TradeTodayWhat Asset Classes Can You Trade With a Forex Broker?
Modern forex brokers have expanded far beyond currency pairs. Today, most retail forex brokers offer access to a range of asset classes through CFDs (contracts ...
Table of Contents
- The Main Asset Classes Available at Forex Brokers
- 1. Forex (Currency Pairs)
- 2. Commodities
- 3. Stock Indices (Index CFDs)
- 4. Individual Stock CFDs
- 5. Cryptocurrencies
- 6. Bonds and Interest Rate Products
- Asset Class Availability by Broker Type
- What Traders Should Check Before Assuming Full Asset Access
- The Advantage of Multi-Asset Brokers
Modern forex brokers have expanded far beyond currency pairs. Today, most retail forex brokers offer access to a range of asset classes through CFDs (contracts for difference) — allowing traders to speculate on the price movements of stocks, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies from a single account.
Understanding which asset classes are available, and what to expect from each, helps you choose a broker that matches your complete trading interests — not just your forex activity.
The Main Asset Classes Available at Forex Brokers
1. Forex (Currency Pairs)
The core offering of every forex broker. Currency pairs are grouped into:
- Major pairs: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, USD/CHF, AUD/USD, USD/CAD, NZD/USD — the most liquid, tightest spreads
- Minor pairs (crosses): EUR/GBP, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY — liquid but wider spreads than majors
- Exotic pairs: USD/TRY, USD/ZAR, USD/MXN — lower liquidity, high volatility, very wide spreads
Most brokers offer 40–80+ currency pairs. Some offshore and specialist brokers offer 100+.
2. Commodities
Traded as CFDs. The most popular include:
- Precious metals: Gold (XAU/USD) and Silver (XAU/USD) — among the most actively traded non-forex instruments at retail brokers
- Energy: Crude Oil (WTI and Brent), Natural Gas
- Agricultural (less common at retail brokers): Corn, Wheat, Soybeans
Gold is particularly popular as a safe-haven asset and is offered by virtually all multi-asset forex brokers.
3. Stock Indices (Index CFDs)
Price exposure to a basket of stocks representing a national or sector market:
- US30 (Dow Jones), US500 (S&P 500), US100 (Nasdaq 100)
- UK100 (FTSE 100), GER40 (DAX), FRA40 (CAC 40)
- JPN225 (Nikkei 225), AUS200 (ASX 200)
Index CFDs allow traders to take a view on entire economies without holding individual stocks.
4. Individual Stock CFDs
Some brokers — particularly those offering MT5 or proprietary platforms — offer CFDs on individual company shares: Apple, Tesla, Amazon, Meta, and hundreds of others.
Note: stock CFDs are less commonly available at pure forex brokers; they are more prevalent at multi-asset brokers and those regulated for securities dealing.
5. Cryptocurrencies
Most retail forex brokers now offer a selection of crypto CFDs:
- Bitcoin (BTC/USD), Ethereum (ETH/USD) — most widely available
- Litecoin, Ripple, Solana, Cardano — available at select brokers
Crypto CFD spreads are significantly wider than forex, and leverage caps are extreme (1:2 under ESMA/FCA rules for retail clients). Crypto CFDs are available 24/7 but not offered at all regulated brokers.
6. Bonds and Interest Rate Products
Some multi-asset brokers offer CFDs on sovereign bonds — US T-Notes, German Bunds, UK Gilts. Less commonly traded by retail forex clients but available at larger, more comprehensive brokers.
Asset Class Availability by Broker Type
| Asset Class | Standard Forex Broker | Multi-Asset Broker | ECN Broker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | ✓ Full range | ✓ Full range | ✓ Full range |
| Gold / Silver | ✓ Usually | ✓ Yes | ✓ Usually |
| Energy CFDs | ◑ Some | ✓ Yes | ◑ Some |
| Index CFDs | ◑ Some | ✓ Yes | ◑ Some |
| Stock CFDs | ✗ Rare | ✓ Yes | ✗ Rare |
| Crypto CFDs | ◑ Some | ✓ Most | ◑ Some |
| Bonds | ✗ Rare | ◑ Some | ✗ Rare |
What Traders Should Check Before Assuming Full Asset Access
Not all asset classes are available in all account types or jurisdictions:
- Regulated EU/UK retail accounts have strict leverage caps across asset classes — 1:30 on major forex, 1:10 on commodities, 1:5 on stocks, 1:2 on crypto
- Crypto CFDs are restricted or unavailable in some jurisdictions, including to UK retail clients under specific FCA guidance
- Stock CFDs may require a separate account or higher regulatory approval in some jurisdictions
- Some brokers offer certain assets only to professional clients, not retail accounts
Always check the specific instruments available for your country and account type — the broker's asset list on its marketing page may not fully apply to your situation.
The Advantage of Multi-Asset Brokers
Trading multiple asset classes through a single broker account offers several practical benefits:
- Consolidated margin — use your account balance as margin across forex, gold, and indices simultaneously
- Single platform — manage all positions from one charting and order management interface
- Correlation opportunities — trade macro themes across related instruments (e.g., USD strength affecting both forex pairs and gold simultaneously)
For traders who follow global macro trends rather than a single market, choosing a broker with genuine multi-asset capability is a significant operational advantage.
Image suggestion: Icon-based asset class grid showing all available instrument categories — forex, metals, energy, indices, stocks, crypto — with the number of instruments available in each, organized by broker type.
M.K
Founder & Chief Editor
Founder of TradeToday. Specializing in Forex markets, broker regulations, and trading platforms evaluation with years of industry experience.
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