The US dollar is the most widely used currency in the world, serving as the official currency of the United States and being used as a reserve currency by many other countries. The dollar’s dominance can be traced back to the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1944, which established the US dollar as the world’s primary reserve currency. Today, the dollar is used in international trade, investment, and finance, making it a key player in the global economy. Representing almost 4% of global forex volumes, the Australian dollar rounds out the top five currencies in the world.

This is due to Australia being a major exporter of commodities such as coal and iron ore. As a result, commodity prices and global demand strongly influence the price of the Aussie. This means that central and commercial banks hold it throughout the world for investments and daily transactions. According to the Bank for International Settlements, the USD has a daily trade volume of $2.2 trillion.

The Hong Kong dollar is the official currency of Hong Kong and the ninth most traded globally, accounting for a daily average volume of US$117 billion.1 Unlike many of the other currencies on this list, HKD is not a major reserve currency. The United States Dollar is the most widely used currency in the world, accounting for approximately 60% of all global reserves. The USD is recognized as the world’s primary reserve currency, and it is used in international trade and finance.

• The system was popular because it meant that with gold-backed currency there were fewer chances that incompetent individuals could mess up currency exchange rates.
• Mostly paired with the US dollar, yen and renminbi, the A$ replaced the Australian pound (a relic from the nation’s status as a British colony), in 1966.
• The outlook for borrowers is essentially that interest rates may be higher for even longer unless the trade war fizzles out, or the economy suffers so badly from the global implications that the Bank has to release the brakes.
• The Euro is the second most widely used currency in the world, and it is commonly used in international trade and finance.
• He said there is a time lag between the announcement of tax rises and the fruits of higher spending, which has “contributed to negative sentiment”.

The Hong Kong dollar is the official currency of the special administrative region of China, Hong Kong. First introduced in 1863, the HKD is managed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) to ensure its stability. The status of Hong Kong as a leading financial hub is a key factor in the currency’s prominence on the global stage, despite not being a reserve currency. Japan is renowned for its advanced products, including motor vehicles, electronics, and machinery, establishing the country’s industrial sector to play a crucial role in determining the value of the yen.

This material does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. You should not treat any opinion expressed in this material as a specific inducement to make any investment or follow any strategy, but only as an expression of opinion. This material does not consider your investment objectives, financial situation or needs and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for you.

Omega offers a global business account to help with this, offering the chance to store more than 20 major currencies in local bank accounts, making it easier to operate in a global environment. With Clear Currency, you can access competitive exchange rates and make international transfers in minutes. Our friendly team of currency specialists can offer guidance on risk mitigation tools designed to protect your bottom line, which could save you more of your money. Great Britain has existed for centuries, but the pound sterling was introduced to the country in 1971.

What Are the Top 10 Strongest Currencies?

CFDs are leveraged instruments and can result in losses that exceed deposits, so please ensure rising wedge forex that you fully understand, and are aware of, the risks and costs involved. This brings us to the USD/JPY (US dollar/ Japanese yen) pairing, also often considered to be a safe haven during times of market uncertainty. The GBP/USD, or ‘the cable’, pairs the Great Britain pound (GBP) with the US dollar (USD).

• Most currencies are “floating,” meaning their value fluctuates depending on demand and supply.
• All forms of investments carry risks and trading CFDs may not be suitable for everyone.
• It is both the most used currency in the world on foreign exchange markets and the strongest currency in the world.
• The foreign exchange market is the largest in the world, with an average of $6.6 trillion in trades per day.

Forex pairs explained

Whether you want to choose a pair for forex trading or you are a business that wants access to the most-used currencies, knowing the top traded currencies can help you navigate global markets. Japan has one of the largest GDPs in the world, ranking just behind China and the United States. The value of NZD is strongly dependent on New Zealand’s trading relationships, the value of the country’s imports and exports, and the strength of trading partners’ currencies. Its main exports are agricultural products – particularly dairy and meat products – while its main imports are oil, machinery and cars. The euro is the official currency of the European Union (EU) and the second most traded globally, accounting for a daily average volume of nearly US$1.1 trillion.1 It is issued by the European Central Bank (ECB). According to the Bank for International Settlements, the USD accounts for a daily average volume of $7.5 trillion.

Why Are These Currencies Strong?

The value of shares, ETFs and ETCs bought through an IG share trading account can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Please consider the Margin Trading Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Risk Disclosure Notice and Target Market Determination before entering into any CFD transaction with us. Here we take a look at each of the top 10 most traded currencies in turn and explain some of the factors that can affect their values relative to other currencies. Forex trading involves risks like market volatility, leverage, and the potential for loss.

The New Zealand dollar is the official currency of New Zealand and the tenth most traded globally, accounting for a daily average volume of US$68 billion. New Zealand’s official currency is the NewZealand dollar, and it stands as the tenth most traded currency in the world. Issuedby the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, it contributes to an average volume ofUS$68 billion per day.

Even so, the country was divided about this and several provinces had their own currencies until an 1858 law made the Canadian dollar the country’s only legal tender. Today, the Canadian dollar is one of the top ten most traded world currencies. In the 20th century, countries used to peg their currency to the gold standard. This meant that a country’s currency was directly tied to the value of gold.

Top 10 Cocoa Producing Countries in the World

Here we take a look at the top 10 most traded currencies, which are involved in nearly 90% of trades. The monetary policies of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand can also have an effect, particularly the interest rates offered and how these compare to those offered by other banks globally. The currency is likely to appreciate when interest rates are relatively high compared to those on offer in other countries and depreciate when they are relatively low. The EUR/USD has stayed hot on the back of interest rate changes and economic recovery indicators. This pair has consistently registered robust trading volumes (thanks to its deep liquidity and tight spreads) accounting for as much as 25% of the total forex market. The global financial landscape continues to evolve, with certain currencies emerging as dominant players on the world stage.

(Hong Kong law dictates all newly created HKD must be backed by an equal sum of US dollars held in deposit). Viewed as a stable pass-through currency to mainland China’s markets, HKD accounts for 1.77% of global forex volumes and is commonly paired to USD and CHY. The Federal Reserve (Fed) issues the USdollar which is the country’s official currency. It contributes to an averagevolume of US$2.9 trillion per day, making it the most traded currency in theworld.

Some have questioned whether Hong Kong will retain its significance due to its relationship with China. While Hong Kong is largely controlled by China, its currency is pegged to the US dollar (meaning their value is linked). Canada’s currency might be known as the “loonie,” but fear not — it’s named after the common loon bird and doesn’t allude to insanity. Here are the 10 most family-friendly countries in the world in 2025 according to Remitly, an American money transfer company. Share dealing and IG Smart Portfolio accounts provided by IG Trading and Investments Ltd, CFD accounts and US options and futures accounts are provided by IG Markets Ltd, spread betting provided by IG Index questrade fx Ltd.

New Zealand Dollar

Homeowners coming islamic forex accounts to the end of their fixed rate terms will likely face “considerably higher” monthly repayments than they’re used to, she says. “Rising inflation is a concern, but as we’ve seen throughout the cost-of-living crisis, high interest rates are a blunt stick hitting workers and their families the hardest.” A figure of 50 would represent two 0.25 percentage point interest rate cuts by the bank, taking Bank rate to 4% in December. LSEG data shows two further reductions, that had been fully priced in for 2025 ahead of today’s rate decision, are no longer guaranteed as far as investors are concerned. The prospects for future interest rate cuts this year have suffered a blow, according to the latest financial market forecasts.