Summary:
Discover the most profitable forex major pairs in 2025 with our ranking list. Find out which currencies offer the best returns for traders this year.
In 2025, forex traders are focusing on major currency pairs that deliver opportunity through volatility, economic divergence, and central bank policy shifts.
Forex major pairs such as EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, and USD/CAD are driving the highest attempted profits.
Listed below is a comprehensive list of the most lucrative major pairs for this year, featuring current performance, key trends, and trader perspectives.
Performance & Profitability
The EUR/USD pair consistently leads global trading, accounting for around 20–23% of all daily volumes. Its dominance ensures tight spreads, deep liquidity, and a clear reaction to economic data.
After a significant rally earlier this year, the euro pulled back from a peak of approximately $1.183 to the low 1.15 range after a U.S.–EU trade agreement that introduced 15% tariffs on exports.
Traders profited from both long and short positions during this roller-coaster volatility.
Why It's Profitable
Deep liquidity and tight spreads
Sensitive to Fed vs. ECB rates, U.S. inflation, and trade policy
The recent two-day EUR decline of ~2.5% created strong momentum trades
Performance & Profitability
USD/JPY benefited from diverging monetary policies as Japan maintained ultra-loose rates while the U.S. kept rates elevated. The dollar climbed from ~146 to ~153–154 yen, offering several percentage points of return for momentum traders.
Why It's Profitable
Clear directional moves tied to U.S. yield trends and safe-haven flows
BoJ's rare shift to a 0.1% rate hike in early 2025 triggered additional yen positioning shifts
Strong performance amid risk-on and risk-off cycles
Performance & Profitability
Uncertainty over UK growth and post-Brexit trade settings drove GBP/USD in wide ranges around 1.235–1.25, offering sharp returns as rapid moves occurred during BoE hints or U.S. dollar dynamics.
Why It's Profitable
High pip range and clear technical patterns (wedge, triangle)
Reacts strongly to economic releases (UK CPI, U.S. non-farm payrolls)
Traders use both news scalps and swing trades
Performance & Profitability
The AUD gained value at the start of 2025 due to increasing commodity prices and optimistic growth in China, which then declined as global risk sentiment changed. This volatility translated into profitable trades across the 0.6355–0.6565 range.
Why It's Profitable
Strong correlation with commodities like iron ore, gold, and Chinese PMI
Traders use both breakout and range strategies
The rate differential between the RBA and the Fed supports carry trades
Performance & Profitability
USD/CAD increased from approximately 1.39 to about 1.42 due to fluctuations in crude oil and economic differences between the U.S and Canada. The pair benefited from changes in commodity tariffs and diverging central bank stances.
Why It's Profitable
Sensitive to oil price swings, making it ideal for commodity traders
Clear macro directional cues from Fed vs. BoC
Wide trading ranges are great for breakout strategies
Performance & Profitability
USD/CHF has been steady but profitable during risk-on episodes. The Swiss franc rallied modestly amid geopolitical jitters but otherwise maintained steady movement within the 0.875–0.900 range against the USD.
Why It's Profitable
Safe-haven pullbacks and recoveries
Lower volatility but reliable reversals
Often used as hedge trades or portfolio diversification
Performance & Profitability
EUR/JPY climbed toward approximately 159–160 levels as the ECB stayed cautious, while the yen declined due to the BoJ's dovish stance. Swing traders captured 3–6% moves during heightened volatility.
Why It's Profitable
Captures the compounded effects of Euro appreciation and yen weakness
Strong movement during risk-on periods
Technical patterns (crossing moving averages) are frequently exploited
Performance & Profitability
GBP/JPY has delivered top-tier pip movement in 2025. Sharp divergence between the Bank of England and the BoJ resulted in double-digit returns in yen for GBP-denominated trades.
Why It's Profitable
Extremely high volatility and momentum swings
Macro drivers include UK rate moves and Asian sentiment
Ideal for experienced traders using tight stops and leveraged positions
Performance & Profitability
EUR/GBP fluctuated within narrow ranges (1.15–1.17) but provided chances for profit amidst ECB vs BoE policy changes. The pair rose slightly as eurozone sentiment improved, outweighing worries over UK growth.
Why It's Profitable
Less USD volatility exposure
Divergent interest rate expectations between the ECB and the BoE
Clean range trading setups with high liquidity
Performance & Profitability
The NZD has seen moderate strength linked to export prices, but after China's weakness, the pair retreated from ~0.594 down toward ~0.574. Traders capitalised on the fall amid global demand.
Why It's Profitable
Commodity-linked movements tied to dairy and trade dynamics
Risk sentiment second wave plays
Useful for trend-following strategies during economic divergence
| Rank | Currency Pair | Key 2025 Themes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | EUR/USD | Rate divergence, U.S.–EU tariffs, euro swings |
| 2 | USD/JPY | Fed vs BoJ policy spread, risk sentiment shifts |
| 3 | GBP/USD | Brexit uncertainty, volatility, BoE vs Fed yields |
| 4 | AUD/USD | Commodities recovery, Chinese demand, rate differentials |
| 5 | USD/CAD | Oil price swings, North American rate divergence |
| 6 | USD/CHF | Safe‑haven flows, SNB interventions, low volatility trading |
| 7 | EUR/JPY | ECB vs BoJ divergence and risk-on major moves |
| 8 | GBP/JPY | High volatility, macro momentum, complex positioning |
| 9 | EUR/GBP | Brexit residual trades, ECB/BoE policy divergence |
| 10 | NZD/USD | Export-driven swings, China risk sensitivity |
Central Bank Divergence & Interest Rate Gaps
Profitable trades follow interest rate differentials, the U.S. staying higher while others (Japan, Switzerland) remain dovish, causing a strong directional bias.
Global Trade & Tariff Shifts
Trade deals and tariffs (e.g., U.S.–EU, U.S.–Japan) triggered rapid adjustments in EUR/USD, USD/JPY, and commodity pairs.
Commodity Linkages
AUD/USD and USD/CAD traders profited from iron ore and oil price swings tied to macro sentiment and Fed rate expectations.
Risk‑On / Risk‑Off Cycles
Pairs like USD/JPY, GBP/JPY, EUR/JPY and USD/CHF delivered timely opportunities during transitions between risk appetite and aversion.
Fed's next steps: Powell's rhetoric has already bolstered the dollar in July after 'higher for longer' signals.
ECB and BoE divergence: slow cuts in the Eurozone, potential BoE moves, trading impact on EUR/USD and GBP pairs.
BoJ signals: Further normalisation could support yen strength.
Oil and commodity trends: critical for AUD and CAD pairs.
Risk sentiment: resurfacing global tensions could refuel safe-haven moves in JPY and CHF.
In conclusion, the most profitable forex major pairs in 2025 offer strong directional profit potential underpinned by central bank divergence, trade policy shifts, and commodity volatility.
However, continuous success this year hinges on blending macro awareness, technical precision, and disciplined risk management. Whether you're a day trader, swing trader, or position holder, these pairs offer clear opportunities if navigated cautiously.
Disclaimer: This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended as (and should not be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by EBC or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
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