Trading Off the Beaten Path: Octa Broker’s Guide to Lesser-Known Currency Pairs

If you’re only trading EURUSD or USDJPY, you’re not alone, to put it mildly. You’re merely doing what most retail traders do. These are the most liquid currency pairs in the world, with tight spreads and round-the-clock coverage. But they’re also crowded, noisy, and often overanalysed.

Less popular pairs, such as GBPJPY or AUDCAD, tend to move differently. There’s less consensus, fewer headlines, and more variation in behaviour. And while that can mean higher volatility and execution risk, it also opens the door to cleaner technical setups, stronger directional trends, and the kind of trades that haven’t already been front-run by the market.

Exploring these ‘secondary’ pairs isn’t about chasing obscure charts—it’s about understanding where opportunity lies when you step outside the spotlight. Octa broker shares the top four non-obvious currency pairs worth your attention.

Why Are Some Pairs Less Popular?

There are structural reasons why many traders avoid exotic or minor currency pairs.

• Lower liquidity: Thin order books can lead to larger price moves and unexpected behaviour, especially during off-hours.
• Wider spreads: With fewer counterparties in the market, the cost to enter and exit positions can be significantly higher.
• Slippage: During periods of rapid price movement or low depth, orders can be filled at worse-than-expected levels.

That said, these risks are not inherently disqualifying. For traders with experience and a good handle on execution timing, lower-liquidity pairs often provide the space for independent price discovery—unclouded by consensus. These pairs can become ‘hidden gems’, especially when volatility elsewhere subsides.

High-volatility Pairs

1. GBPJPY

Nicknamed ‘The Beast’, GBPJPY is known for sharp intraday swings. It combines the volatility of the British pound, which is often driven by domestic data surprises and political risk, with the yen, a traditional safe-haven currency influenced by global risk sentiment. The result is a pair that moves quickly but also respects technical structure.

• Volatility: The 200-day ATR currently averages around 1.974, one of the highest among non-exotic pairs.
• Why it matters: Divergent policies between the Bank of England, which remains sensitive to wage inflation and growth, and the Bank of Japan, which has only recently begun tightening after years of negative rates, make this an ideal pair for macro-driven directional plays.
• Trading tip: It works well for momentum strategies, but risk management is crucial since false breakouts are common during low-volume sessions.

2. AUDCAD

At first glance, the AUDCAD pair might seem quiet since both currencies here are commodity currencies of relatively stable economies. But that similarity hides deeper divergences in what drives them. Australia’s economy is tied heavily to metals and Asia-facing exports; Canada’s is more aligned with oil and the U.S. economy. When those themes diverge, this pair can stage an impressive performance.

• Volatility: The 200-day ATR rarely drops below 0.00600—not explosive, but enough to allow swing positioning.
• Macro view: Divergences in iron ore vs. oil prices or risk sentiment shifts between the Asia–Pacific and North America can fuel strong multi-day moves.
• Trading tip: This pair often trends cleanly but can stall during commodity consolidation, making it perfect for swing trading with clearly defined stops.

Low-Volatility Pairs

3. USDCHF

A classic risk-off instrument, USDCHF pairs the world’s primary reserve currency with one of the most tightly managed and conservative currencies globally—the Swiss franc. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has a long history of intervening in currency markets, which adds a layer of unpredictability. But in general, this pair trades with calm and stability.

• Volatility: The 200-day ATR for the pair rarely rises above 0.00800, placing it among the calmest currency pairs.
• Why it matters: USDCHF is sensitive to U.S. data but also acts as a proxy for European sentiment, particularly when investors rotate into or out of euro-area risk.
• Trading tip: Excellent for traders focused on mean reversion or range-bound strategies since moves are often muted but precise.

4. EURGBP

While often overshadowed by EURUSD or GBPUSD, EURGBP holds its own as a pair driven more by fundamentals than sentiment. Both the UK and the Eurozone are highly integrated, so major shifts tend to be measured. However, monetary policy divergence can create attractive trading windows.

• Volatility: The 200-day ATR currency averages around 0.00972.
• Macro view: Brexit-era volatility has cooled, but differences in ECB and BoE guidance, especially around wage inflation and services data, still move this pair.
• Trading tip: Technical traders love EUR/GBP for its clean respect of trendlines and fib levels. Breakouts are rare, but when they occur, they tend to follow through.

Conclusion

In a mature and efficient CFD market, edges are increasingly hard to come by. That’s why more traders are looking beyond the majors—not for novelty, but for breathing room. Unpopular pairs like GBPJPY or AUDCAD won’t hand out profits for free. But they do offer something the majors often lack: relative independence from crowded positioning and more honest responses to fundamental catalysts. At the same time, slower-moving pairs like EURGBP or USDCHF provide clarity and structure when the rest of the market turns chaotic.

These pairs aren’t for everyone—but they are worth investigating. Sometimes, the smartest move is to look where no one else does.

Compliance reminder: trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Emotional trading can increase this risk. Always trade within your means and understand the risks involved.

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Since its foundation, Octa has won more than 100 awards, including the ‘Most Reliable Broker Global 2024’ award from Global Forex Awards and the ‘Best Mobile Trading Platform 2024’ award from Global Brand Magazine.