Trading USD/THB
The USD/THB currency pair represents the US dollar vs Thai baht. The US dollar is a widely held reserve currency and the Thai baht represents an emerging nation that has recently appreciated against the USD. This page breaks down the USD to THB price history, key influences, trading tips and live charts.
Best USD/THB Brokers
Following extensive tests, these 3 brokers stand out as the best for trading USD/THB:
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1
FOREX.comActive Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$1000.01 Lots1:50NFA, CFTCForex, Stocks, Futures, Futures OptionsMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentralWire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH TransferUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN -
2
Pocket Option50% Deposit Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$50$1MISABinary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, CryptosWeb, MT4, MT5Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Volet, Perfect Money, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, WebMoney, FasaPay, Ethereum Payments, Maestro, JetonCash, AirtelUSD -
3
IGForex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$00.01 Lots1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFMCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread BettingWeb, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentralPayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- FOREX.com - Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
- Pocket Option - Established in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker offering high/low contracts on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. With over 100,000 active users and a global reach, the platform continues to prove popular with budding traders.
- IG - Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
FOREX.com
"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
FOREX.com Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options |
| Regulator | NFA, CFTC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN |
| Currency Pairs | USD/CNH, EUR/CNH, AUD/CNH, CNH/JPY, EUR/AUD, EUR/SGD, EUR/TRY, EUR/CAD, EUR/GBP, GBP/AUD, GBP/CAD, GBP/JPY, GBP/ZAR, USD/HKD, USD/SGD, USD/THB |
Pros
- With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.
- Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
- FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
Cons
- Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
- Despite increasing its range of instruments, FOREX.com's product portfolio is still limited to forex and CFDs, so there are no options to invest in real stocks, real ETFs or real cryptocurrencies.
- FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
Pocket Option
"Pocket Option excels for its easy-to-use web platform which provides a best-in-class user experience for short-term binary traders. The $50 minimum deposit is also accessible for beginners while opening an account is really easy. Looking at the negatives, Pocket Option still trails alternatives in its market offering and regulatory credentials."
Pocket Option Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 50% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Cryptos |
| Regulator | MISA |
| Platforms | Web, MT4, MT5 |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 |
| Minimum Trade | $1 |
| Account Currencies | USD |
| Currency Pairs | EUR/AUD, EUR/JPY, EUR/TRY, EUR/CAD, EUR/GBP, GBP/AUD, GBP/CAD, GBP/JPY, USD/INR, USD/MYR, USD/SGD, USD/THB |
Pros
- The MetaTrader platforms offer integrated analysis with helpful technical summaries for short-term traders
- Extremely fast and smooth sign-up process that takes less than 2 minutes
- The web platform shines for its straightforward design and usability that will appeal to beginners looking to speculate on popular financial markets in a few clicks
Cons
- Pocket Option offers a slimmed down iteration of the MT4 and MT5 that doesn't provide the full charting package for advanced traders
- Despite offering competitive payouts up to 92%, binary brokers like IQCent offer higher returns up to 98% based on tests
- The maximum binary contract length of 4 hours is restrictive for longer-term trading strategies. Alternatives like Videforex offer binaries up to 1 month
IG
"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform, best-in-class education for beginners, advanced charting tools bolstered by its recent TradingView integration, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
IG Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM |
| Platforms | Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD |
| Currency Pairs | USD/CNH, EUR/AUD, EUR/JPY, EUR/SGD, EUR/TRY, EUR/CAD, EUR/GBP, GBP/AUD, GBP/CAD, GBP/HUF, GBP/INR, GBP/JPY, GBP/ZAR, USD/HKD, USD/INR, USD/MYR, USD/SGD, USD/THB |
Pros
- IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis.
- The proprietary web-based platform continues to caters to traders of all levels, with advanced charting tools and real-time market data useful for day trading, while IG has also added TradingView integration.
- IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus recently added US-listed futures and options, providing ample diversification opportunities.
Cons
- IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.
- Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges.
- IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
Chart
Why Day Trade USD/THB?
- Volatility – Exotic pairs like the USD/THB tend to see higher volatility than majors or minors. For day traders, this often means more opportunities to generate profits from price action.
- Status – While exotic pairs are typically associated with fragile economies, this isn’t the case with the USD/THB. The US dollar is considered a global reserve currency while the Thai baht has low-yielding bonds and a large account surplus with strong exports and currency reserves.
- USD – For traders already familiar with the geopolitical and economic influences on the US dollar, getting up to speed with this pair could be straightforward. Trends in major currencies, such as the USD, tend to outweigh the influence of exotic currencies, such as the THB.
Risks Of Trading USD/THB
- Volume – As an exotic pair, the USD/THB sees lower trading volumes compared to majors. The reduced liquidity means wider spreads and pips that can eat into returns.
- Volatility – Exotics are often harder to follow with unpredictable price swings and slippage. This volatility can help profits but can also magnify losses. As a result, the USD/THB is arguably best suited to experienced traders.
- Availability – The USD/THB is not as popular as major forex pairs like EUR/USD. As such, not all forex trading platforms offer trading in the pair.
- Fees – Bid-ask spreads are generally wider on exotics to compensate for the lack of liquidity and increased risk for brokers. This means traders may need to generate greater returns to realise the same profits seen with other forex pairs.
- Leverage – Brokers tend to offer lower leverage on exotics like the USD/THB. This is to limit risk exposure for traders but also means investors end up with less tradable capital.
USD/THB Day Trading Strategy
Today’s USD/THB trading strategies typically call upon live candlestick charts or fundamental news to inform price forecasts. However, regardless of whether you use historical exchange rate graphs or forward rates, the considerations listed below can help inform price predictions.
Timing
Whilst you can trade on the forex market 24/5, not every one of these hours offers optimal conditions. Instead, consider trading during periods that offer the greatest volume and volatility, as this will complement most strategies.
Generally, the most volume can be found when the trading sessions of each currency overlap. The US trading session runs from 13:00 to 22:00 GMT while Thailand’s key trading times are 17:30 to 19:30 GMT. Daily volume charts also show significant trading activity takes place when both London and New York trading sessions are open, from 13:00 to 17:00 GMT.
News & FX Rates
USD/THB traders should keep up to date with the news and important economic releases as both can impact market outlook and current sentiment. The quicker you can anticipate the latest export data from Thailand, for example, the earlier you may be to predict the next trend. Established investors often recommend validating fundamental indicators with technical analysis too.
Useful forex news sources include:
- Oanda
- Reuters
- Bloomberg
- TradingView
- Google News
- MarketWatch
- Yahoo Finance
Useful websites for live USD to THB exchange rate conversions include:
- XE
- Visa
- PayPal
- Coinmill
- Super Rich
- Local Thai bank resources include KBANK, SCB, BBL and KTB
Note, some providers also offer detailed charts with monthly and yearly averages.
Risk Management
Mitigating risks should be taken seriously when trading USD/THB. As well as stops and limits, some recommend not risking more than 1% to 2% of your total capital on a single trade. This is particularly good advice when speculating on risky exotic pairs as price action can be difficult to forecast.
USD Background
Understanding the USD to THB exchange rate history and the influences on respective economies can help inform future price predictions.
The US dollar is the most widely used currency in international transactions. The Coinage Act of 1857 established the US dollar as the only legal currency in the U.S. Before that, the Spanish coin and Mexican peso were traded around the continent. The Federal Reserve Act was established in 1913, establishing the country’s central bank.
USD Influences
- Central bank – Interest rate differentials and quantitative easing measures laid out by the Federal Reserve (Fed) can impact the spot rate and price of USD. Follow announcements from the Fed to stay ahead of future trends.
- Political stability – Major political events, such as presidential elections can impact the value of the USD. To what extent the next administration will prioritise the economy and international trade, for example, will influence the strength of the USD.
- Economic growth – If the US dollar experiences inflation, this depreciates the value of the currency and sees the costs of goods and services rise. This signals a weakening in the USD and may present trading opportunities.
- Trade balances – The US imports and exports to a long list of countries and this demand drives the value of the currency. The US has actually been importing more than it exports for several decades. To counteract this, it issues debts to certain countries including China. However, if the debt level is perceived as unsustainable, this can lead to a weakening of the USD.
THB Background
The Thai baht is one of the oldest currencies in circulation, dating back to the 13th century. Since the 20th century, the Thai baht has been pegged to many currencies and metals, including gold, the Japanese yen, the US dollar and the Pound sterling. After the Asian Financial crisis in 1997, The Bank of Thailand (BoT) decided to let the baht float freely.
THB Influences
- Central bank – In the same vein as the US dollar, The Bank of Thailand, which is based in Bangkok, makes important decisions on interest rates. Other actions it takes to help with long-term currency stability or to respond to short-term issues, can all lead to changes in the value of the THB.
- Geopolitics – Exotic currencies, such as the Thai baht are particularly receptive to geopolitical factors. Reports that signal a fall in exports or employment rates, for example, could see the TBH fall in value against the USD. Equally, political change can bring with it an increase or decrease in the country’s economic strength and currency.
- Trade – The level of trade, along with international reserves, can greatly impact the value of the USD/THB exchange rate. When trade increases, export prices tend to rise faster than import prices, which creates increased demand for the Thai baht. As a result, tracking international trade sentiment can help inform USD/THB trading strategies.
Linked Currencies
Currency pairs don’t move independently from each other. Movement seen in one pair is often reflected in others. Positive correlation is when pairs move in the same direction while negative correlation is when pairs move in the opposite direction.
The USD/THB is positively correlated to the USD/SGD and USD/ZAR, for example. In contrast, the USD/THB is negatively correlated to the SGD/HKD and EUR/HKD. If you’re already familiar with these currencies, you can leverage your existing forex and charting knowledge to make predictions about where the USD/THB may move next.
Final Word
The USD/THB is a popular exotic pair. Offering access to an emerging Asian country alongside the strength and status of the US dollar, it’s an interesting forex pair to start buying and selling. There are plenty of useful resources, from real-time graphs to 5, 10, 20 and 30 years of historical data and charts to help with USD/THB strategies. There is also a selection of forex brokers to facilitate live and futures trading.
FAQ
How do I convert 1 USD = THB?
The live USD/THB exchange rate changes throughout the day. To see the current price, see the chart above or head to one of many online currency convertors.
What is the meaning of USD/THB?
This forex pair consists of the US dollar, which is the base currency, and the Thai baht, which is the quote currency. The value of USD/THB represents the number of THB equivalent to 1 USD. For example, if the market price of this pair is 32.98, then you would need 32.98 THB to buy 1 USD.
How do I start trading USD/THB?
The first step is opening an account with a forex broker. Before depositing funds, compare spreads, trading tools, regulatory status, fund security and withdrawal fees.
What is a USD/THB basis swap?
A USD/THB basis swap is an agreement between two parties to swap variable interest rates based on two floating rates, which are subject to swap points.
What is the difference between a USD/THB forward point and a forward rate?
Forward points are the number of basis points added or subtracted from the current USD/THB spot rate. This determines the forward rate of the pair, where the buyer is promised a certain exchange rate for the USD/THB at a later date.