2. Forex Market Structure & Brokers

Forex is not just a chart on a screen—it is a massive network of global institutions, banks, governments, and traders all interacting at once. To trade effectively (or rely on an automated system like The Easy Pip), you must first understand who moves the market, how orders are executed, and how brokers operate.

This page gives you a crystal-clear understanding of the entire Forex ecosystem.

1. Who Participates in the Forex Market?

The Forex market is powered by several key participants. Each plays a different role, influencing liquidity, volatility, and price movements.

1. Central Banks

Central banks, such as:

  • Federal Reserve (USA)
  • European Central Bank (ECB)
  • Bank of England (BoE)
  • Bank of Japan (BoJ)

These institutions control monetary policy and interest rates, making them the most influential participants in the Forex market.

Their decisions affect:

  • Currency strength
  • Inflation
  • Economic stability

A single statement from a central bank can move a currency pair instantly.

2. Commercial & Investment Banks

Major banks execute the largest volume of Forex transactions.
They trade currencies for:

  • Large corporations
  • Government institutions
  • International payments
  • Internal hedging

Banks are also major liquidity providers—meaning they create the prices you see on your trading platform.

3. Hedge Funds & Financial Institutions

These players trade massive volumes to profit from:

  • Market speculation
  • Arbitrage opportunities
  • Macro-economic trends

Their activity often causes large market movements.

4. Corporations & Multinational Companies

Companies like Apple, Toyota, and Samsung trade Forex mainly to:

  • Pay for imports/exports
  • Hedge currency exposure
  • Meet international payroll liabilities

Their transactions influence long-term currency flows.

5. Retail Traders

Retail traders are individual investors trading through brokers using platforms like MT4 or MT5.

Although retail traders contribute less than 10% of daily volume, they still play a growing role due to:

  • Online broker accessibility
  • Automated trading systems

Increased global financial awareness

6. Automated Trading Systems & AI

Modern Forex markets are heavily influenced by automated systems, including:

  • Expert Advisors (EAs)
  • High-frequency trading algorithms
  • AI bots like The Easy Pip system

These systems process data rapidly and execute trades faster and more precisely than humans.

2. Types of Forex Brokers

Choosing a safe, reliable broker is one of the most important decisions a Forex trader makes. Brokers act as the bridge between you and the global currency market.

Here are the main broker types you’ll encounter:

ECN Broker (Electronic Communication Network)
What It Means:

ECN brokers connect traders directly with banks, liquidity providers, and other traders.

Advantages:
  • Tight spreads
  • Fast execution
  • Transparent pricing
  • No dealing desk manipulation
Best For:

Professional traders, scalpers, and automated systems.

 

STP Broker (Straight Through Processing)
What It Means:

Orders are passed directly to liquidity providers without manual intervention.

Advantages:
  • No dealing desk
  • Fixed or variable spreads
  • Faster execution than market makers
Best For:

Beginner to intermediate traders using manual or automated strategies.

Market Maker Broker
What It Means:

The broker acts as the counterparty to your trade.
If you buy, they sell. If you sell, they buy.

Advantages:
  • Fixed spreads
  • Easy account setup
  • Often beginner-friendly
Risks:
  • Potential price manipulation
  • Conflict of interest
  • Slippage and requotes may occur
Best For:

Absolute beginners with small accounts (but transparency varies by broker).

3. Choosing a Safe Broker (Essential Criteria)

Your broker is your trading partner. A reliable broker ensures safe, transparent, fast, and accurate trading.

Before choosing any broker, ensure they meet these criteria:

1. Regulation & Licensing

A regulated broker protects traders from fraud and ensures fair trading conditions.

Look for regulation from:

  • FCA (UK)
  • ASIC (Australia)
  • CySEC (EU)
  • DFSA (Dubai)
  • FSCA (South Africa)

Never trust a broker without verifiable regulation.

2. Trading Platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader)

A trusted broker must offer stable platforms like:

  • MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
  • MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
  • cTrader

These platforms allow you to:

  • Monitor charts
  • Analyze the market
  • Execute trades
  • Use automated strategies like The Easy Pip system
3. Spreads, Swaps & Commissions

Trading costs vary from broker to broker. Evaluate:

  • Spread size (difference between Bid and Ask)
  • Swap fees for overnight positions
  • Commission per trade (common in ECN accounts)

Low fees = higher profitability.

4. Order Execution Quality

A good broker offers:

  • Fast execution
  • Minimal slippage
  • No requotes
  • Reliable server uptime

Slow execution can cause losses, especially in volatile markets.

5. Deposit & Withdrawal Safety

Your funds must be protected at every step.

Check for:

  • Withdrawal reliability
  • No hidden charges
  • Multiple payment methods
  • Segregated client accounts

A serious broker never delays payments.

4. How Orders Are Executed in Forex

Understanding how your orders travel through the market is essential.
Here’s what happens when you execute a trade:

Step 1: You Place a Trade

You click BUY or SELL on MT4, MT5, or your trading system.

Step 2: The Broker Receives the Order

Depending on the broker model:

  • ECN/STP → order sent to liquidity providers
  • Market maker → broker takes the opposite side
Step 3: Order Routing

Your trade is matched with:

  • Banks
  • Institutional traders
  • Other retail positions
  • Liquidity pools
Step 4: Execution Speed

Trade execution speed depends on:

  • Broker’s servers
  • Liquidity availability
  • Market conditions (news events can slow execution)

High-frequency algorithms like The Easy Pip perform best with fast execution.

Step 5: The Trade Opens

The trade appears in your account with:

  • Entry price
  • Volume (lot size)
  • Spread cost
  • Applicable commissions
Step 6: Trade Management

Once the trade is open, price movement determines your:

  • Floating profit
  • Floating loss
  • Margin usage
  • Equity level