Trading GBP/ZAR

GBP/ZAR is an exotic currency pair that reflects the value of the GBP against the ZAR. The pair contains the official currency of Great Britain, considered one of the world’s top reserve currencies, and the South African rand, a middle-income emerging market. This review breaks down the benefits of trading the GBP/ZAR as well as the risks, along with investing tips, the pair’s history and how to forecast GBP to ZAR in 2024.

GBP/ZAR Trading Brokers

OANDA US - OANDA offers a diverse selection of 68 currency pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker’s in-house platform offers superb day trading capabilities via powerful TradingView charts, including 65+ technical indicators and 11 customizable chart types.
Vantage - Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.
IC Markets - IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
AvaTrade - AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.
FOREX.com - FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.

Trading GBP/ZAR Comparison

Trading GBP/ZAR Comparison
Forex Assets	EUR/USD Spread	Forex App Rating	Minimum Deposit	Regulator	Visit
65+	1.6	4 / 5	$0	NFA, CFTC	Visit
55+	0.0	4 / 5	$50	FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC	Visit
75	0.02	4.8 / 5	$200	ASIC, CySEC, FSA	Visit
50+	0.9	4.3 / 5	-	ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM	Visit
80+	1.2	4.9 / 5	$100	NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA	Visit
100+	0.1	4.7 / 5	$0	FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB	Visit
55+	1.6	4.7 / 5	$5	ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA	Visit
50+	0.0	3.6 / 5	$100	ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB	Visit
45+	Variable	3 / 5	$0	-	Visit
60+	14 pips	4.5 / 5	$10	-	Visit
50+	1.2	4 / 5	$10	FSC, FSA	Visit
70+	1.58 pips (Ave)	2.5 / 5	$100	FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSC	Visit
70+	0.2	3.4 / 5	$0	CySEC	Visit
70+	1.0	4.8 / 5	$0	FCA, CySEC, KNF, CNMV, DFSA, FSC	Visit
60+	0.6	5 / 5	$100	FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, FMA, EFSA	Visit

#1 - OANDA US

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Review

Why We Chose OANDA US

OANDA offers a diverse selection of 68 currency pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker’s in-house platform offers superb day trading capabilities via powerful TradingView charts, including 65+ technical indicators and 11 customizable chart types.

"OANDA remains an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."
- DayTrading Review Team

GBPUSD Spread: 3.4
EURUSD Spread: 1.6
EURGBP Spread: 1.7
Total Assets: 65+
Leverage: 1:50
Platforms: OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist

About OANDA US

OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is regulated by trusted agencies, including the NFA/CFTC. Around the clock support is available for short-term traders, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.

Pros

There's a strong selection of 68 currency pairs for dedicated short-term forex traders
OANDA is a reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators including the CFTC
The proprietary OANDA web platform continues to deliver a highly competitive charting environment, including 65+ technical indicators powered by TradingView

Cons

It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends
The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported

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#2 - Vantage

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Review

Why We Chose Vantage

Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.

"Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly."
- DayTrading Review Team

GBPUSD Spread: 0.5
EURUSD Spread: 0.0
EURGBP Spread: 0.5
Total Assets: 55+
Leverage: 1:500
Platforms: ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade

About Vantage

Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.

Pros

The ECN accounts are very competitive with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $1.50 commission per side
The broker has recently made efforts to expand its suite of CFDs providing further trading opportunities
The low minimum deposit of $50 and zero funding fees make this broker a great choice for new traders

Cons

A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side
Unfortunately, cryptos are only available for Australian clients
The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests

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#3 - IC Markets

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Review

Why We Chose IC Markets

IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.

"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."
- DayTrading Review Team

GBPUSD Spread: 0.23
EURUSD Spread: 0.02
EURGBP Spread: 0.27
Total Assets: 75
Leverage: 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About IC Markets

IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.

Pros

IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.

Cons

While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
There are fees for certain withdrawal methods, including a $20 wire charge, which can eat into profits, especially for frequent withdrawals.
Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.

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#4 - AvaTrade

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Review

Why We Chose AvaTrade

AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.

"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."
- DayTrading Review Team

GBPUSD Spread: 1.5
EURUSD Spread: 0.9
EURGBP Spread: 1.5
Total Assets: 50+
Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.

Pros

AvaTrade is a heavily regulated and trustworthy broker with licenses from the ASIC, CySEC and more
Day traders can access stable spreads and zero commissions with no hidden fees
The broker offers reliable 24/5 multilingual customer support with fast response times during testing

Cons

A high $2000 minimum investment is required to use DupliTrade, which will be out of reach for many beginners
Traders from the US are not accepted
It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here

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#5 - FOREX.com

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Review

Why We Chose FOREX.com

FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.

"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."
- DayTrading Review Team

GBPUSD Spread: 1.3
EURUSD Spread: 1.2
EURGBP Spread: 1.4
Total Assets: 80+
Leverage: 1:200 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

About 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.

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.
FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.

Cons

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.
Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.

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Chart

Pros Of Trading GBP/ZAR

High-exchange rates – Since 2020, the GBP/ZAR pair has seen serious movement, close to its record high in 2016. Activity has led to high levels of volatility which can be good news for forex traders.
Diversification – Trading with an exotic FX pair lets users diversify their investment portfolio while utilising distinct strategies to generate profits.
High-interest rates – Both GBP and ZAR generally have high-interest rates, which can provide profit potential. Whilst GBP was once considered a stable currency, the financial crisis in 2008 and Brexit have contributed to an upward trend in rates.
Resources – Traders nowadays have access to a host of tools that can help inform GBP to ZAR forecasts for today or for next week. Online candlestick charts, live spot and forward rates, plus historical exchange rate data are all available for free at many of the best forex trading platforms and brokers.

Risks Of Trading GBP/ZAR

Low liquidity – GBP/ZAR is an exotic pair and as the ZAR component is considered an emerging currency, it carries less liquidity compared to developed market currencies and majors. This means it’s likely to have wider spreads, which will make it more costly to trade.
Volatility – While volatility can increase rewards, it can also magnify losses. Though GBP to ZAR projections and technical analysis can help inform trends, exact movement is difficult to predict. As a result, it’s key that traders use tools such as stop losses to protect positions.
Strength – While no currency is free from the effects of the coronavirus, the ZAR was already heading toward a recession before the 2020 pandemic. This may raise the question of when or if the ZAR will recover.
Algorithmic bots – Nowadays, traders are faced with automated competition from a market dominated by intelligent algorithms. This can make it difficult for manual traders to buy and sell at the same volume and speed as high-tech bots.

Influences On GBP/ZAR Movement

Monetary policy – Interest rates affecting the British pound are dictated by the Bank of England. Likewise, the South African Reserve Bank decides whether to raise or lower interest rates in South Africa. Being clued in on economic announcements from both financial institutions can help inform GBP v ZAR trading strategies.
Economic growth – Understanding economic indicators like employment, inflation and interest rates are useful as the value of a currency depends on the strength of its economy. Follow announcements across both countries for insights into which direction the GBP/ZAR may move.
Commodity prices – Precious metal exports are integral to South Africa’s economy. It is the largest global producer of gold, platinum, diamonds and iron ore. The volume and value of these commodities will influence the country’s currency and the relative strength of the GBP/ZAR.
Political stability – South Africa has had a troubled political history. The apartheid, for example, significantly weakened the ZAR. Much of the currency’s volatility stems from its political instability. Likewise, Brexit had a big impact on the value of the pound, which saw its largest drop in value following the announcement of the UK referendum vote. Keep abreast of political events across both countries to stay ahead of GBP/ZAR trends.

Correlations

Most currency pairs are linked, with movement in one pair often reflected in another, either positively or negatively:

Positive correlation – This is when pairs react in line with each other. The GBP/USD, AUD/USD, and EUR/USD are the three most commonly traded pairs and are all positively correlated. This is because USD is the counter currency and any change in the US dollar impacts all pairs.
Negative correlation – This occurs when currencies move in the opposite direction. The USD/CHF, USD/JPY, and USD/CAD are popular examples. They are negatively correlated because the USD is the base currency.

Application

A GBP/ZAR trader can use this information to validate trends or to build a strategy around majors, for example, which they may understand better. Keeping an eye on the GBP/USD and USD/ZAR is particularly useful when trading the GBP/ZAR.

Of course, it’s worth highlighting that external factors can lead to discrepancies in the standard movement seen in correlated pairs.

GBP/ZAR Day Trading Strategy

Below are some important considerations when forming your GBP/ZAR trading strategy.

Timing

A successful GBP/ZAR strategy will depend on timing. Ideally, you want to trade when the market offers the greatest volume and volatility so you can generate profits while incurring minimal costs. A live chart or graph will show you that volume and volatility in the GBP/ZAR pair increase between 16:00 GMT to 06:00 GMT the next day.

Brokers

Because GBP/ZAR is an exotic pair, it’s not as widely available as majors, for example. With that in mind, it’s worth checking your forex trading platform offers the pair. It’s also worth keeping in mind some providers offer lower leverage limits and higher fees on exotics. Look for a broker with the best buying and selling rates alongside generous leverage and competitive pip values.

Oanda is one good option that offers the GBP/ZAR and trusted forex platforms like MT4 and MT5. Other useful resources include Yahoo Finance and Xe. These sources offer live exchange rate forecasts, GBP to ZAR conversions, FX news, historical 5, 10 or 20 years of chart data, plus information on futures.

News

Some investors prefer to trade the GBP/ZAR using news announcements. Major events can help you answer questions like ‘is the ZAR getting stronger or will it weaken?’ A couple of top providers for forex news are Bloomberg and broker IG.

Note, we’d recommend validating outlooks based on news events using technical analysis too.

History Of GBP

The pound sterling is one of the oldest currencies, dating back to 775 AD when silver pennies dominated the Anglo-Saxon period. Shortly after the establishment of the Bank of England, pound notes started to circulate in 1694. Before the decimal system was introduced in 1971, the pound existed with a pennies and shillings system.

In the same year, the British pound floated freely, which allowed market factors to dictate the value of the currency rather than artificial pegs to other currencies.

Once a stable currency, the British pound has declined since the financial crisis in 2008. The UK’s referendum vote to leave the EU in 2016 also caused the pound to fall 10% overnight and the impact of the vote is still being felt today.

History Of ZAR

The South African rand was introduced in 1961 when the country became a republic. At that time, the ZAR was valued at 2 rand to 1 pound. Prior to that, the national currency was the South African pound owing to the country being a British colony.

Until 1968, the South African rand exchanged at 2 rand to 1 pound and fluctuated steadily around 1.4 to 1.7 until 1982. Political pressure against the South Africa apartheid then weakened the value of the currency. During that period, the FX rate reached more than 2.5 rand to 1 pound which led to forex activities being suspended to prevent further devaluation.

When the continuation of the apartheid was announced in 1985, the rand continued to weaken. In fact, by the end of the year, it reached over 4 rand to 1 pound and depreciated to over 8 by 1998. And whilst the ZAR has steadily risen since 2006, high rates of poverty, crime, political unrest and unemployment still plague the value of the currency.

Role Of GBP

The British Pound sterling is the official currency of the United Kingdom and also the Isle of Man, the South Sandwich Islands, Gibraltar, South Georgia, and the British Antarctic Territory. It is the fourth most traded currency on the forex market.

The UK’s diverse economy consists of technology and service-oriented companies, manufacturing and agricultural sectors. The country’s financial services industry is one of the largest contributors to GDP.

The British pound is a leading reserve currency and one of the few currencies worth more than the US dollar. With that said, major political events such as Brexit, along with COVID-19, have negatively impacted the value of the currency in recent years. Of course, political instability can also lead to opportunities for GBP/ZAR day traders.

Role Of ZAR

The ZAR is the national currency of the Republic of South Africa and is also recognised as legal tender in the Common Monetary Area of Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini.

The ZAR is considered a commodity currency due to the country being a major exporter of platinum, gold, diamonds and iron ore. With that said, the country has pivoted to a more services-based economy which in recent years has accounted for 67.5% of the country’s GDP. Following data across South Africa’s precious metals exports and services industries will help inform GBP/ZAR trading decisions.

Final Word On Trading GBP/ZAR

As GBP/ZAR is an exotic pair, it offers forex traders a means of diversifying their investment portfolio. The pair’s volatility and high-interest rates provide opportunities to earn healthy profits. The right strategy will vary between traders but will likely call on GBP/ZAR technical analysis, news events and historical data.

FAQ

How much is 1 ZAR against GBP?

The value of 1 ZAR per GBP is constantly shifting. See a live chart or visit an exchange rate website for the latest buying and selling rates.

Will the ZAR strengthen?

Historically, the value of the ZAR has declined and the global pandemic has put further pressure on an economy that was already heading for a recession. Nonetheless, it’s worth keeping up with the latest market news for future predictions.

How can I start trading GBP/ZAR?

Firstly, you need a broker that offers the GBP/ZAR. As an exotic, it’s not as widely available as major pairs. Make sure to also compare spreads, leverage rates and trading tools. You can then test GBP/ZAR strategies in a free demo account before you start live trading.

Is it a good time to buy and sell GBP versus ZAR?

Despite the impacts of the pandemic on both currencies, GBP has increased in value relative to the ZAR. There is still ample volatility to trade the currency pair as the rand depreciates while the pound stabilises. Of course, we recommend conducting your own research before taking a position.

Where can I buy ZAR?

There are many services that let you buy the South African currency if you’re looking for tourist rates. For example, you can buy it from any Post Office branch. However, make sure to check exchange rates on the service provider’s website to get the best value for money.