The currency market is a haven for active traders. Bid-ask spreads are typically close to zero, and commissions are minimal. A number of currency pairs have spreads of less than one pip. It is possible to trade forex frequently without incurring significant transaction costs. A bull market will always exist somewhere in the currency market. Because of the long-short nature of forex, the diversity of global currencies, and the weak or even negative correlation of many currencies with stock markets, trading opportunities are constantly available. There's no reason to sit on the sidelines for years during a market downturn. Even though it has a bad reputation for being risky, Forex is a great place to start active trading. Currency volatility is lower than that of stocks, as long as leverage is avoided. Because passive investments in the FX market provide low returns, it is more difficult to mistake a bull market for being a financial genius. If they are successful in the currency market, they will be able to make money elsewhere. Finally, the forex market allows experienced traders to use far greater leverage. Regulation T severely limits the maximum leverage available to stock investors in the United States. Leverage ratios of 50 to 1 are common in the foreign exchange market, but 400 to 1 leverage is possible on occasion. Currency trading's high leverage is one factor that contributes to its risky reputation. High leverage is not recommended for new forex traders. It is best to begin with very little leverage and gradually increase it as their profits and experience grow.