A comprehensive guide to forex ratings and Amarkets currency pairs – learn how to evaluate brokers, explore over 70 currency pairs, understand spreads, leverage, and key trading risks.
Forex ratings are evaluation systems used to compare and assess forex brokers based on objective criteria. These ratings are typically published by independent review platforms, regulatory bodies, and trader communities. They help traders make informed decisions by providing a standardised way to evaluate brokers across key factors such as regulation, fees, platform quality, customer support, and overall reliability.
When you see a forex rating, it is usually a composite score derived from multiple data points. The most reputable rating platforms use transparent methodologies and update their ratings regularly to reflect changes in brokers' offerings or regulatory status. However, it is important to understand that ratings are subjective to some degree and should be used as one of many tools in your broker selection process.
In the context of Amarkets, forex ratings typically highlight the broker's strong regulation (CySEC, FSA Seychelles, FSCA), competitive spreads, and diverse range of currency pairs. These ratings can be found on platforms such as Trustpilot, Forex Peace Army, and various financial comparison websites.
📌 Key point: Forex ratings are not just about scores – they are about understanding the underlying factors that make a broker trustworthy, cost-effective, and suitable for your trading style. A high rating on one platform may not translate to a good fit for your specific needs.
Amarkets is a well-established forex and CFD broker that was founded in 2007. The broker is headquartered in Cyprus and operates under multiple regulated entities, including CySEC (license 334/17), FSA Seychelles, and FSCA South Africa. Amarkets provides access to over 70 currency pairs, indices, commodities, shares, and cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile choice for traders of all experience levels.
The broker is known for its competitive trading conditions, including tight spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its ECS account, flexible leverage up to 1:1000, and a choice of industry-leading platforms including MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Amarkets also offers copy trading and social trading features, allowing less experienced traders to follow and replicate the strategies of successful traders.
One of the standout features of Amarkets is its extensive range of currency pairs. With over 70 pairs available, traders can access major, minor, and exotic currencies, providing ample opportunities for diversification and strategy implementation.
Amarkets offers a comprehensive selection of over 70 currency pairs, covering all major categories. The table below summarises the key categories and examples.
| Currency Pair Category | Examples | Number of Pairs | Liquidity | Typical Spread (Standard) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major Pairs | EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, USD/CHF, AUD/USD, USD/CAD | 7 | Very High | 0.8 – 1.2 pips |
| Minor Pairs | EUR/GBP, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY, AUD/JPY, NZD/USD | 20+ | High | 1.5 – 3.0 pips |
| Exotic Pairs | USD/ZAR, USD/SGD, USD/TRY, EUR/TRY, USD/PLN | 40+ | Moderate | 3.0 – 10+ pips |
Source: Amarkets official instrument list. Spreads are variable and subject to market conditions.
Amarkets' extensive offering of exotic pairs, including emerging market currencies like the South African Rand (ZAR), Singapore Dollar (SGD), and Turkish Lira (TRY), is a significant advantage for traders looking to diversify beyond traditional major and minor pairs.
Major currency pairs are the most traded pairs in the forex market, accounting for the majority of trading volume. They involve the US Dollar (USD) paired with another major currency. Amarkets offers all seven major pairs.
📌 Tip: For beginners, trading major pairs like EUR/USD is recommended due to their high liquidity, tighter spreads, and the abundance of available analysis and news.
Minor pairs (crosses) do not include the US Dollar. Exotic pairs involve a major currency paired with a currency from an emerging or smaller economy. Amarkets offers a wide selection of both.
📌 Scenario: A trader with experience in emerging markets decides to trade USD/ZAR on Amarkets. They recognise that the pair is influenced by South African economic data, commodity prices (gold), and global risk sentiment. By using tight stop-losses and monitoring local news, they are able to capitalise on the pair's volatility while managing risk.
The trading conditions for currency pairs on Amarkets vary by account type. The table below compares the key features.
| Feature | Standard Account | ECS (ECN) Account | Cent Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spread (EUR/USD) | From 0.8 pips | From 0.0 pips | From 0.8 pips |
| Spread (USD/ZAR) | From 3.0 pips | From 1.5 pips | From 3.0 pips |
| Commission | None | $3 per lot per side | None |
| Leverage (max) | 1:1000 | 1:1000 | 1:1000 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | $10 |
Source: Amarkets official account specifications. Spreads are variable and subject to market conditions. Leverage may be restricted for certain jurisdictions (e.g., retail clients under CySEC are capped at 1:30).
The ECS account offers the tightest spreads and is ideal for traders who trade frequently or focus on pairs with wider spreads (like exotics). The Standard account is commission-free and suitable for most traders, while the Cent account is perfect for beginners who want to trade with smaller amounts.
When evaluating a broker like Amarkets for trading currency pairs, consider the following rating criteria. Use this checklist to assess a broker's suitability.
Amarkets generally scores well on these criteria, particularly on regulation, instrument range, and platform choice.
📌 Scenario: A trader opens an ECS account on Amarkets to trade exotic pairs like USD/ZAR. They execute 5 trades per day, each of 1 lot. The commission of $3 per side per lot results in $6 per round-turn trade. Over a month (100 trades), the total commission is $600. If they had used the Standard account with no commission, they would have saved this cost, although they would have paid a slightly wider spread. By calculating the total cost per trade, they could have chosen a more suitable account type.
Amarkets offers leverage that can significantly amplify both profits and losses. A small adverse price movement can result in the loss of your entire deposit. The CFTC and IOSCO consistently warn that retail forex trading often results in losses.
Key risks to consider when trading currency pairs on Amarkets:
Never trade with money you cannot afford to lose. Consider seeking independent financial advice if you are unsure about your risk tolerance. This article does not constitute personalised financial, legal, or tax advice.
Amarkets offers over 70 currency pairs, including major pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, etc.), minor pairs (EUR/GBP, GBP/JPY, etc.), and exotic pairs (USD/ZAR, USD/SGD, USD/TRY, etc.).
Yes, Amarkets offers USD/ZAR as part of its exotic currency pair selection. This allows traders to speculate on the US Dollar vs the South African Rand.
On the Standard account, spreads start from 0.8 pips. On the ECS (ECN) account, spreads start from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3 per lot per side.
Yes, Amarkets is regulated by CySEC (license 334/17), FSA Seychelles (SD018), and FSCA South Africa (FSP 49485). The level of protection depends on the entity holding your account.
The minimum deposit is $100 for Standard, Swap Free, and ECS accounts, and $10 for the Cent account. Payment method minimums may vary.
Yes, Amarkets provides free demo accounts for MT4 and MT5, allowing traders to practice and test the platform without financial risk.
Leverage can be up to 1:1000, but it is capped at 1:30 for retail clients under CySEC regulation due to ESMA guidelines.
You can verify Amarkets' regulation by checking the CySEC register (license 334/17), the FSA Seychelles register, or the FSCA register (FSP 49485). Always confirm directly with the regulator.