globalfinancialatlas

Foreign Exchange Markets & Forex

Foreign Exchange Markets & Forex

A map of the global foreign exchange market, analysed by size, trading volumes, major currencies, geographical distribution and operators.

  • Every day, banks, companies, governments, funds and investors use the Forex market for international payments, risk hedging, liquidity management and financial transactions.
  • This page analyses the global foreign exchange market by trading volumes, major financial centres, most traded currencies, geographical distribution and operators.

Global Forex Market

A snapshot of the world’s largest financial market

The foreign exchange market (Forex) is the world’s largest financial market by trading volume. Every day, central banks, financial institutions, multinational companies, investment funds and private operators trade currencies for commercial, investment and risk-hedging purposes.

Thanks to its high liquidity and continuous 24-hour trading, Forex is an essential infrastructure of the global economy. Analysing its size, geographical distribution and leading operators helps explain the development of international financial flows and the functioning of the global monetary system.

Sources: BIS Triennial Survey 2025, IMF, World Bank, national central banks and official reports from leading international operators.