2025-09-03
Currencies that usually price above one US dollar per unit include the Kuwaiti dinar, Bahraini dinar, Omani rial, Jordanian dinar, British pound, Gibraltar pound, Cayman Islands dollar, Swiss franc, and often the euro. A higher unit price reflects pegs, policy choices, market design, and liquidity rather than simple economic strength.
When people ask which currency is worth more than the US dollar, they mean the nominal exchange rate per unit. If one unit buys more than one US dollar, that unit is worth more in nominal terms. This is different from overall strength, which also depends on inflation, real interest rates, reserves, liquidity, and credible policy.
Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD). Often the highest per unit price. Supported by oil revenues and a managed peg to a basket. Retail access is limited ,and spreads can be wide.
Bahraini Dinar (BHD). Pegged above USD for stability. Backed by hydrocarbons and a financial centre. Retail access is narrow.
Omani Rial (OMR). Firm peg at a high unit value. Conservative fiscal policy and energy receipts.
Jordanian Dinar (JOD). Managed peg. Policy credibility keeps the unit above USD.
British Pound (GBP). Free-floating major with deep liquidity. Often above USD, though parity shifts can occur.
Gibraltar Pound (GIP). Pegged one for one with GBP, so it tends to sit above USD when sterling does.
Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD). Pegged to USD at a premium, reflecting policy and a finance-heavy economy.
Swiss Franc (CHF). Highly liquid and often above USD through cycles.
Euro (EUR). Frequently above USD, though it has dipped below parity at times.
High per-unit value is often the result of design and policy. Pegged currencies may target a premium over USD for trade and budget stability. Large reserve buffers from resource revenues can defend pegs. For free floaters such as GBP and CHF, independent central banks, low inflation, and deep capital markets support higher valuations.
Countries can also choose larger currency units, which lifts the face value without implying stronger purchasing power.
Majors such as GBP, EUR, and CHF offer deep liquidity, tighter spreads, and a wide choice of instruments.
Pegged or tightly managed currencies such as KWD, BHD, OMR, JOD, and KYD often have limited retail access and wider spreads.
For most traders, majors are more practical vehicles. Pegged currencies serve as macro context rather than direct trading targets.
Policy shocks can move both groups, while pegs add tail risks that can be abrupt and binary. (Central Bank of Kuwait)
Use this quick view to frame instrument choice and execution planning.
| Category | Example Pairs | Liquidity Profile | Typical Access | Practical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free-Floating Majors | GBPUSD, EURUSD, USDCHF | Deep during the London and New York sessions | Spot, forwards, futures, options, CFDs | Tight spreads, many strikes, broad analysis coverage |
| Pegged or Tightly Managed | USDKWD, USDBHD, USDOMR, USDJOD, USDKYD | Thin on many retail platforms | Often limited or unavailable to retail | Wider spreads, restricted hours, policy-driven behaviour |
| Risk Proxies & Alternatives | DXY, energy contracts, gold | Deep in liquid hours | Futures, ETFs, CFDs | Useful when direct access to pegs is limited |
Trade GBPUSD or EURUSD when growth or policy shifts favour Europe or the United Kingdom relative to the United States.
Trade USDCHF for safe haven flows and rate differentials between the Federal Reserve and the Swiss National Bank.
Use the dollar index, equity indices, or energy contracts as liquid proxies when pegged currencies are inaccessible.
Consider gold as a hedge when the aim is protection against dollar weakness and inflation rather than a currency-specific view.
Major pairs carry tight spreads and deep books during European and US hours, which helps reduce slippage and improve fill quality. Pegged pairs are often less accessible for retail, with wider spreads and fewer instruments.
Plan around central bank meetings, inflation, jobs data, and major geopolitical events. Use limit orders in fast markets, check funding costs for leveraged products, and manage gap risk near announcements.
If the market expects the Federal Reserve to cut rates before the Swiss National Bank, the expected narrowing of the US yield advantage can weigh on USD and support CHF. A trader might:
Identify the policy window with the calendar and focus on statement language and guidance.
Map daily and four-hour levels to find logical entries and stops.
Enter during liquid hours using limit orders and keep position size modest.
Take partial profits at nearby supports and move stops to breakeven when the price moves in favour.
Reduce or close around the press conference if volatility risks exceed plan limits.
Peg: A fixed or managed exchange rate against another currency or basket. (Central Bank of Oman)
Parity: When two currencies trade at a one-to-one value.
Carry: Return from interest rate differentials after funding costs.
Real Yield: Interest rate adjusted for inflation.
Is a currency above USD always a better investment?
No. A higher unit price does not guarantee better returns. Liquidity, spreads, policy credibility, and the cycle matter more for trade decisions.
Why do oil exporters often have high-value units?
They tend to run external surpluses and hold large reserves, which support pegs and credibility. Policy often targets stability for trade and budgets.
Which pairs are most practical for retail traders?
GBPUSD, EURUSD, and USDCHF offer deep liquidity, tight spreads, and widely available tools. They are the best vehicles to express views linked to currencies that sit above USD per unit.
Use limit orders in fast markets to control slippage.
Avoid chasing headlines. Let price settle and trade levels.
Keep a trading journal to review execution quality and risk control.
Scale position size only after the results are repeatable.
Several currencies are priced above the US dollar per unit, led by KWD, BHD, OMR, and JOD, with GBP, GIP, KYD, CHF, and often EUR also above parity.
Nominal unit value is not the same as broad currency strength. Liquidity, policy, and rates matter more for trading results.
Most traders should focus on liquid majors for cost control and execution quality, and treat pegged currencies as macro context rather than primary trading targets.
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.
