FX market makers and broker/dealers play important roles in facilitating foreign exchange (FX) trading, but they have distinct functions and responsibilities. Here’s a breakdown of their differences and how they relate:

Function:

• Market Makers:
  • Create a two-sided market: They actively quote both buy and sell prices for specific currency pairs, providing immediate liquidity for traders.
  • Earn profits: They profit from the bid-ask spread, the difference between their buy and sell quotes.
  • Limited trading: They may also trade for their own account to manage risk and ensure market liquidity, but are subject to regulations limiting their trading volume compared to other participants.
• Broker/Dealers:
  • Connect buyers and sellers: They act as intermediaries, matching buy and sell orders from clients without creating their own market.
  • Earn commissions or spreads: They charge commissions on trades (a fixed fee) or profit from the spread they offer clients, depending on the type of broker.
  • No market making: They generally do not quote their own prices or hold large positions in currencies.

Relationship:

• Complementary roles: Both market makers and broker/dealers are essential for a functioning FX market. Market makers provide liquidity, while broker/dealers connect traders with the market.
• Client overlap: Retail traders often access the FX market through broker/dealers, who may leverage market makers for liquidity behind the scenes.
• Regulation: Both are subject to regulations aimed at ensuring fair and transparent markets, preventing manipulation, and protecting investor interests.

Key differences:

Additional notes:

• Some large financial institutions may act as both market makers and broker/dealers in different capacities.
• The specific regulations and requirements for each role can vary depending on the jurisdiction.
• Choosing between a market maker and a broker/dealer depends on individual needs and preferences, such as trading frequency, desired price transparency, and cost considerations.