of trading one standard lot of EUR/USD, where 1 pip is worth about $10:
Standard: 1.0 pip spread = about $10, no commission → ~$10 total
Raw Spread: 0.0 pip spread = about $0, plus $6 commission → ~$6 total
In this example the Raw account is around 40% cheaper per trade. The more often you trade and the larger your size, the more that difference adds up — which is why active traders usually prefer Raw, while beginners often start with Standard for its simplicity.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Standard if you are new to trading, you trade occasionally, or you want the simplest possible pricing with a low $10 entry.
Choose Raw if you trade frequently, scalp, or trade larger sizes and want the tightest spreads with a clear, fixed commission.
Risk warning: Trading forex and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for every investor. You could lose some or all of your invested capital.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Raw account always cheaper?
For liquid major pairs traded in reasonable size, Raw is usually cheaper once you include the commission. For very small or infrequent trades, the simplicity of Standard can be more convenient.
Can I open both account types?
Yes — many traders keep a Standard account for casual trades and a Raw account for active trading. You can switch between your accounts inside the app.
How is the Raw commission charged?
It is $6 per round-turn lot — $3 when you open the trade and $3 when you close it — charged automatically.
Do both accounts have the same leverage and instruments?
Yes. Both offer leverage up to 1:200 and access to all 34 instruments across forex, metals, indices, energy and crypto.
Funding a forex account with cryptocurrency is one of the fastest and most accessible ways to start trading — no bank transfer, no card, and no waiting days for money to clear. At SCapitalFX you can deposit using USDT, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and 50+ other cryptocurrencies, which is especially convenient for traders in regions where card or bank funding is slow or unavailable.
This guide explains how crypto funding works, why so many traders prefer it, and how to make your first deposit step by step.
Why fund a forex account with crypto?
Speed. Crypto deposits are typically credited shortly after the required network confirmations — often minutes, instead of the 1–3 business days a bank wire can take.
Accessibility. You don’t need a credit card or an international bank account. If you hold crypto in a wallet or on an exchange, you can fund your account.
Global reach. Crypto works across borders, which is ideal where local payment methods are limited.
Low friction. No card declines, no chargebacks, and no surprise currency-conversion fees from your bank.
Which cryptocurrencies can you use?
SCapitalFX supports 50+ cryptocurrencies for deposits. The most popular choices are:
USDT (Tether) — a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, so its value doesn’t swing while you transfer. Available on multiple networks (such as TRC20 and ERC20).
Bitcoin (BTC) — the most widely held cryptocurrency.
Ethereum (ETH) — fast and widely supported.
Many traders prefer USDT for funding because it is a stablecoin: 100 USDT stays worth about $100, so you always know exactly how much is landing in your trading account.
How to fund your account with crypto (step by step)
Go to Deposit. In the app, open the deposit screen and choose Cryptocurrency.
Select your coin and network. Pick the coin you hold (for example USDT) and the matching network. This step matters — the network you choose must match the one you send from.
Copy the deposit address. The app shows a unique wallet address (and usually a QR code). Copy it exactly, or scan the QR.
Send from your wallet or exchange. Paste the address, enter the amount, and confirm the transfer.
Wait for confirmations. Your deposit is credited automatically once the blockchain confirms the transaction.
Avoid the most common funding mistakes
Match the network. Sending USDT on the wrong network (e.g. ERC20 vs TRC20) is the #1 cause of stuck deposits.
Send a small test first if it’s your first deposit and you’re unsure.
Double-check the address. Crypto transactions can’t be reversed, so copy and paste carefully.
How much do you need to start?
SCapitalFX keeps the entry low. You can open a Standard account from just $10 (no commission, spreads from 1.0 pip) or a Raw Spread account from $50 (spreads from 0.0 pips plus a $6 round-turn commission per lot). Not sure which to pick? Read our guide on Standard vs Raw accounts.
Can you withdraw in crypto too?
Yes. The same crypto rails that fund your account can be used to withdraw your profits back to your wallet. Withdrawals are sent to the wallet and network you specify, so — again — make sure the network matches.
Is crypto funding safe?
Crypto transfers themselves are secured by the blockchain. To keep your funds safe: only send to the address shown inside your verified SCapitalFX account, never share your wallet’s private keys, and always confirm the network before sending.
Risk warning: Trading forex and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for every investor. You could lose some or all of your invested capital. Only the amount you deposit into your trading account is used for trading.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum crypto deposit?
You can start a Standard account from $10. Network fees charged by your sending wallet are separate and depend on the coin and network you use.
Which coin is best for funding?
For most traders, USDT is the simplest because it is a dollar stablecoin — its value stays steady while you transfer.
How long does a crypto deposit take?
Usually minutes, once the network confirms your transaction. Congested networks can take a little longer.
Do I still need to verify my identity?
Yes. Account verification (KYC) is part of opening your account, regardless of how you fund it.
Start trading at SCapitalFX
Funding with crypto means you can go from sign-up to your first trade in minutes. Open your account or try a free demo to practice first, and explore all account types and trading conditions to see what fits you best.
