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How to lock in an exchange rate for your money transfer with hedging options

Save on your international money transfer or forex trade with a temporary, guaranteed rate.

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Hedging options and forward contracts, especially for recurring transfers, can help you lock in a great exchange rate.

What does it mean to “hedge” your options?

The investment community uses “hedging” to describe protecting or lowering your risk of loss on a trade. There are a few tools you can use to hedge your risk in the foreign exchange and currency transfer market: forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders.

Contract options

Forex transactions can be completed in two ways: by using a spot contract or using a forward contract.

Spot contracts

A spot contract is just that — a rate that a bank or money transfer service quotes on the spot at the moment of your exchange. If you’re sending a one-off transfer, you’re using a spot contract. The rate you’re offered is often a margin above the interbank or mid-market rate, marked up a bit so the provider can pocket the difference. You’ll typically get a better spot contract with an independent money transfer service than you will with a bank.

Forward contracts

Unlike a spot contract, a forward contract allows you to lock in a favorable exchange rate for future purchases, protecting you against unexpected fluctuations in exchange rates. Ideal for businesses or those making recurring transfers, these agreements usually guarantee you a rate from 30 days to up to two years. They typically require a deposit with the balance due once the contract is executed.

What is the mid-market rate?

The mid-market rate is what your money’s actually worth on the global market compared to another currency. It’s the midpoint between worldwide supply and demand for that currency — and the rate banks and transfer services use when they trade among themselves. Use this rate as a baseline to compare against the rates provided by your bank or transfer service. With it, you’ll discover which companies offer the best rates.

Order options

Exchange rates constantly fluctuate, and most foreign exchange providers offer order services that smooth out the predictability of these fluctuations. Order options are best for those who have a good handle on predictions and know when it’s a good time to buy.

Limit orders

With a limit order, you specify your ideal exchange rate. When the market reaches that rate, it’s locked in and you’re contacted to authorize the completion of your transfer.

Stop-loss orders

A stop-loss order is nearly the opposite of a limit order: instead of specifying an ideal rate, you indicate a rate you want to avoid dropping below. If the market falls to that rate, your currency is purchased automatically, giving you the potential to profit when the market rises again. Many people use limit orders and stop-loss orders together.

Recurring payments

If you need to send regular transfers overseas — weekly, monthly or quarterly payments to the same recipient — many services will allow you to lock in even better rates with lower fees.

As with any money transfer transaction, be sure to compare your options so you can get the best rates and fees for your money.

How can I hedge with an online forex broker?

To begin hedging your forex trades, you’ll need to:

  1. Determine your options. Learn whether your broker offers such hedging tools as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders or find one that does.
  2. Assess your risk tolerance. No trade carries zero risk, so you’ll need to determine how much risk you’re willing to take.
  3. Choose two currencies to trade. Consider pairing the “majors” — for example, dollars and pounds — against the euro.
  4. Contact a forex broker. If you’re a new client or will make ongoing exchanges, ask if you’re eligible for any bonuses or perks. Then get to hedging your trades.

Compare international money transfers

Our table lets you compare the services you can use to send money abroad. Compare services on transfer speeds and fees, then click Go to site when you're ready to send.
1 - 14 of 14
Name Product Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
Western Union
Within minutes
From $0
Enjoy $0 fee on your first online transfer. Western Union makes money from currency exchange. Not valid on credit cards or sends to Cuba.
Western Union sends money online to friends and family in 200+ countries and territories around the world.
Airwallex
Airwallex
Within minutes
$0
After spending $15k in your first 90 days, receive a one-time $500 bonus that will automatically be credited to your account on any FX conversion.
Airwallex can help you make business payments to 150+ countries in 60+ currencies.
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies.
Instarem
24 hours
From 0%
New Instarem customers will get a special FX rate and zero-fees on their first transfer.
Instarem offers offers rewards on every transaction.
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $0
First online transfer is free.
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Cash App
Within minutes
From $0
With this peer-to-peer payment app make payments to your friends and family with no transfer fees within the US or from the US to the UK or EU.
OFX International Money Transfers (Business)
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
CurrencyTransfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
Xe Money Transfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
Currencies Direct (business)
24 hours
$0
Minimizes costs of international transactions and offers custom solutions for business clients. Currencies Direct may call you to confirm your transfer, so be prepared for a phone call shortly after initiating a transfer.
Xe
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
CurrencyTransfer
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
Currencies Direct
24 hours
$0
CurrenciesDirect makes transferring money abroad simple with bank-beating exchange rates. Currencies Direct may call you to confirm your transfer, so be prepared for a phone call shortly after initiating a transfer.
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Whether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.

Name Product Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
OFX International Money Transfers (Business)
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
Xe
Within minutes
$4
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $0
First online transfer is free.
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Instarem
24 hours
From 0%
New Instarem customers will get a special FX rate and zero-fees on their first transfer.
Instarem offers offers rewards on every transaction.
Xe Money Transfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
CurrencyTransfer
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
WorldRemit - 4free
Within minutes
From $0.99
Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
PayPal (business)
Within minutes
$0
Provides business solutions for small business owners in over 24 currencies worldwide. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
Wise (TransferWise) International Money Transfers Business
Within minutes
From $8.16
Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 20 currencies, while saving up to 90% over local banks.
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies.
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies.
CurrencyTransfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
WorldRemit
Within minutes
From $0.99
Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
CurrencyFair
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
CurrencyFair
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
PayPal
Within minutes
From $0
Use PayPal to safely send money and receive payments from around the world in over 25 currencies with just an email address or mobile number. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
Xe
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
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2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    U.K.August 12, 2018

    I plan to go spend some very long periods in Buenos Aires, and see the exchange rate is currently good. What are my options about forward buying or locking in right now ? And if so, how ?

      AvatarFinder
      JoshuaAugust 23, 2018Finder

      Hi U.K. resident,

      Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)

      As what our guide mentioned, there are a few tools that you might want to try. These are the Contract Options (Spot Contracts and Forward Contracts) and Order Options (Limit Orders and Stop-Loss Order). Please refer to our guide to know more about these tools.

      Once you have already decided which tools to use, you can then read more about them.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

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