This trading FAQ for beginners gathers short answers from across the site. Each links to a guide with the full explanation and worked numbers. For definitions, see the glossary.
Markets and mechanics
Start with financial markets explained if you want the big picture, or go straight to how forex trading works for currencies and gold.
Forex and gold
Currencies and gold are our core subjects. The forex guide walks through quotes, pips, lots, margin and sessions with worked numbers, and covers XAU/USD alongside the currency pairs. If you already know the basics, price action explains how chart readers structure a trade, and why costs matter so much at short timeframes.
Shares and indices
If your questions are about owning companies rather than trading currencies, read the stock market for beginners, then how to read the stock market for the numbers on a quote page. For one index family taken apart in detail, see our ASX guide.
Crypto and stablecoins
The crypto guide covers blockchains and custody; USDT and Bitcoin each have their own page.
Still have a question?
If the answers below do not cover it, the guides linked on this page go into much more detail. We cannot answer questions about a particular account, provider or trade, but we are glad to hear about topics you would like explained, or about any figure on the site that looks wrong.
Costs, providers and safety
Before using any provider, work through how to choose a broker and trading fees explained. If an offer arrived unasked, read how to spot trading scams first. And to put numbers on any trade idea, use the pip, position size, margin and crypto profit calculators.
Reader questions
Is TrivexPrime an exchange or a broker?
No. TrivexPrime is an independent information website. We do not open accounts, take deposits, execute trades or hold anyone's money, and we never contact readers with trading offers. If you are contacted by anyone using our name, treat it as fraud and report it.
What is a pip worth?
On a pair quoted in US dollars, such as EUR/USD, one pip on a standard lot of 100,000 units is worth $10. On other pairs the value depends on the exchange rate; the pip calculator works it out. For USD/JPY at 150, for example, a standard-lot pip is about $6.67.
How much leverage can a retail trader use?
In the UK and EU, retail CFD clients are capped at 30:1 on major currency pairs, 20:1 on other pairs, gold and major indices, 10:1 on other commodities, 5:1 on shares and 2:1 on crypto. Australia's caps are similar; US retail forex allows 50:1 on majors. Higher leverage offered to a retail client in those regions is a warning sign.
When is the forex market open?
From Sunday 17:00 to Friday 17:00 New York time, around the clock on weekdays. Liquidity is usually deepest when the London and New York sessions overlap. Stock exchanges keep their own fixed hours, and crypto trades continuously.
Why is gold quoted as XAU/USD?
XAU is the standard code for one troy ounce of gold, so XAU/USD is the dollar price of an ounce. Many providers list it next to currency pairs, commonly with a 100-ounce standard lot. That makes a $1 move in gold worth $100 per lot.
What does T+1 mean for US shares?
Since May 2024, US share trades settle one business day after the trade date, when the cash and shares actually change hands. Brokers may still let you trade with unsettled funds under their own rules.
Is USDT the same as holding dollars?
No. USDT is a token issued by Tether that aims to be redeemable for one dollar. It is not a bank deposit, can be frozen by the issuer and has traded below $1 at times of stress. Sender and receiver must also use the same network, such as TRC20 or ERC20.
How many bitcoin can exist?
The protocol caps supply at 21 million. The block reward is 3.125 BTC after the April 2024 halving, and the next halving is expected around 2028. One bitcoin divides into 100 million satoshis, so fractions can be bought.
What costs should I expect when trading?
The spread, any commission, overnight financing on leveraged positions, and possibly conversion, inactivity and withdrawal fees. On crypto platforms, trading fees apply on both the buy and the sell, plus network fees to withdraw. Adding them up for a typical trade shows how far the price must move before you profit.
How do I know if an investment offer is a scam?
Unsolicited contact, guaranteed returns, pressure to act fast and payment in crypto to a personal wallet are the strongest warning signs. Always check the firm on your regulator's own register. A request for fees before a withdrawal is almost always a sign that the platform is fake.