Global Markets

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is a private, not-for-profit agency authorised by the U.S. Congress to protect American investors from fraud and wrong-doing by securities brokers. It's not part of the U.S. government but is overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is part of the government. FINRA regulates U.S. brokerage firms by enforcing its own rules as well as federal securities laws and those of the Municipal…

Probably no other American president has expressed so much public displeasure with his own choice to head the U.S. Federal Reserve as has Donald Trump with Jerome Powell. It actually reached the point that much speculation has arisen as to whether or not he can fire the Fed chair if he wishes. The quick answer seems to be no, but there may be some highly political and difficult means for…

Since its creation in 1973 by the Fed, the trade-weighted U.S. dollar index has been used to track the dollar's value against the currencies of major American trading partners.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government. It regulates the futures, options, derivatives and swaps markets. Learn more about how the CFTC functions at FXCM.

There is an important difference between "on-the-run" and "off-the-run" securities that goes beyond distinguishing between newer and older issues. Learn more about these securities at FXCM Insights.

2018 has been an active year on the geopolitical front, led by a developing U.S.-China trade war. Escalating tariffs between the two nations threaten to disrupt the US$640 billion in annual two-way trade, but how would this impact the USD?

The Canadian dollar (CAD) has a storied history throughout the development of North America, world wars and international financial challenges. Existing as a pegged or floating currency, the CAD has shown resilience in the face of global economic chaos.

The United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) is the long-awaited revision of NAFTA promised by the Trump administration. Officially signed by member nations at the 2018 G20 Summit, USMCA aims to restructure North American trade and commerce.

The Volcker rule was implemented in the U.S. in 2013, and was designed as a way to avoid another financial crisis. The rule restricts American banks and foreign banks doing business in the U.S. from specific financial activity. Learn how it works at FXCM.