Major pairs always include the US dollar on one side. They’re the most liquid, carry the tightest spreads, and get the most coverage from analysts and news outlets. If you’re just getting started, this is where you want to be.
EUR/USD (Euro / US Dollar)
EUR/USD is the most traded pair in the world. It accounts for roughly 24% of daily forex volume, according to BIS 2025 data.
The European Central Bank (ECB) and the US Federal Reserve (US Fed) drive most of the price action here, so keeping an eye on their policy decisions goes a long way. Spreads are tight, and price action is clean and relatively predictable.
In 2026, the pair has been trading in the 1.14 to 1.20 range, with ECB rate hike expectations and a broadly weaker US dollar keeping upward pressure on the euro.
Image via TradingView: EUR/USD Daily Chart
Best for: Beginners and traders who follow central bank news.
USD/JPY (US Dollar / Japanese Yen)
USD/JPY is the second most traded pair globally. It tends to move in one sustained direction, which makes it popular with trend-followers.
Price action is generally cleaner and less erratic than the GBP/USD, so it’s a good pair for beginners practicing chart patterns.
In 2026, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is slowly tightening policy while the Fed eases, and that narrowing interest rate gap is creating some interesting movement in this pair.
Image via TradingView: USD/JPY Daily Chart
Best for: Beginners and trend traders who prefer steady, directional moves.
GBP/USD (British Pound / US Dollar)
GBP/USD moves more aggressively than EUR/USD. Bank of England (BoE) decisions and UK economic data tend to trigger sharp reactions in this pair.
It’s most active during the London session, and liquidity thins out considerably once the Asian session kicks in.
In early 2026, the pair is trading near 1.34. It’s a solid pair, but you need a stomach for larger swings.
Image via TradingView: GBP/USD Daily Chart
Best for: Intermediate traders comfortable with higher volatility.
AUD/USD (Australian Dollar / US Dollar)
AUD/USD tracks commodity prices closely, particularly iron ore and copper, given Australia’s export-heavy economy. China’s economic health also plays a big role since Australia is one of China’s largest trading partners.
In 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is signaling potential rate hikes while the Fed eases, which is shifting the yield advantage back toward the Australian dollar. That makes this pair one to watch for trend traders this year.
Image via TradingView: AUD/USD Daily Chart
Best for: Trend traders with an eye on commodity markets.
USD/CAD (US Dollar / Canadian Dollar)
USD/CAD moves in close step with oil prices since Canada is one of the world’s largest oil exporters. When oil rises, the Canadian dollar tends to strengthen, pushing this pair lower.
It’s the fifth most traded pair globally, with an average daily volume of $505.13 billion in 2025. The North American session is when this pair sees the most action, so it suits traders in those time zones well.
Image via TradingView: USD/CAD Daily Chart
Best for: Intermediate traders who follow commodity and energy markets.
USD/CHF (US Dollar / Swiss Franc)
The Swiss franc has a long reputation as a safe-haven currency. When global uncertainty rises, traders tend to move into CHF, which puts downward pressure on this pair.
In 2025, the US dollar fell by about 13% against the franc, making it the dollar’s worst-performing major pair that year. Swiss National Bank (SNB) policy and broader risk sentiment are the two biggest drivers to watch here.
Image via TradingView: USD/CHF Daily Chart
Best for: Macro-focused traders who track global risk events.
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