Today, the FOREX market is a nonstop cash market where currencies of nations are traded, typically via brokers. Foreign currencies are continually and simultaneously bought and sold across local and global markets. The value of trader' investments increases or decreases based on currency movements. Foreign exchange market conditions can change at any time in response to real-time events.

The main attractions of short-term currency trading to private investors are:

- 24-hour trading, 5 days a week with nontsop access to global FOREX dealers.

- An enormous liquid market, making it easy to trade most currencies.

- Volatile markets offering profit opportunities.

- Standard instruments for controlling risk exposure.

- The ability to profit in rising as well as falling markets.

- Leveraged trading with low markgin requirements.

- Many options for zero commission trading.