CFDs versus futures for a beginner: which is simpler?
CFDs let you choose position size freely and never expire; futures have fixed contract sizes, expiries and exchange rules. Both exist because they serve different needs, and neither is universally better.
What do you trade?
- the product and why you chose it
- what confused you about the alternative
- whether you've switched between them
The spot, forwards, swaps and futures guide compares the structures side by side.
Background: Spot, forwards, FX swaps, options and futures: the forex products explained
FX swaps, not spot trades, are the biggest part of the $9.6 trillion-a-day currency market. A plain guide to each foreign exchange product, who uses it, and where retail CFDs fit.
What is the difference between spot and forward forex?
A spot trade exchanges currencies at today's rate, normally settling two business days later. A forward fixes a rate today for an exchange on a later date, with the difference from spot reflecting the interest rate gap between the two currencies.
What is an FX swap?
Two linked trades: exchanging currencies now and reversing the exchange on a later date at a rate agreed today. FX swaps are mainly funding tools and made up 42% of forex turnover in April 2025.
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