The most expensive and the most traded currencies in the world

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The amount of inflation and interest rates, the extent of unemployment, GDP, fluctuations in stock prices, political tensions, changes in government, social unrest, or the type of foreign policy pursued, all these elements have an impact on the quotes of the currencies of individual countries and define which of them are the most powerful.

Previously, the strongest currency in the world was set by its relation to gold. Under the terms of the Bretton Woods Conference, only the dollar was convertible into gold. However, in 1971 the gold standard was abolished. Since then, exchange rates have fluctuated. Today, the most expensive currency is set by the strength of the issuing country and its economy. Several important factors apply:

1

the country’s economy (including GDP, inflation, import and export issues);

2

monetary policy pursued by the central bank of the country (most important are issues related to the supply of this currency);

3

reserves, which are the key to the monetary system of the state.

Corresponding changes in these parameters can lead to the strengthening or weakening of the currency compared to others. This is how the exchange rate fluctuates in the market.

In this article, the Traders Union looks at the strongest currencies in 2023, taking into account the nuances of price formation and other key factors of their respective countries. The TU will also pay attention to popular traded pairs and discuss liquid cryptocurrencies. At the end of the review, the experts at the Traders Union will name the three most reliable brokers for buying, selling, or investing.

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Top 8 strongest currencies in the world

In the early months of 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to drive movement in financial markets. A key factor for most currencies was the speed of vaccination of the population of each country. Since January 2023, attention has largely shifted to the situation in Ukraine and more traditional topics, namely macroeconomics and monetary policy. In recent months, the most important factor affecting financial markets has been a sharp increase in inflation. It is caused by a jump in energy prices and a significant shortage of supply.

Also in 2023, the top strongest currencies do not necessarily include those that are very popular. The highest exchange rates are achieved by the currencies of the Arabian Peninsula. The Arab countries are strong economically, but their currencies are not the most important. To some extent, the price of a currency is influenced by the popularity of its use in transactions. It is this demand that makes the currencies of the Arab countries not the most quoted, although their currencies are more expensive than that of many other nations.

Taking into account all the above facts, the experts at the Traders Union have compiled a list of the strongest currencies in the world and will explain each position in TU’s rating.

US Dollar (USD)

It is included in a limited group of reserve currencies that are most frequently used in financial transactions and is also part of the permanent reserves held by central banks worldwide. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that the share of the US currency in world reserves is almost 60%. For comparison, reserves in euros exceed just over 20%.

The dollar is subject to small fluctuations in value, so long-term investment in it can be a good decision.

Singapore dollar (SGD)

A dynamic and competitive economy undoubtedly affects the value of this currency. The high level of economic freedom in the state is also important. These mechanisms are demonstrated in the case of the Singapore dollar. Economic growth in the country, which has been ongoing since 2010, further stabilizes the currency. It is considered one of the strongest currencies in the world, highly valued and exchanged freely in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2020, the SGD has been ranked 13th in terms of frequency of convertibility on the global stage.

The Singapore dollar is closely linked to the Brunei dollar at a ratio of 1:1. Hence, both currencies are equally important in Brunei and Singapore, often being used interchangeably thanks to a currency exchange agreement between the two countries. In practice in Singapore, this principle is forgotten in everyday life, but in Brunei, some citizens have their savings in Singapore money.

The most common SGD banknotes in circulation are $2, $5, $10, $50, $100, and $1,000. The current series was first issued in 1999 and is paper-based.

Swiss franc (CHF)

The list of the strongest currencies in the world is not possible without the Swiss franc. The beginning of its history dates back to the period of French domination and the Napoleonic invasions. Since then, Switzerland has not experienced a single major war. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the Swiss Confederation decided on a single banknote valid throughout the country.

For many years, the CHF has been considered a safe investment asset. In general, Swiss francs tend to rise in value during economic crises and financial market turmoil. For this reason, it can be seen more as a way to preserve the value of money over time.

Since the introduction of the euro, the Swiss franc has lost its importance as a currency of diversification, mainly due to the growth in the quality of the new currency, based on the strong and stable economies of Western Europe. Only after the beginning of the crisis in the eurozone, did the Swiss franc once again become in demand by foreign investors. More expensive fuels, gas, and oil, as well as strong growth in the energy market, mean that the franc has attractive growth prospects.

Euro (EUR)

The financial crisis has significantly reduced the level of confidence in the foreign exchange market in the euro and the European Central Bank as an institution that manages a single monetary policy. Although the European currency is improving year by year, the effects of the economic downturn are still visible.

However, the currency introduced in the EU zone still enjoys huge confidence from the markets. This is explained by the fact that the EUR is a means of payment in all 19 countries of the European Union. The euro also participates in the money circulation of the other six countries that have adopted this currency voluntarily, including Kosovo, Andorra, and Montenegro.

The exchange rate of the European currency largely depends on the US dollar, so when the USD starts to strengthen in Forex, the euro weakens. Here the dependence is directly proportional. The EUR exchange rate is influenced by the economic and political situation in European countries. Unfortunately, the situation in Ukraine also negatively impacts the euro in the international arena. This is also true for inflation in the EU countries that use the euro as legal tender. However, in 2023 the euro is undoubtedly the strongest currency in Europe.

Jordanian dinar (JOD)

The currency is quoted at about $0.70 per 1 Jordanian dinar at the current rate. It, like the previously mentioned currencies, is pegged to the US dollar, which can help to benefit from a stable currency system. Jordan is a small country that does not have large natural or oil resources. Therefore, its energy needs depend on external sources.

Omani rial (OMR)

The OMR is currently worth a little over $0.39, which is why it is on the podium of the most expensive currencies in the world. The Omani rial was introduced in the 1970s and is also pegged to the US dollar. Accordingly, a tight exchange rate maintains the stability of the Omani currency and protects it from volatility.

The economy of the state depends on oil, and its price has an impact on the situation in the country. However, the Omani authorities are constantly trying to become independent of the cost of a commodity, so they are increasingly focusing on the development of tourism, production, and logistics.

Bahraini dinar (BHD)

The official currency of Bahrain means little in the world economy, yet its rate is still high. The Bahraini dinar is currently pegged to the US dollar. The state’s economy ranks 10th in the world in terms of freedom and is heavily dependent on oil and gas. In general, Bahrain has the fastest growing economy among the Arab nations, which is reflected in the strength of its currency.

Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)

This is the most expensive currency in the world in 2023. It was introduced into circulation in 1961, replacing the Persian Gulf rupee. However, during the Iraqi attack on Kuwait in 1990, Iraqi dinars were quoted for some time. After liberation, the Kuwaiti dinar returned with a new series of banknotes, marking economic growth. It is driven by the extraction of products such as oil and petrochemicals, so more than 80% of government revenue comes from the oil industry. It can be said that Kuwait is a tax-free country because the government does not collect income tax from citizens, and the unemployment rate is low.

What is the strongest currency in the world in 2024?

Undoubtedly, the strongest currency in 2023 is the Swiss franc because along with the Japanese yen and the US dollar, it belongs to the group of so-called “safe haven currencies”. In other words, those currencies attract capital during periods of financial and political instability.

Theoretically, the Russian ruble could become the next “guarantor of the preservation of value” this year due to the artificial restraint of the growth of the dollar. This is fiction. It seems that the collapse of the existing, albeit artificial, state of affairs can occur only in the event of a significant fall in commodity prices. However, until the Arab countries significantly increase oil production, and Europe does not find new suppliers, the ruble will only grow stronger.

The strongest (most actively traded) currency pairs in the world

A currency pair is a combination of values of two monetary units. One is evaluated through the prism of the other. As the name suggests, a currency pair consists of two currencies. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to their order.

1

the first is the base for which one unit will be measured;

2

the second is the quote currency and it evaluates one unit of the base currency.

The price of the pair reflects how much of the quoted currency you will need to buy the base currency.

According to a recent study by the Traders Union, the most traded currency pairs were those that belong to the major group. However, long-term traders pay attention not only to major pairs but also to exotic ones, as well as to crosses.

The most-traded Forex currency pairs are a combination of popular and strong currencies. These include currencies of:

EU and the USA (EUR/USD);

Great Britain and the USA (GBP/USD);

the USA and Switzerland (USD/CHF);

the USA and Canada (USD/CAD);

New Zealand and the USA (NZD/USD);

Australia and the USA (AUD/USD).

They are called major currency pairs, but are also known as “majors”. The Traders Union does not advise beginner traders to choose the most expensive currencies for trading. The TU believes that beginners should pay attention to the reserves, with the US dollar at the head and the so-called “safe” ones, such as the Swiss franc. The dollar is a trusted currency, just like gold. The franc, in turn, has a stable value.

Experienced profiteers may be more interested in adding exotic currencies to their investment portfolio, which analysts predict to have a chance to strengthen their value in the near future. This is in reference to the monetary units of the Arab countries.

The strongest and most traded digital currencies

A few years ago, many people did not believe that cryptocurrency had a chance as a future currency. Most people who were not investors had never heard of it. Recently, the popularity of cryptocurrency is gaining momentum, it is beginning to be used by an increasing number of global companies and platforms. Digital coins are stored in electronic wallets and can be transferred between them. The most interesting thing is that cryptocurrency does not have an issuing center and each digital wallet is a kind of bank.

Today, various types of cryptocurrencies operate, from the most expensive to little-known ones. The strongest cryptocurrencies in the world are Bitcoin (₿), Ethereum (Ξ), Litecoin (Ł), and Ripple. The first two are examined in detail below.

Bitcoin Ethereum

The planned emission of cryptocurrency is no more than 21 million. Therefore, with each halving, fewer and fewer coins are issued. The first Bitcoin cryptocurrency appeared after the financial crisis of 2008-2009 against the backdrop of declining confidence in the dollar, massive bankruptcies of financial institutions, loss of deposit savings by the general population, and inflation.

Bitcoin has the largest capitalization and the highest price. International companies that carry out financial transactions with the Bitcoin cryptocurrency are located in more than 43 countries. The US accounts for 55% of all Bitcoin agreements and transactions, compared to the UK’s 6% and Singapore’s 3%. Japan, South Korea, and China have 2% each, and the rest of the world has a combined total of 29%.

It is a decentralized blockchain platform built based on open-source code. It can do everything from transferring currency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to executing complex processes using smart contracts. Developers can run decentralized applications and new tokens built according to the ERC-20 standard on it.

Since Ethereum operates in a distributed manner, decentralized applications built on top of it are not subject to human manipulation. The cryptocurrency blockchain is public and easy to verify. This means that any user participating in the system can examine the code before interacting with it. It is the strongest cryptocurrency in the world.

The main difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum is that the latter is not a deflationary token, it is not limited in production, and it is also much more technologically advanced.

The best brokers for investing and trading currencies

Knowing what are the most expensive currencies in the world will not automatically make you become a successful trader. Of course, profitable trading primarily depends on skills and experience, but choosing a reliable brokerage company is equally important. The Traders Union recommends choosing licensed intermediaries who have been operating for a long time and have all the necessary permissions to provide financial services. The broker’s trading platform should be comfortable to use and easy to learn, as well as provide access to a large number of financial market instruments.

Below you will find the information about three brokers whose conditions are optimal for beginners and professionals. Their key benefits are:

positive client reviews and high ratings;

coverage of the entire world market;

availability of convenient mobile applications and trading terminals (in browser and desktop versions);

security provided by international auditors;

low commissions and no hidden fees;

small initial deposits, which is especially beneficial for beginners;

credibility due to a long time in the industry;

availability of additional services such as analytics, signals, educational programs, and materials.

Oanda is the best company in the USA and Great Britain

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Oanda is a brokerage company recognized as the best in the US and UK for “serious” traders. The platform provides its services to individual clients, as well as companies and corporations. However, the broker is also suitable for novice traders, because it does not impose requirements on the size of the minimum deposit and allows trading with leverage up to 1:200.

Main advantages of Oanda:

  • provision of universal trading platforms MT4 and MT5;

  • access to margin trading;

  • quotes from reputable liquidity providers;

  • competitive spreads;

  • licensed by four international financial regulators.

Oanda offers several account types for investors. They differ mainly in the size of the minimum commission and the terminal used. A trader who wants to create an account on the platform must first fill out a form with personal data, and select the type of trading platform, currency, account option, and leverage. It is also necessary to send a scan of an ID card and an income statement for verification.

RoboForex is the best in developing countries

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RoboForex is one of the popular brokers offering many trading platforms. The company has been operating since 2009 and is owned by RFG Holding. This is a large international investment structure, whose activities are regulated and controlled by the IFSC National Commission. In addition, RoboForex is a member of the Investment Compensation Fund. Since the beginning of its activity, the broker has been providing services at a high level, while offering innovative solutions and various tools so that every investor can find something that works for him.

The official website of RoboForex contains information materials on creating an account and working with the platform. The training section describes in detail all the nuances of making transactions and conducting various types of analysis. In case of any problems, support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Reasons why the Traders Union recommends the RoboForex broker are it offers:

  • a wide range of financial instruments of more than 12,000;

  • the possibility to work in both STP and ECN environments;

  • a large selection of accounts, including cent and demo;

  • leverage up to 1:2000;

  • tight spreads, and no commission for depositing and withdrawing funds;

  • access to the CopyFx social trading platform.

Investors shopping for the world’s strongest currencies on RoboForex can take advantage of numerous additional features. One of the most interesting is the economic calendar, which displays information about upcoming events that affect pricing.

IC Markets is the best in the Asian market

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Up to 75.93% of the broker’s non-professional clients incur losses when trading CFDs.

IC Markets is one of the biggest players in the Asian market where traders can open an account with leverage up to 1:500. Currently, it is not possible with European brokers. The company was founded in 2007 and offers services based on the ECN model and it is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). According to IC Markets management, clients have direct access to quotes on the interbank market, which provides high liquidity and ultra-fast order execution without delays.

The broker offers two platforms:

  • the first is the standard software known to many traders which are MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 (MT4/5) from MetaQuotes. The platform not only provides a familiar and trusted environment for clients to easily trade but also gives them access to a wide range of markets and products.

  • the second is cTrader, which is recommended for more advanced traders. When trading through cTrader, clients can expect a reduced commission. Through cTrader, IC Markets provides access to high liquidity across 64 currency pairs and 16 major stock indices.

Both platforms are available in mobile versions, which allows you to access the quotes of the most expensive currencies in the world almost anywhere and anytime.

FAQs

What impacts the exchange rate of the most powerful currencies in the world?

Currency quotes depend on several factors -such as the growth rate of a nation’s gross domestic products, the amount of public debt, and interest rates set by central banks. Also, the exchange rate is influenced by the balance in foreign trade, government policy, and additional activities of the country’s central bank.

Can we expect changes in the ranking of the most expensive currencies in the world in the future?

Not in the near future. Arab countries remain strong economically, so as long as oil remains a popular fuel, their currencies will remain expensive.

What is the strongest currency pair in the world?

Euro against US dollar (EUR/USD) is the strongest currency pair. Since 1999, the euro has been given priority as the base currency following the established standards of the European Central Bank. The pair is under the influence of both the US Federal Reserve and the ECB. The strongest currency, the dollar, affects the depreciation of the pair, and vice versa.

What are crosses in currency pairs?

These are cross-relations between currencies exchanged in majors, but without the US dollar. Their values are calculated based on the USD. This gives a clear signal that this particular currency practically rules the global economy. Crosses are much less liquid currencies with limited availability. Pairs with emerging market currencies (e.g., the Singapore dollar, Turkish lira, and Swedish krona) are classified as exotic pairs. They also appear in conjunction with the US dollar, that is, their value is calculated in relation to the USD.

Team that worked on the article

Rinat Gismatullin
Author and business expert

Rinat Gismatullin is an entrepreneur and a business expert with 9 years of experience in trading. He focuses on long-term investing, but also uses intraday trading. He is a private consultant on investing in digital assets and personal finance. Rinat holds two degrees in Economy and Linguistics.

Gismatullin has been an author at Traders Union since 2019. His focus is creation of detailed reviews of brokerage companies and cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as analytical and educational articles on finance.

Rinat’s motto: Always be open to new experiments. By overcoming the hardships you will reach the stars that open to those who seek.

Olga Shendetskaya
Author and editor at Traders Union

Olga Shendetskaya has been a part of the Traders Union team as an author, editor and proofreader since 2017. Since 2020, Shendetskaya has been the assistant chief editor of the website of Traders Union, an international association of traders. She has over 10 years of experience of working with economic and financial texts. In the period of 2017-2020, Olga has worked as a journalist and editor of laftNews news agency, economic and financial news sections. At the moment, Olga is a part of the team of top industry experts involved in creation of educational articles in finance and investment, overseeing their writing and publication on the Traders Union website.

Olga has extensive experience in writing and editing articles about the specifics of working in the Forex market, cryptocurrency market, stock exchanges and also in the segment of financial investment in general. This level of expertise allows Olga to create unique and comprehensive articles, describing complex investment mechanisms in a simple and accessible way for traders of any level.

Olga’s motto: Do well and you’ll be well!

Mirjan Hipolito
Cryptocurrency and stock expert

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO). Mirjan is a cryptocurrency and stock trader. This deep understanding of the finance sector allows her to create informative and engaging content that helps readers easily navigate the complexities of the crypto world.