forex training

Introduction
Welcome to National Futures Association’s e-learning program for retail off-exchange foreign currency trading. As the industrywide self-regulatory organization for the U.S. futures industry, NFA is committed to providing innovative programs and services that protect investors and ensure market integrity. We’ve always believed that one of the best ways to protect investors is to provide them with the materials they need to make informed trading decisions.

The off-exchange foreign currency, or forex, market is a large, growing and liquid financial market that operates 24 hours a day. It has no central trading location or exchange with many buyers and sellers. Most of the trading is conducted by telephone or through electronic trading networks. Banks, insurance companies, large corporations and other large financial institutions all use the forex markets to manage the risks associated with fluctuations in currency rates. In recent years, however, a number of firms have begun offering forex contracts to individual investors. NFA regulates some, but not all, of these forex firms. Before you open an account with a forex firm, you should ask the firm if NFA regulates its forex activities. If the answer is no, find out who does regulate them.

Like many other investments, forex trading carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Forex trading requires constant monitoring and an understanding of the relationship between currencies, as well as what factors influence the currencies' value. If you are a retail investor considering trading in this market, you need to understand fully the market and some of its unique features.
One final note before we begin. This program does not suggest that you should or should not trade in the retail off-exchange foreign currency market. You should make that decision after consulting with your financial advisor and considering your own financial situation and objectives.
This program should serve as just one element of your due diligence.