South Africans are, by now, well familiar with the concept that when there is uncertainty in a country the local currency devalues and becomes volatile. Nowhere is this truer than in the UK as it nears the looming Brexit deadline. But, when a currency is under pressure, it presents fantastic buying opportunities to investors using foreign currency.

Fintech, market disruptors, cryptocurrency - all key words used in my industry to describe some of the ways technology has changed and moulded our industry over the last few years. Now, while I, myself am a millennial and completely value and appreciate technology and the role it has to play in all our industries, I value the worth of a person more. I prefer doing business with a human. Someone who understands my objections and goals with a particular purchase or transaction in mind.

If your business imports or exports, you inevitably have to deal with foreign currency payments. Due to currency fluctuations, this forex exposure can end up costing your business and affecting your bottom line. However, there is a solution: Currency hedging can be used to protect your business against exchange rate volatility, ensuring your cash flow is always protected.

If you have a business with overseas suppliers, work abroad or make regular international money transfers for a pension or mortgage, you’re going to need to send money overseas. Currency exchange can be confusing and there’s a lot to think about before you start transferring. To help you navigate the minefield of foreign exchange, we’ve put together some useful tips to keep in mind when making international transfers.

A business’s forex requirements can range from simple to complex, so it’s important that you hire a forex broker who can help your business maximise outcomes. To help ensure you make the right decision, look out for these four key things when choosing a forex partner for your business.

The one thing about South Africans is that we sure know how to take a punch, and boy have we had to suck up a lot of damage these past two years. The unpredictability and extreme volatility of the Rand has left local investors punch drunk and unable to figure out what their next move should be. In order to preserve or grow wealth as a South African, it’s becoming increasingly important to look abroad to ensure you aren’t held at the mercy of the Rand. But where do you start?

The Rand is in a state, and I think it will continue to devalue as long as the chaotic economic policy framework and populist rhetoric in the Republic fails to attract long-term “sticky” capital. This decline may not be immediately apparent, but in the run up to the ANC’s elective conference in December, there are many potential pitfalls for the troubled local currency.

Personally, I don't entertain cold calls. How can you tell the genuine from the fake? Especially when the fake are often good at sounding genuine. This makes it tough in an industry like foreign exchange brokerage, where most of my competitors can ring dozens of businesses they've found on Google before I've taken my first sip of drink at a networking event. Perhaps I'm old school, but I do like to know who I'm dealing with.

Stop-loss and limit orders are terrific solutions that can help you reduce your currency risk. Whether you are a private investor looking to send money offshore to take advantage of an opportunity, or a business that deals with international suppliers or clients, these orders can help protect your wealth in today’s volatile currency markets.

July 2017 is upon us and so is radical economic transformation! Months after the cynical cabinet reshuffle, with Malusi Gigaba coming in as Finance Minister, and ratings downgrades from all three ratings agencies, with S&P and Fitch rating South Africa as sub-investment grade, the Rand seems to be holding up remarkably well. So, what’s going on?