Currency trading is an ancient practice, and has been possible and even necessary since there have been different countries using different exchange mediums, and since there have been people traveling between those countries. Historically, the merchant class has been most interested in the fluctuations in value between national currencies for commercial reasons – to protect against exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, and even as a form of speculation. More recently, currency trading has been limited to the select few who can afford to invest six figures or more to initiate a trade. However, thanks mostly to the internet, modern technology has opened up the foreign exchange market to participation by people of average and even modest means. It is no longer necessary to invest tens of thousands of dollars up front to open a trading account, nor to profit from forex trading. The introduction of easy leverage to the market allows modern-day speculators to control thousands and thousands of dollars for a forex trade, for only a comparatively small charge on their credit card. The burgeoning forex trading market, mixed with an almost universal desire by the general populace to be able to make money from home, has created a very real opportunity for affiliates to profit from the industry by setting up forex related portals. Some of the more traditional forex brokers require introducers to complete a long and tedious 'introducing broker application form' along with the contract. The brokers that are on the cutting edge of the technology have a more refined understanding of internet marketing and are now bypassing that process completely and allowing affiliates to get paid to drive traffic with only a basic affiliate application form being required. to become a promotor of the brand. As a general rule, an introducing broker application is only appropriate for professionals in the financial industry – especially traders that want to corral their clients' accounts in one single brokerage house. Online forex affiliate program applications, on the other hand, are much simpler and cater to ordinary affiliates. Who can be an affiliate? Anyone who has a website or some way to drive traceable, and preferably targeted traffic back to the forex broker. Here is how affiliates earn commissions by promoting the forex industry: Almost all internet affiliate programs pay commissions based on a set percentage of the amount of the sale, or as a fixed price per lead. Forex affiliate programs are similar in that the affiliate will earn either a percentage of the spread (which is the broker's commission for executing a trade) ranging from ten percent up to thirty percent (this is known as a revenue-share program). Some forex brokers offer affiliates a set amount per sign up (this is known as cost per acquisition -- abbreviated to CPA). The going CPA rate at the time this article is being written is approximately $200 to the affiliate per active forex trader. Some of the more creative forex affiliate programs even offer a mix of CPA and revenue-share (which is known as a hybrid affiliate deal). Before signing up with a forex affiliate program, it is wise for the hopeful affiliate to do his or her research about the broker that he or she plans to promote and send prospective traders to. The affiliate should confirm that the broker has appropriate licenses to function as a forex broker in its country of operation. Some countries (namely Switzerland) require forex brokers to have a full banking license. Jurisdictional particularities should be researched and understood so as to reduce the probability that referred customers will lose their money to fraudulent operators or regulatory intervention. The affiliate might also wish to find out whom are the liquidity providers for the broker as this will give some indication of the broker's solidity as well as their ability to execute transactions efficiently. The more reputable companies there are that back the broker, the more likely that referred traders will become satisfied customers, which leads to greater client retention and thus increased profitability. Lastly the affiliate needs to understand what a forex trader is looking for in a forex portal. Trading is all about one thing, and that is making money. Forex traders will gravitate towards anything that can give them an edge in the market, the most likely prospects being data (such as historic exchange rates, comparisons, and analysis) and trading systems (tips and strategies). The most successful forex affiliates will find new and exciting ways to get traders the information that they want, and will be very well rewarded financially for doing so. Visit my page http://www.forex-rates.biz/forex-affiliate-programs.htm to learn more about forex affiliate marketing.