Typically a trader's trading platform will show traders three important numbers associated with his account: his balance, his equity, and his margin remaining.

Internet-based market makers would take the other side of retail trader’s trades. The new companies felt that there was enough liquidity in the forex market, and eventually within their own customer base, to guarantee markets under all but the most unusual market conditions.

The ten most active traders account for almost 73% of trading volume. These large international banks continually provide the market with both bid (buy) and ask (sell) prices.