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Trading USD/CHF

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Written By
James Barra
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Written By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
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Edited By
Jemma Grist
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Edited By
Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
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Fact Checked By
William Berg
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Fact Checked By
William Berg
William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.
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Updated
Jul 24, 2024

The USD/CHF currency pair, also known as ‘Swissy’, is popular in the forex space despite coming with certain challenges. This page will break down the history of the USD/CHF relationship, including its benefits and risks. We also look at how to start trading the USD/CHF in 2025, by capitalising on volume and volatility with charts, strategy, signals and trading hours.

USD/CHF Trading Brokers

Click a broker for details
  1. 1
    FOREX.com
    Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options
    MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN
    Go To FOREX.com
  2. 2
    NinjaTrader
    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    2.9 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.2 / 5
    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
    NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
    ACH Transfer, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Cheque
    USD
    Go To NinjaTrader
  3. 3
    Interactive Brokers
    Ratings
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    $0
    $100
    1:50
    FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
    Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
    Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral
    Cheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF
    Go To Interactive Brokers
  4. 4
    OANDA US
    CFDs are not available to residents in the United States.
    Ratings
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.7 / 5
    3.7 / 5
    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)
    OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
    Wire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To OANDA US
  5. 5
    Videforex
    20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
    Ratings
    2.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    1.3 / 5
    1.3 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    $250
    $0.01
    1:500
    Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
    TradingView
    Skrill, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Ethereum Payments
    USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB
    Go To Videforex
  6. 6
    Binarium
    Ratings
    2.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    1.3 / 5
    4.2 / 5
    1.3 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    $5
    $1
    Forex, Stocks, Cryptos
    Own
    QIWI, Yandex Money, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, WebMoney, Wire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Credit Card, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, AUD, RUB
    Go To Binarium
  7. 7
    xChief
    $100 No Deposit Bonus
    Ratings
    4 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.7 / 5
    3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    0 / 5
    0 / 5
    $10
    0.01 Lots
    1:1000
    ASIC
    CFDs, Forex, Metals, Commodities, Stocks, Indices
    MT4, MT5
    Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Credit Card, UnionPay, Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney, Perfect Money, Debit Card, Ethereum Payments, FasaPay, Volet
    USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF
    Go To xChief
  8. 8
    IQCent
    20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
    Ratings
    2.5 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    2.4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    2 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    $250
    $0.01
    1:500
    IFMRRC
    Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
    Online Platform, TradingView
    Credit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments, Visa, Mastercard
    USD, EUR
    Go To IQCent
  9. 9
    Coinexx
    100% Deposit Welcome Bonus
    Ratings
    2.5 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3 / 5
    0.8 / 5
    1.3 / 5
    0 / 5
    0 / 5
    0.001 BTC
    0.01 Lots
    1:500
    Forex, Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrencies
    MT4, MT5
    Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments
    USD
    Go To Coinexx
  10. 10
    UnitedPips
    40% Deposit Bonus
    Ratings
    2 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    0 / 5
    0 / 5
    $10
    0.01 Lots
    1:1000
    IFSA
    CFDs, Forex, Precious Metals, Crypto
    UniTrader
    PayPal, Credit Card, Debit Card, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments
    USD
    Go To UnitedPips

Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons

  1. 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.
  2. NinjaTrader - NinjaTraders supports the trading of popular currencies including the EUR/USD. The software also offers advanced features to streamline the trading experience, including complex order types like market if touched (MIT) and one cancels other (OCO).
  3. Interactive Brokers - IBKR presents an extensive range of over 100 major, minor, and exotic forex pairs, surpassing the offerings of nearly all leading alternatives, though not CMC Markets. Forex trading occurs over multiple platforms and boasts institutional-grade spreads starting from 0.1 pips and 20 complex order types, including brackets, scale, and one-cancels-all (OCA) orders.
  4. 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.
  5. Videforex - Videforex offers trading on 35 currency pairs through leveraged CFDs with spreads from 0.1 pips. Alternatively, traders can use binaries to speculate on upward/downward price movements with payouts up to 98%. Integrated technical analysis, economic calendars, and market news, all available within the platform, help support FX trading decisions.
  6. Binarium - Binarium offers just 20 currency pairs, focusing on majors like EUR/GBP and USD/GBP, alongside a few minors. Currency trading is supported on a web-based platform with payouts up to 80% through the broker's binary options.
  7. xChief - xChief supports spot foreign exchange trading on all account types for 40+ major, minor and exotic currency pairs. Trading takes place on the leading MT4 and MT5 platforms, which offer dozens of in-built technical tools for short-term forex strategies.
  8. IQCent - IQCent traders can access CFDs or binary options on 45+ forex pairs. CFD spreads start from 0.3 pips and binary options payouts are decent up to 95%. This is competitive compared to Pocket Option, for example, offering forex payouts up to only 81%.
  9. Coinexx - Coinexx offers an excellent selection of 70+ major, minor and exotics currency pairs, presenting diverse opportunities with a forex calculator to aid trading decisions. It’s also one of a select few brokers to support forex trading on the ActTrader platform, alongside MT4 and MT5.
  10. UnitedPips - UnitedPips supports trading on over 40 major, minor and exotic currency pairs. To help inform trading decisions, it offers daily market analysis with fundamental and technical insights into prominent currency pairs like AUD/USD and EUR/USD.

Trading USD/CHF Comparison

Trading USD/CHF Comparison
Broker Forex Assets EUR/USD Spread Forex App Rating Minimum Deposit Regulator
FOREX.com logo
80+ 1.2 4.9 / 5 $100 NFA, CFTC
NinjaTrader logo
50+ 1.3 3.5 / 5 $0 NFA, CFTC
Interactive Brokers logo
100+ 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value 4.3 / 5 $0 FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
OANDA US logo
65+ 1.6 4 / 5 $0 NFA, CFTC
Videforex logo
35+ 0.1 2.5 / 5 $250 -
Binarium logo
20+ Variable 4.3 / 5 $5 -
xChief logo
40 0.4 - $10 ASIC
IQCent logo
49 0.3 3 / 5 $250 IFMRRC
Coinexx logo
60+ 0.0 4.8 / 5 0.001 BTC -
UnitedPips logo
40+ 0.7 - $10 IFSA

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 OfferActive Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
GBPUSD Spread1.3
EURUSD Spread1.2
EURGBP Spread1.4
Total Assets80+
Leverage1:50
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

  • 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.
  • 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.

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.
Visit FOREX.com
FOREX.com Review

NinjaTrader

"NinjaTrader continues to meet the demands of active futures traders looking for low fees and premium analysis tools. The platform hosts top-rate charting features including hundreds of indicators and 10+ chart types."

Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

NinjaTrader Quick Facts

GBPUSD Spread1.6
EURUSD Spread1.3
EURGBP Spread1.6
Total Assets50+
Leverage1:50
PlatformsNinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • You can get thousands of add-ons and applications from developers in 150+ countries
  • Traders can get free platform access and trade simulation capabilities in the unlimited demo
  • Low fees are offered, with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract

Cons

  • There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods
  • The premium platform tools come with an extra charge
  • Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
Visit NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader Review

Interactive Brokers

"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Interactive Brokers Quick Facts

GBPUSD Spread0.08-0.20 bps x trade value
EURUSD Spread0.08-0.20 bps x trade value
EURGBP Spread0.08-0.20 bps x trade value
Total Assets100+
Leverage1:50
PlatformsTrader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Pros

  • IBKR continues to deliver unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands of equities available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries, most recently the Saudi Stock Exchange.
  • With low commissions, tight spreads and a transparent fee structure, IBKR delivers a cost-effective environment for short-term traders.
  • The TWS platform has clearly been built for intermediate and advanced traders and comes with over 100 order types and a reliable real-time market data feed that rarely goes offline.

Cons

  • Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.
  • IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
  • You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
Visit Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers Review

OANDA US

"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."

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

OANDA US Quick Facts

GBPUSD Spread3.4
EURUSD Spread1.6
EURGBP Spread1.7
Total Assets65+
Leverage1:50
PlatformsOANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • There's a strong selection of 68 currency pairs for dedicated short-term forex traders
  • Seasoned day traders can access industry-leading tools, including an MT4 premium upgrade and advanced charting provided by MotiveWave
  • Beginners can get started easily with $0 minimum initial deposit

Cons

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

Videforex

"Videforex will serve traders looking for a no-frills, easy-to-use platform to speculate on the direction of popular financial markets through binaries. With a sign-up process that takes a matter of minutes and a web-accessible platform, getting started is a breeze. "

William Berg, Reviewer

Videforex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
GBPUSD Spread0.1
EURUSD Spread0.1
EURGBP Spread0.1
Total Assets35+
Leverage1:500
PlatformsTradingView
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Pros

  • Videforex regularly runs trading contests, offering practice opportunities and cash prizes to beginners and experienced traders, with position sizes from just ¢0.01.
  • Traders can earn up to 98% payouts on 100+ assets with the broker’s binary options, bringing it in line with competitors like IQCent.
  • Videforex is one of the few brokers with 24/7 multilingual video support, providing comprehensive assistance for active traders.

Cons

  • The client terminal needs improvements based on our latest tests, sporting sometimes slow and unresponsive widgets which could dampen the experience for day traders.
  • Videforex lacks authorization from a trusted regulator, meaning traders may receive little to zero safeguards like segregated client accounts.
  • The absence of any educational tools is a serious drawback for newer traders who can find blogs, videos and live trading sessions at category leaders.
Visit Videforex
Videforex Review

Binarium

"Binarium has been designed with simplicity in mind, featuring a fast, fully digital sign-up process and an intuitive platform and app with 4 chart types and 12 indicators. With binaries spanning 5 minutes to 3 months, it caters to short- and medium-term traders."

William Berg, Reviewer

Binarium Quick Facts

GBPUSD SpreadVariable
EURUSD SpreadVariable
EURGBP SpreadVariable
Total Assets20+
PlatformsOwn
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, AUD, RUB

Pros

  • The $10,000 demo account, deposit-doubling welcome bonus, smooth sign-up, and 24/7 support make for an attractive onboarding experience.
  • Binarium claims to segregate client funds with EU banks, meaning traders’ money should not be misused and providing an important layer of protection, which is especially relevant given its offshore status.
  • Binarium has the best education centre we’ve seen amongst binary options brands, complete with information on core topics like trading basics and account options, plus professional video guides to using the platform.

Cons

  • Payouts of up to 80% are on the low side of binary options platforms based on our evaluations, which may deter traders looking for the possible best returns, though you can get back up to 15% of losing trades.
  • Despite being operational since 2012, Binarium is an unregulated broker with limited transparency on its website, raising safety concerns and potentially putting your capital at risk.
  • Binarium has some way to go to match the investment offering of binary firms like Quotex, with a particularly weak selection of around 20 currencies and 3 cryptocurrencies.
Visit Binarium
Binarium Review

xChief

"xChief continues to prove popular with investors looking to trade highly leveraged CFDs on the popular MetaTrader platforms. The broker's rebate scheme and investment accounts will particularly appeal to seasoned traders. However, the lack of top-tier regulatory oversight is a major drawback."

William Berg, Reviewer

xChief Quick Facts

Bonus Offer$100 No Deposit Bonus
GBPUSD Spread0.9
EURUSD Spread0.4
EURGBP Spread0.9
Total Assets40
Leverage1:1000
PlatformsMT4, MT5
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF

Pros

  • Traders can access a copy trading solution via the MetaQuotes Signals service
  • The broker offers several account types to suit different traders, including a Cent account for beginners and pro-level hedging/netting accounts
  • xChief offers STP/ECN execution with low spreads from 0.0 pips and low commission rates starting from $2.50 per side

Cons

  • The total range of 150+ assets is much lower than most competitors who typically offer hundreds
  • The broker trails competitors when it comes to research tools and educational resources
  • xChief is an offshore broker with weak regulatory oversight from the VFSC, so traders will receive limited safeguards
Visit xChief
xChief Review

IQCent

"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

IQCent Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
GBPUSD Spread0.8
EURUSD Spread0.3
EURGBP Spread0.8
Total Assets49
Leverage1:500
PlatformsOnline Platform, TradingView
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR

Pros

  • Keen traders can take part in trading contests with cash prizes
  • The broker offers up to 98% payouts on binary options, which is more than alternatives like Pocket Option, only offering up to 92%
  • The broker's 24/7 customer support is fast and reliable, responding within 1 minute during tests

Cons

  • IQCent trails binary brokers like Quotex with its narrow investment offering of around 100 assets with no stocks
  • The broker is not overseen by a respected regulator, though this is common among binary options firms
  • IQCent charges a punitive $10 monthly inactivity fee if you fail to place at least 1 trade per month
Visit IQCent
IQCent Review

Coinexx

"Coinexx best serves short-term traders willing to foregoes regulatory protections in return for highly-leveraged CFDs and trading accounts, deposits and withdrawals processed in cryptos like BTC. "

Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

Coinexx Quick Facts

Bonus Offer100% Deposit Welcome Bonus
GBPUSD Spread0.0
EURUSD Spread0.0
EURGBP Spread0.0
Total Assets60+
Leverage1:500
PlatformsMT4, MT5
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • Coinexx uses an ECN model that facilitates ultra-tight spreads from 0 pips, which alongside high leverage up to 1:500, may serve fast-paced, high-volume trading strategies.
  • Coinexx is one of a limited pool of brokers to support the ActTrader platform, which is highly customizable with detachable widgets, as well as 48 indicators, 11 timeframes, and price quotes up to 8 decimal places.
  • The virtual private server (VPS), hosted near the firm’s data center in Amsterdam, offers 24/7 connectivity, low latency and 99.99% uptime, catering to algo traders.

Cons

  • Despite operating for over 7 years, Coinexx still hasn’t secured any regulatory approvals, respected industry awards or the full confidence of our experts.
  • Aside from 7 calculators (forex, margin, pip, currency, commission, swap, PnL), Coinexx offers very little in terms of additional tools, with no education or research features to support traders.
  • Although it supports near-instant account funding in 25+ cryptos, the absence of fiat deposit options at Coinexx will be severely limiting for many traders.
Visit Coinexx
Coinexx Review

UnitedPips

"UnitedPips is ideal for traders seeking leveraged trading opportunities, the security of fixed spreads, and the flexibility to deposit, withdraw, and trade cryptocurrencies - all in one sleek TradingView-powered platform."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

UnitedPips Quick Facts

Bonus Offer40% Deposit Bonus
GBPUSD Spread1.3
EURUSD Spread0.7
EURGBP Spread1.1
Total Assets40+
Leverage1:1000
PlatformsUniTrader
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • Although being handed off mid-chat due to shift changes during testing was frustrating, customer support is generally good with quick, helpful responses, and 24/7 support via phone and email for regional teams is a definite advantage.
  • UnitedPips offers impressive leverage up to 1:1000 with zero swap fees or commissions, which can enhance potential returns for day traders and swing traders looking to control prominent positions with less capital.
  • UnitedPips’ platform performs well, with an intuitive design that will appeal to beginners, while the TradingView integration delivers powerful charting tools without overwhelming users, making it straightforward to execute trades efficiently.

Cons

  • Unlike brokers such as IG, UnitedPips is an offshore broker not regulated by any 'green tier' financial authorities, raising concerns for traders seeking assurance and protection under well-established regulatory frameworks.
  • UnitedPips lacks comprehensive research, while the educational content for beginner traders is woeful. Compared to brokers like eToro, which offers tutorials, webinars, and advanced courses, UnitedPips offers minimal resources to help new traders understand key concepts.
  • UnitedPips' selection of tradable instruments is still minimal, comprising a bare minimum selection of forex, metals and crypto. There are no equities, indices or ETFs, which may be a drawback for experienced traders looking for diverse opportunities.
Visit UnitedPips
UnitedPips Review

Chart

USDCHF Chart by TradingView

Breaking Down ‘USD/CHF’

Firstly, what does USD/CHF mean? The exchange rate you see is simply how many Swiss francs (the quote currency) it will cost to buy one US dollar (the base currency).

The USD/CHF is one of the most popular traded currency pairs on the forex market. The CH stands for ‘Confoederatio Helvetica’. This is Latin for Switzerland. Whilst the F stands for ‘franc’.

But what makes this pairing so interesting?

  1.  The US dollar is the world’s largest and most actively traded currency. In fact, it represents approximately half the trading volume of all major currencies.
  2. The Swiss franc is popular because Switzerland holds an impressive one-third of the world’s privately-owned wealth in its banks.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that Switzerland is not the only country to use the Swiss franc. Liechtenstein, located between Switzerland and Austria and consisting of just 35,000 inhabitants, also use the Swiss franc.

Why Day Trade USD/CHF?

With so many currency pairings available, why does the USD/CHF currency pair deserve your attention?

Drawbacks & Risks

Although the USD/CHF pair comes with a number of benefits, there are also certain drawbacks and risks you should be aware of. The most significant of which are:

Influences on Movement

Trading the USD/CHF currency pair relies on a detailed understanding of what influences changes in prices and rates. Unfortunately, candlestick charts cannot give you the context that can often prove invaluable.

So, what affects movement in the USD/CHF exchange rate?

USD/CHF Currency Correlations

Currency pairs do not move independently of each other. Many are tied to the movement of other pairs. This is known as correlation. Correlation is a statistical measure, ranging from -1 to +1. You can have either:

Often the USD/CHF currency pair is negatively correlated with the EUR/USD. So, traders usually sell the USD/CHF when the EUR/USD price surges. The opposite then happens when the USD/CHF rallies.

There is also a negative correlation between the USD/CHF and the GBP/USD pairs. This is a result of the positive correlation of the Swiss franc, euro and British pound.

Switched on day traders will use this information to their advantage. Looking to other currency pairs may allow you to make more accurate short-term projections as to the movements of the USD/CHF.

USD/CHF Day Trading Strategy

Timing

One of the things that appeal about forex trading and investing is that markets are open 24/7, and you actually get a lot more profitable trading time with the USD/CHF pair than many others. You can trade the pair from Sunday evening until Friday afternoon in the US. However, both volume and volatility will vary throughout the day.

You will find both highs and lows during each 24-hour cycle, but bid-ask spreads will widen during quieter periods, then narrow during active periods. So, when is the best time to trade the USD/CHF pair?

The biggest daily moves often take place when Eurozone and Swiss economic data is released, plus at opening hours for equity, options and futures exchanges. A lot of the data mentioned on this page is usually released between 02:00 and 05:00 ET. The half an hour to one hour before these releases and the three hours afterwards will see the most activity.

Also, some US economic releases can come between 08:30 to 10:00 ET. Again, the periods preceding and following these releases can trigger price action. So, many strategies may benefit from focussing their attention on these time periods.

Traders should also note that forex action often drops significantly around the US lunch hour.

Example

If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward USD/CHF day trading strategy, then consider the example below.

Whilst some traders prefer a 5-minute or 15-minute real-time chart, for this basic strategy, a 1-hour chart is recommended.

You then simply need to mark the high and low of each candle of the trading day. Then your pending order buy should be entered 10 pips above the high. Whilst your pending order sell should be entered 10 pips below the low.

You will also need to minimise your risk and protect against substantial losses. So, place a stop-loss 30 pips from your buy/sell order.

The example here is basic. If you are looking for more detailed strategies, take a look at our strategy page.

News

Some people prefer day trading the USD/CHF currency pair using historical price charts and complex data. Whereas some focus on trading breaking news. News updates can quickly influence market sentiment.

However, to profit from these announcements you need to be tuned in and ready to react at a moment’s notice. Plus, you need access to reliable and thorough sources.

Below you will find some of the most popular and relevant news resources:

On top of breaking news announcements, these sources can also provide a number of other useful services:

So, if day trading on the USD/CHF using the news is part of your plan, all of the above are resources worth exploring.

History

Early History

Since the launch of the Swiss franc in 1850, the franc has enjoyed enormous strength as a currency. Today the USD/CHF pair now boasts the sixth-largest volume in the global forex space. Originally though, the history of the pair represented steady investment connections between the US and Switzerland.

Direct investments from the US to Switzerland have hit a massive $129.8 billion. As such, over the years the US has become Switzerland’s top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).

Both currencies have also benefited from strong trade ties. The US is Switzerland’s second-largest trade partner after Germany, representing a 10% share of Switzerland’s foreign trade. Conversely, Switzerland is the US’s 17th largest trading partner, worth just 1.4% of total US trade.

These trade and investment connections shaped much of the USD/CHF relationship for many years. Today, however, current prices and forex live charts respond to more current events.

Recent History

To some extent, the great depression shaped the Swiss franc we know today. It appreciated against all other major trading partners, except the Japanese yen. It grew so strong the SNB actually stepped in to intervene in the currency market.

The SNB aimed to halve the appreciation of the franc against the euro. However, the intervention had clearly failed by 2014. So spectacular was the failure that the franc surged, rallying over 25% in just a few minutes.

It is clear then that the SNB play a vital role in the FX market. This is particularly the case for those trading binary options based on the USD/CHF pair.

Many people do not realise the extent that movement in your live, forex interactive chart is influenced by past events. Events that if you know happened before, allow you to analyse and predict the effects on FX rates this time around.

Role of US Dollar

Whether your day trading strategy relies on support and resistance levels, daily pivot points, or breaking news, having a feel for the staggering role the US dollar plays will help you anticipate future price movement.

Below are some of the key roles the US dollar plays:

Just a brief look at a long-term USD/CHF chart will show you how prices and average daily ranges shift when announcements are made about the US dollar.

To understand whether the US dollar will strengthen or weaken against the Swiss franc then, you will need to consider a number of important economic indicators.

The most important of which, are as follows:

So, USD/CHF technical analysis and forecasts for today should take note of important data releases in the economic calendar.

Also, bear in mind the Federal Open market Committee holds eight regularly scheduled meetings per year and economic projections will be published along with press conferences every three weeks. All will result in the US dollar moving sharply against other currencies, including the Swiss franc.

Role of Swiss Franc

Getting to grips with USD/CHF day trading means understanding what drives the Swiss economy and franc. Switzerland has famously remained neutral in all major wars in Europe. It is also surrounded by the Alps and considered a stable, isolated nation. This has resulted in the Swiss franc becoming a safe haven currency when turmoil strikes.

This reputation is bolstered by their role in private banking. Despite rules loosening somewhat in the last ten years, Switzerland remains a huge global player in the private banking, insurance, and investment management sectors. They are home to global titans UBS and Credit Suisse.

However, focussing on economic activity in the Eurozone, which influences US movements, is perhaps more useful. 80% of Switzerland’s trade activity happens with the EU.

This means the SNB is often more concerned with its currency vs the euro than the US dollar. It usually only steps in if the franc is too weak or strong vs the euro. Why? Because this will benefit Swiss export businesses, that are mainly involved in trading with neighbouring countries.

To a certain extent then, the role of the Swiss franc and the size of the economy is determined by the successes of their major exporting industries. You will know of two of their big exporting industries, watches and pharmaceuticals.

Overall, your daily forex analysis will be influenced by the huge role the Swiss franc plays as a stable, safe-haven currency. Not to mention the support of the formidable banking system it has behind it.

Final Word on USD/CHF Trading

Day trading on the USD/CHF currency pair promises volatility, volume and liquidity. However, generating profits can prove challenging as the Swiss franc is seen as a safe-haven currency.

You will need to use in-depth technical analysis, calling on charts, patterns, the latest foreign exchange news, plus a range of economic resources and indicators. It is also important you find the best forex trading platform for your needs, who will facilitate fast and cost-effective trading.

If you can do all of the above, then you’re one step closer to joining the likes of hugely successful forex traders, such as George Soros and Richard Dennis.

For more guidance, see our forex page.

FAQ

What Is USD/CHF?

USD/CHF is one of the most popular traded currency pairs in the forex market, also known as the ‘Swissy’. The pair represents the exchange rate of how many Swiss francs (quote currency) it will cost to buy one US dollar (base currency).

The USD/CHF currency pair is popular due to the US dollar being the base currency (the world’s largest and most actively traded currency). In addition, the Swiss franc is often regarded as a safe haven currency, since Switzerland is a relatively stable country politically and financially.

What Are The Benefits Of Trading USD/CHF?

USD/CHF is less volatile than others pairs and also relatively liquid. Due to its stability, it is also fairly easy to apply technical and fundamental analysis when trading the currency pair. Traders can also enjoy a range of trading vehicles, such as futures, options and ETFs.

What Are The Risks Of Trading USD/CHF?

Due to less volatility than other pairs, traders may not have as many opportunities to profit from price swings. In addition, using leverage and margin when trading can carry some substantial risks.

How Can I Start Trading USD/CHF?

To start trading USD/CHF, you will need to register at an online broker. This will allow you to make a deposit and use the available trading platforms, such as MetaTrader 4. If you’re new to trading, it’s advised to start practising in a demo account first, which is usually offered for free.