Media Release Survey of Foreign Exchange and Derivatives Markets

In April 2010, the Reserve Bank conducted a survey of activity in foreign exchange and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives markets in Australia. This was part of a global survey of 53 countries, co-ordinated by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). Similar surveys have been conducted every three years since 1989.

Activity in Australia's foreign exchange market has continued to increase since the previous survey in 2007, although the rate of growth has slowed. Total turnover increased by around 12 per cent, reflecting strong growth in spot turnover. In terms of global turnover, the Australian foreign exchange market remains the seventh largest in the world.

Globally, the Australian dollar is now the fifth most traded currency and the AUD/USD remains the fourth most traded currency pair.

The preliminary results of the global survey and links to other participating nations' results are available from the BIS website. Results for the Australian market, collected by the Reserve Bank, are attached.

Foreign Exchange Market Tables
OTC Interest Rate Derivatives Tables