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The Policy Contradictions Behind the Yen's Sharp Decline
Last week, the foreign exchange market was volatile, with the USD/JPY rising by 1.28%, approaching the 158 level, sparking widespread concern over potential Japanese government intervention. The significant depreciation of the yen was not solely due to market factors but stemmed from inherent conflicts between the Bank of Japan and government policies.
The Bank of Japan raised interest rates by 25 basis points as scheduled, seemingly tightening policy. However, Governor Ueda Kazuo's dovish stance dampened market expectations of further rate hikes. Making matters worse, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet simultaneously approved a massive fiscal stimulus plan totaling 18.3 trillion yen. This move directly offset the effects of the rate hike, shaking market confidence in Japan's monetary policy outlook.
Dollar Index Strengthens, Divergence Among Non-US Currencies
Last week (12/15-12/19), the Dollar Index rose by 0.33%, continuing its relative strength, while non-US currencies showed divergence. The Euro

This is the story of Kawaguchi Ginzo, who rose from extreme poverty to become Japan's stock market legend, amassing great wealth through calm judgment and adherence to fundamental principles. However, due to greed and failure to sell in time, he ultimately lost a profit of 30 billion yen. This teaches us that rational investing and controlling greed are key factors for success.

Why is forex trading worth paying attention to? In simple terms, the most traded product in the global financial markets is currency exchange between countries. Compared to investment products like stocks, bonds, and gold, the daily trading volume of the forex market exceeds 6 trillion USD, offering unparalleled liquidity. More importantly, ordinary people encounter foreign currencies in daily life through international travel, overseas shopping, and international trade, making participation much more accessible than other investment methods.
The core of foreign currency trading — what is the exchange rate difference?
To profit in the forex market, you first need to understand the concept of "spread." The spread is the difference in exchange rates of the same currency at different times or through different channels. Traders predict future currency exchange rate movements and adopt strategies of "buy low, sell high" or "sell high, buy low" to earn the profit from the difference.
How is the spread profit calculated?
The calculation formula is simple: Profit = (Close Price - Open Price) × Trading Volume

Want to profit in the currency market but don't know where to start? Many people feel both excited and confused about foreign currency investment. In fact, as long as you understand a few core concepts and choose the investment channels that suit you, beginners can definitely find opportunities in foreign currency investment. This comprehensive guide will take you deep into the various methods, risk characteristics, and practical advice for foreign currency investment.
Foreign Currency VS Forex: It's Important to Clarify These Two Concepts
When it comes to foreign currency investment, many people confuse "foreign currency" and "forex." In reality, there is a clear distinction between the two.
Foreign currency specifically refers to various foreign currencies other than the domestic currency, including physical forms such as banknotes and coins. Forex, on the other hand, is broader and not only includes national currencies but also encompasses assets in foreign currency form, such as bank deposits, government bonds, corporate bonds, and other financial instruments. Simply put, foreign currency is a subset of forex.
In the forex market, investment activities include four levels:
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The precious metals market in 2026 continues its strong trend, with gold and silver prices rising, supported by expectations of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. However, short-term gains come with structural adjustment risks, and the market may face selling pressure on holdings. Investors should exercise caution in responding to market volatility.

Dogecoin (DOGE) is currently under pressure in price, showing a bearish alignment, with a low probability of rebound in the short term. There are two predicted trends: gradual decline or rapid drop, with the former being more likely. Investors should adjust their strategies based on their holdings; those with heavy positions should patiently observe, those with light positions can deploy gradually, and those with no positions should wait for clear buy signals, paying attention to technical analysis and capital flows to protect their capital.

Silver experienced a pullback after reaching $84/oz, falling by 5%, showing a clear divergence from the gold market. Technical indicators suggest the silver market is overheated, coupled with supply-demand imbalances and news impacts, leading to increased price volatility. Silver is structurally fragile, facing supply shortages that could affect industrial uses. The future market trend will depend on supply conditions and investor reactions.

The after-hours and futures electronic markets in the US stock market provide opportunities for extended trading hours, allowing investors to position themselves based on the latest news. However, participation in such trading requires attention to liquidity shortages, institutional dominance, and price volatility risks. Rational participation and the development of effective risk management strategies are crucial.

From Peak to Weak Rebound, What's Happening to Shipping Stocks?
The story of shipping stocks is like a roller coaster. In mid-2022, global shipping giants led by Maersk reached a historic high—quarterly profits once soared to $8.879 billion. But the reality was harsh; by the second quarter of 2023, this figure plummeted to $1.453 billion, a decline of 83%.
You read that right. Maersk's market value peaked in early 2022 and has since fallen by 60%. The same tragic story applies to German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd, whose market value has also retreated by nearly 70% since the end of 2022.
Why have shipping stocks become the "harvest" for investors?
Simply put, shipping stocks are a barometer of macroeconomic conditions. When global trade is active and the economy is growing, these companies transport more goods, and profits rise. But once the economy enters a recession and trade cools down,

For Taiwanese investors, Hong Kong stocks are an important gateway to international investment and a strategic platform for expanding into the Chinese and Asia-Pacific markets. This guide will systematically introduce the trading characteristics, investment advantages, and trading rules of Hong Kong stocks, and select representative Hong Kong stock targets to help investors formulate their Hong Kong stock investment plans.
Hong Kong Stock Market: Mature, Fair, Efficient
As one of the most mature capital markets in Asia, Hong Kong stocks possess several notable advantages that make them particularly attractive to Taiwanese investors:
Market History and Regulatory Framework
The Hong Kong securities market dates back to 1866, with the first exchange officially established in 1891. After over 130 years of development, it has formed clear trading rules and a strict regulatory system. As one of the fairest and most mature markets in the world, this well-regulated environment allows investors to participate in Hong Kong stock trading with confidence.
Geographical and Language Advantages
Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are all located in East Asia, with similar trading hours, and language

ADA (Ada) as the native token of Cardano has gained market recognition for its advanced PoS consensus mechanism and robust ecosystem planning. However, its ecosystem development is relatively lagging, and there is still a need to strengthen application layer construction and technical delivery. Achieving progress in application areas such as DeFi will be key in the future.

What exactly is a liquidation? Why does it happen when you are completely unprepared?
You may have heard of someone investing and losing everything overnight, even ending up in debt—that's what is called a "liquidation." Simply put, liquidation occurs when your trading position is against your prediction, and the funds in your account fall below the minimum margin requirement. The trading system will automatically force close all your positions, leaving you with no chance to recover.
Even more frightening, liquidation not only causes you to lose your principal investment; if the market moves too extremely, you could also incur debt—owing money to the broker even after losing all your initial capital.
Why does liquidation happen? There are mainly two core reasons:
1. Incorrect judgment: You predict the market will move in a certain direction, but it moves in the opposite direction.
2. Insufficient margin: The loss is too large, and the account equity drops below the broker's minimum margin requirement.
When the system detects that your available margin is insufficient to maintain your current

Divergence refers to the phenomenon where multiple indicators or assets move in opposing directions, signaling potential market turning points. It's crucial for traders and investors to recognize these signals for effective portfolio management and investment strategies.

The essay highlights the pitfalls of over-analyzing market trends and emphasizes the importance of timing over direction in trading. By focusing on capital flow and disciplined execution, the author outlines a successful strategy that dramatically increased their portfolio with minimal effort.

Recent success stories in cryptocurrency trading have highlighted a particular technical approach: one delivery worker in Zhejiang province stayed committed to a single strategy and transformed 500 USDT into 60,000 USDT in half a year—a 120x return that exceeds a decade of traditional income.

Can the Forex Market Actually Be Profitable?
Many novice traders ask the same question—"Can you really make money in Forex?" In simple terms, there are indeed profit opportunities in the Forex market. As the largest and most liquid financial market globally, with daily trading volumes exceeding $6 trillion, it far surpasses the total of futures and stock trading.
In the past, Forex investment was mainly dominated by financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals. However, with technological advancements, ordinary investors can now participate as well. According to statistics, retail traders currently account for over 30% of the daily Forex trading volume. The popularity of derivatives such as futures and Contracts for Difference (CFDs) has led to a continuous increase in the number of retail participants in Forex trading.
However, like stock investing, the Forex market offers lucrative profit opportunities but also carries significant risks. Industry data shows that 70%-90% of individual investors have experienced losses in Forex trading. Therefore, beginners should be cautious when entering the market.

The Core Function of Currency Symbols
Currency symbols are visual codes used for quick identification of currencies from different countries and regions. In forex trading and international investments, mastering each country's currency symbols is crucial. Compared to the lengthy "40 US dollar," writing "$40" is more concise and efficient, helping traders quickly identify the currency type and track price fluctuations. When you see EUR/USD or EUR/JPY on your trading terminal, a quick glance at the euro symbol (€) immediately reveals the nature of the currency pair involved.
Quick Reference Table for Major Trading Currencies and Symbols
Based on regional divisions, here are the common trading currencies with their symbols and codes:
| Region | Country | Currency | Code | Symbol |
|---------|---------|---------|--------|---------|
| Americas

What the Market is Saying
Government officials often harbor deep concerns about a stable monetary system. This is no coincidence—the gold standard inherently limits the government's fiscal freedom. When currency must be pegged to gold, central banks cannot freely expand the money supply, and governments cannot unlimitedly overdraft. For this reason, from the 1930s to the 1970s, successive U.S. governments gradually dismantled the gold standard system.
But today, the performance of international markets shows a completely opposite signal.
Four Signs Indicating the Gold Standard is Making a Comeback
Central Bank Gold Purchase Wave
The most obvious signal comes from central bank actions. In 2023, global central banks' net gold purchases reached 1,037 tons, marking the second consecutive year of purchases exceeding 1,000 tons. The data for 2022 is even more astonishing—central banks bought 1,136 tons of gold, the highest record since 1950.
What is driving this wave of gold buying is emerging markets

The central bank's monetary policy directly affects the foreign exchange market, with hawkish and dovish stances each having their own focus. The former emphasizes controlling inflation, while the latter prioritizes promoting economic growth. Policy changes influence money supply, which in turn drives exchange rate fluctuations. Traders need to closely monitor central bank statements to seize market opportunities.