If you’re new to trading, you’ve probably asked yourself:
Should I start with forex or crypto?
You’re not alone — I was in the same boat a few years ago, watching YouTube videos at 2 a.m. and wondering which market would help me “make it” faster. Both forex and crypto are exciting, fast-moving, and accessible to beginners. But they’re also very different beasts.
So let’s break it down in simple terms: forex vs crypto for beginner traders — which one is better to start with, what are the pros and cons, and what should you consider before diving in?
What Is Forex Trading?
Forex stands for “foreign exchange.” It’s the global market for trading national currencies like the US dollar (USD), euro (EUR), Japanese yen (JPY), and so on.
You’re basically betting on one currency going up or down in value against another. For example:
EUR/USD = you’re trading the euro against the dollar
GBP/JPY = British pound vs Japanese yen
Forex is one of the largest and most liquid markets in the world — we’re talking over $6 trillion traded per day.
What Is Crypto Trading?
Crypto trading is all about buying and selling digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of altcoins. Unlike forex, which is backed by central banks and governments, crypto is decentralized — there’s no middleman, and markets run 24/7.
Fun fact: The first time I ever traded was on a crypto exchange at midnight — I had no clue what I was doing, but the 24/7 nature of it made it feel accessible and exciting (also a bit overwhelming).
Forex vs Crypto for Beginner Traders: The Key Differences
Let’s compare the two markets head-to-head so you can figure out what fits you better as a beginner.
1. Market Hours
- Forex: Open 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday
- Crypto: Open 24/7, including weekends and holidays
- Winner for flexibility: Crypto, especially if you work full-time and only have weekends to trade. But be careful — the constant availability can make it addictive.
2. Volatility (aka How Wild It Gets)
- Forex: Generally more stable, especially major currency pairs. Good for steady strategies.
- Crypto: Extremely volatile — prices can swing 10–20% in a day, or even in an hour.
- Winner for adrenaline: Crypto. If you like fast moves, it’s exciting. But for beginners, the swings can lead to panic trades (been there, done that).
- My mistake: I once put $100 into a new altcoin that was trending on Twitter — it doubled in a day… and then dropped 70% overnight. I learned that high volatility can be a double-edged sword.
3. Complexity and Learning Curve
- Forex: Heavily influenced by macroeconomics, central bank decisions, and news events
- Crypto: Influenced by tech trends, hype, social media, and token-specific news
Both require learning, but forex can feel more technical at first. That said, crypto’s unpredictability can be hard to manage without solid research.
4. Risk and Leverage
- Forex brokers often offer high leverage (like 50:1 or more), which can magnify both gains and losses.
- Crypto exchanges also offer leverage, but beginners should avoid it like the plague until they know what they’re doing.
- Beginners beware: Leverage is tempting — “make more with less!” — but it’s also the fastest way to blow up your account.
- Tip: I blew my first $250 forex account using 100:1 leverage. It took less than a week. Stick to low leverage or none at all when you’re starting.
5. Access and Ease of Use
- Crypto: Super beginner-friendly platforms like Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken make it easy to start with $10 and a debit card.
- Forex: Slightly more intimidating setup — you’ll need to open a broker account, sometimes submit documents, and learn to use platforms like MetaTrader.
- Winner for ease: Crypto, hands down. If you’re looking for a “quick start,” crypto usually has a lower barrier to entry.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Factor Forex Crypto
Market Hours 24/5 24/7
Volatility Moderate High
Learning Curve Steeper (macro-heavy) Easier to grasp initially
Leverage High (risky) Also high (use caution!)
Access for Beginners Moderate (requires broker) Easy (apps & exchanges)
Regulation & Security Highly regulated Less regulation; more scams
Which Should You Start With?
Now that we’ve compared forex vs crypto for beginner traders, the answer really depends on your personality, schedule, and goals.
Choose Forex if:
- You want a more structured, regulated environment
- You’re okay learning about global economics and interest rates
- You like moderate risk and smoother price action
- You prefer a market that’s active on weekdays only
Choose Crypto if:
- You want to start small and fast
- You’re okay with high volatility and risk
- You’re interested in blockchain, NFTs, or DeFi
- You can manage your emotions when prices swing 20% in a day
Can You Trade Both?
Absolutely — just not at the same time when you’re starting out.
Pick one and master it before jumping into the other. Both markets require different tools, mindsets, and strategies. Start simple, and give yourself time to learn. You don’t need to rush into everything at once.
My advice: I started with crypto because it felt more accessible and exciting. After about a year of trading, I moved into forex to learn about more stable, long-term strategies. Having both in my toolkit now gives me flexibility depending on the market conditions.
Final Thoughts: Go With What Matches You
There’s no universally “right” answer in the forex vs crypto for beginner traders debate. The best market to start with is the one you’re more likely to understand, enjoy, and stick with.
Here’s a quick checklist:
Want weekend access and exciting volatility? Try crypto
Prefer structure, economic analysis, and steady trends? Go forex
Feel overwhelmed? Start with paper trading (practice accounts) in either market
Don’t trust yourself yet? That’s okay — take a course, follow reputable traders, and go slow
At the end of the day, trading is a skill — and like any skill, it takes time, patience, and a lot of trial and error. Whether you pick forex or crypto first, the real win is getting started and staying consistent.
Next Article To Read: The Secret Behind Successful Beginner Traders (Hint: Not Luck)