Trading GBP/CHF
The GBPCHF is a popular forex pair among UK investors. The Swiss Franc is a major currency and legal tender in Switzerland and Lichtenstein. Globally, it is the fifth most traded currency, following the US Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen and British Pound Sterling. Having an understanding of what influences the exchange rate of the Swiss Franc is essential to be able to invest in the GBPCHF. See our guide to using technical analysis on live price charts and reading today’s FX news on the currency pair.
GBPCHF Trading Brokers
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Pepperstone provides forex spreads on the EUR/USD averaging just 0.12 pips with their Razor account. This is highly competitive. Their extensive portfolio includes over 100 currency pairs, which exceeds what most rivals offer. Furthermore, Pepperstone stands out by offering three unique currency indices: USDX, EURX, and JPYX, which are rare on other platforms. They have been recognised with our 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.4 0.1 0.4 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 100+ Yes MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower -
XTB offers access to over 70 currency pairs, with competitive spreads averaging about 1 pip for major pairs. Its xStation platform is user-friendly, providing traders with top-tier charting tools, over 30 indicators, and diverse order types to support different strategies and risk management needs.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 1.4 1.0 1.4 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 70+ Yes xStation -
FXCC champions its competitive forex trading environment. ECN spreads can drop to an impressive 0.0 pips during busy trading periods. Offering more variety than many competitors, it supports over 70 currency pairs. Furthermore, traders benefit from MT4, renowned for its exceptional charting capabilities, specifically designed for forex trading.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 1.0 0.2 0.5 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 70+ No MT4, MT5 -
Vantage provides over 55 currency pairs, exceeding the industry norm, giving traders ample opportunities. With a robust liquidity pool, forex spreads start at 0.0 pips on the ECN account, often beating other options. Additionally, there are no commissions, deposit fees, or hidden charges.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.5 0.0 0.5 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 55+ Yes ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade -
IC Markets remains dedicated to offering tight 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs like EUR/USD, ensuring outstanding execution with an average speed of 35 milliseconds. Ideal for traders seeking high performance, those dealing in large volumes can also enjoy rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.23 0.02 0.27 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 75 No MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower -
FxPro provides over 70 currency pairs, though minors are excluded, and is renowned for its rapid execution and tight spreads, averaging 0.45 pips on EUR/USD. Traders can design, evaluate, and implement short-term strategies using the top-tier MT4 platform with expert advisors for algorithmic trading.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.6 0.45 0.73 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 70+ Yes FxPro Edge, MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower -
IG provides an extensive selection of over 80 currency pairs through its own web platform, mobile app, or MetaTrader 4. For advanced charting and forex analysis, the ProRealTime software is available. Testing shows forex spreads are competitive, beginning at 0.1 pips on major pairs such as EUR/USD.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.9 0.8 0.9 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 80+ Yes Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime
Safety Comparison
Compare how safe the Trading GBP/CHF are and what features they offer to protect traders.
Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
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Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
FXCC | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
IC Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
FXPro | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
IG Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the Trading GBP/CHF support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).
Broker | GBP Account | Debit Card | Credit Card | Neteller | Skrill | Apple Pay |
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Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
FXCC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
IC Markets | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
FXPro | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
IG Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the Trading GBP/CHF at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
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Pepperstone | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
XTB | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
FXCC | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
Vantage FX | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
IC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
FXPro | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
IG Index | iOS & Android | ✔ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the Trading GBP/CHF good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?
Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Support Rating | Education Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pepperstone | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
XTB | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
FXCC | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
Vantage FX | ✔ | $50 | 0.01 Lots | ||
IC Markets | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots | ||
FXPro | ✔ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ||
IG Index | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the Trading GBP/CHF offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?
Broker | Automated Trading | Pro Account | Leverage | VPS | AI | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
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Pepperstone | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
XTB | Open API | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
FXCC | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
Vantage FX | Myfxbook AutoTrade, Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
IC Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade | ✘ | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
FXPro | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
IG Index | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Trading GBP/CHF.
Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
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Pepperstone | |||||||||
XTB | |||||||||
FXCC | |||||||||
Vantage FX | |||||||||
IC Markets | |||||||||
FXPro | |||||||||
IG Index |
Our Take On Pepperstone
"Pepperstone is a premier trading platform, providing tight spreads, swift execution, and sophisticated charting tools for seasoned traders. Beginners benefit from no minimum deposit, comprehensive learning materials, and outstanding 24/7 support."
Pros
- In recent years, Pepperstone has significantly enhanced the deposit and withdrawal process. By 2025, clients can use Apple Pay and Google Pay, while 2024 saw the introduction of PIX and SPEI for customers in Brazil and Mexico.
- Pepperstone presents itself as an economical choice for traders, offering spreads as low as 0.0 in its Razor account. The Active Trader programme provides rebates up to 30% on indices and commodities, plus $3 per lot on forex.
- Pepperstone offers rapid execution speeds of approximately 30ms, enabling swift order processing and execution, making it ideal for traders.
Cons
- Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.
- Pepperstone doesn't offer cTrader Copy, a favoured feature for copying trades found in the cTrader platform, which is available on other platforms such as IC Markets. However, Pepperstone has launched its own user-friendly copy trading app.
- Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
Our Take On XTB
"XTB emerges as an ideal option for novice traders, offering the impressive xStation platform, zero commission pricing, no required minimum deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are conveniently integrated into the platform."
Pros
- The xStation platform stands out with its user-friendly design and intuitive tools, such as adaptable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and a trader calculator. These features streamline the learning process for new traders.
- Setting up an XTB account is straightforward and fully online, requiring only a few minutes. This simplicity eases new traders into the world of trading.
- XTB has raised its interest rate on uninvested funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs for UK clients, offering access to 3,000 stocks and 700 ETFs for diverse investment opportunities.
Cons
- XTB has stopped supporting MT4, restricting traders to its own platform, xStation. This decision may discourage experienced traders accustomed to using the MetaTrader suite.
- The research tools at XTB are commendable but have the potential to excel further. Enhancing them with access to top-tier third-party services like Autochartist, Trading Central, and TipRanks would significantly elevate their offering.
- Trading fees are competitive, with average EUR/USD spreads of about 1 pip. However, they are not as low as the most affordable brokers, such as IC Markets. Additionally, an inactivity fee applies after a year.
Our Take On FXCC
"FXCC remains a top choice for forex traders, offering over 70 currency pairs, very tight spreads from 0.0 pips in tests, and high leverage up to 1:500 with the ECN XL account."
Pros
- FXCC has introduced MT5, which in our evaluations, mirrored the trading conditions of MT4 by offering swift execution, improved charting, and market depth tools.
- There are no deposit fees other than standard cryptocurrency mining charges, which benefits active traders.
- FXCC offers competitive and transparent ECN spreads starting from 0.0 pips, with no commissions. This makes it one of the most cost-effective forex brokers available.
Cons
- Unaware traders might face steep withdrawal fees, such as a notable $45 for bank transfers.
- The variety of currency pairs surpasses most options, but the choice of other assets is limited. Notably, stocks are absent.
- While the MetaTrader suite excels in technical analysis, its outdated design detracts from the overall trading experience, particularly when contrasted with contemporary platforms such as TradingView.
Our Take On Vantage FX
"Vantage is an ideal choice for CFD traders looking for a well-regulated broker with access to the dependable MetaTrader platforms. With a swift sign-up process and a minimum deposit of $50, starting trading is simple and fast."
Pros
- ECN accounts offer competitive terms, featuring spreads starting at 0.0 pips and a commission of $1.50 per trade side.
- Opening a live account is both straightforward and swift, requiring under 5 minutes to complete.
- Vantage upholds a high trust score through its solid reputation, backed by premier regulation from the FCA and ASIC.
Cons
- To access optimal trading conditions, a substantial deposit of $10,000 is required. This includes a commission of $1.50 per transaction per side.
- Based on tests, average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower compared to other options.
- It's unfortunate that some clients must register with the offshore firm, which provides reduced regulatory safeguards.
Our Take On IC Markets
"IC Markets provides excellent pricing, swift execution, and easy deposits. With cutting-edge charting tools like TradingView and the Raw Trader Plus account, it continues to be a preferred option for intermediate and advanced traders."
Pros
- IC Markets provides some of the industry's narrowest spreads, offering 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs. This makes it an extremely cost-effective choice for traders.
- Access over 2,250 CFDs across diverse markets like forex, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This variety enables traders to employ diversified strategies.
- In 2025, IC Markets earned DayTrading.com's accolade for 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' due to its top-tier MetaTrader integration. This achievement highlights the broker's continuous refinement over the years to enhance the platform experience.
Cons
- Although there are four top-tier third-party platforms available, the absence of in-house software or a trading app tailored for novice traders is notable.
- Certain withdrawal methods incur fees, including a $20 charge for wire transfers. These costs can reduce profits, particularly with frequent withdrawals.
- IC Markets provides metals and cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, though the selection is narrower compared to brokers such as eToro. This limits opportunities for traders focused on these asset classes.
Our Take On FXPro
"FxPro is an excellent choice for traders, offering swift execution speeds under 12ms, reduced fees since 2022, and outstanding charting platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro Edge."
Pros
- FxPro's Wallet is a notable feature enabling traders to securely manage their funds. It ensures additional protection and ease by separating unused funds from active trading accounts.
- FxPro uses a 'No Dealing Desk' (NDD) model for swift and transparent order execution, usually within 12 milliseconds, making it well-suited for short-term trading strategies.
- FxPro provides four dependable charting platforms, including the user-friendly FxPro Edge. It features more than 50 indicators, 7 types of charts, and 15 different timeframes.
Cons
- FxPro offers customer support five days a week around the clock, accessible via various platforms, and the service quality is reliable based on tests. However, the absence of weekend support can be a drawback for traders requiring help beyond standard market times.
- There are no passive investment options such as copy trading or interest on cash. While traders might not find these essential, competitors like eToro, which accommodate both active and passive investors, offer more extensive services.
- FxPro, with its $10M funded demo account and expanding Knowledge Hub, mainly caters to experienced traders. Beginners might find its account and fee structure challenging to understand.
Our Take On IG Index
"IG offers a complete package with an intuitive online platform, top-tier beginner education, advanced charting tools through its TradingView integration, real-time data, and swift execution for seasoned traders."
Pros
- The IG app provides an excellent mobile trading experience with an intuitive design, earning it the Runner Up position in our 'Best Trading App' award.
- IG stands out with its extensive range of instruments, offering stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it has recently introduced US-listed futures and options, along with an AI Index. These options enhance opportunities for diversification in trading.
- The web-based platform supports traders at every level, offering advanced charting tools and real-time market data vital for trading. Additionally, IG now includes TradingView integration.
Cons
- Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
- IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.
- Beginners may find IG's fees complicated, as they vary depending on the trades or services. This could cause confusion and unexpected costs.
GBPCHF Explained
The Swiss Franc (CHF) to the Great British Pound (GBP) exchange rate varies throughout the trading day. When the Swiss economy is strong the Franc typically rises against the pound. When weakened, the Franc will fall vs Sterling. The exchange rate also fluctuates with major political events such as Brexit. In fact, the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the economic environment means the outlook of the GBPCHF pair is difficult to forecast in 2025.
GBPCHF Influences
Economic Events
Major economic events such as the European debt crisis, along with its ability to appreciate in times of turmoil, has led to the CHF being seen as a safe haven currency. Switzerland’s resilient economy has been known to withstand crises that have troubled other financial markets. In 2008, whilst the world was in the throngs of a global recession, many looked to Swiss banks to keep their capital safe. The influx in demand led to a significant increase in the value of the Franc.
Another factor is Switzerland’s political independence and low national debt. When compared to the European national debt crisis, the quoted price of the Franc was boosted further. How independent the UK becomes as it leaves the European Union and balances debt from COVID-19 will have a substantial impact on the value of the GBPCHF.
Inports & Exports
Exports form the backbone of the Swiss and UK economy and impact the value of the GBPCHF. Key Swiss exports include pharmaceuticals, watches and instruments while key UK exports include cars and turbo-jets. When the Swiss Franc remains low its exports are competitive. However, when it rises, its exports become more expensive which in turn reduces demand. A low Franc versus the Pound is important for Switzerland’s economic growth and prosperity.
A high GBPCHF exchange rate can cause issues for its neighbours too. Since 2008, the Swiss Franc has doubled in value. This has had seismic implications for many Polish homeowners, whose mortgages were, until recently, held in Swiss Francs. The increase in the value of the Swiss Franc saw their debts soar. Again, this impacted Swiss Franc conversions into Pounds.
Policy
The strength of a currency is largely dependent on the rulings of key policymakers such as national banks, which influence monetary policy. In the case of CHF, this is the Swiss National Bank (SNB). In the UK, actions by the Bank of England (BoE), such as quantitive easing, impact the value of the GBPCHF.
At times the SNB has intervened to weaken the Franc. In 2011, the SNB reduced interest rates. It lowered the value of CHF relative to the Euro by removing the peg of 1.20 Francs per Euro. The move saw a devaluation of CHF by 8%. To achieve this, the SNB bought large sums of foreign money, in doing so it increased its foreign currency reserves to an all-time high.
In 2015, the SNB lifted the cap. As a result, the Swiss Franc’s value rose by 30 percent vs the Euro and 25 percent against the US Dollar. However, at around the same time, the SNB also adopted a policy of negative interest rates. Interest rates were pushed to -0.75%. The negative rates were designed to deter investors from stashing their capital in Swiss bank accounts as they had done in 2008. Low demand keeps the valuation of the Franc low, and most importantly, the price of exports low.
Interest Rates
Switzerland’s overnight interest rate is the lowest in the world and notably lower than the UK’s. This makes it an attractive proposition for forex trading. In a strong global environment, the Franc is often the go-to choice for many traders, used as the short leg when buying currency with high-interest rates. It is a strategy known as carry trading. The borrowing sees a reduction in demand for the CHF because it is effectively being sold, which in turn decreases its value.
The reverse is also true. When the global market is weakened, you often see increased buying activity of GBPCHF because traders are looking to unwind their carry trades. An example of which was seen in 2008, at the peak of the financial crisis.
Other factors impacting the price of the GBPCHF include:
- Economic growth
- Political instability
- Interest rates and inflation rates
- European market turmoil
- Market sentiment
It is worth staying abreast of global news to retain a market edge when investing in the GBPCHF. Today, there is a multitude of resources available to traders including forums, currency converters, inflation calculators, price graphs and more.
History Of The Swiss Franc
The Swiss Franc was formally recognised as Switzerland’s national currency in 1850. It was then decided that only the federal government would be allowed to issue Swiss Francs, including banknotes (bills) and coins. Fast forward to 1865, when Switzerland joined the Latin Monetary Union. The union was established between Switzerland, France, Belgium and Italy and at the time the values of all four currencies were pegged to the value of silver. When Switzerland joined it debased the silver coins from 90% to 83.5% silver, except for the 5 Francs coin, which retained its 90% purity.
The Bretton Woods rate of exchange scheme included the Swiss Franc and the system remained in place until the early 1970s. Following revaluation, up until May 2000, the price of the Swiss Franc was unpegged and backed by the value of the gold coin. Even today, the Swiss Franc is strongly linked to the gold standard. This because a high proportion of Swiss money is backed by gold reserves. A crash in the price of gold would have big repercussions for the value of the GBPCHF.
Final Word On Trading GBPCHF
2020 saw the Swiss Franc jump from strength to strength, outperforming the Pound, Dollar and Yen. Looking ahead, Brexit and global financial uncertainty will have an impact on the price of the GBPCHF. Given CHF’s close ties to the Euro, savvy traders will keep an eye on the stability of Europe. Traders should also be wary of interventions from the UK’s BoE and Switzerland’s SNB.
Find out more about forex trading.
FAQ
What Is The Swiss Franc Currency Code/Symbol?
The IOF issued currency code, or abbreviation, is CHF. The pronunciation of ‘Swiss Franc’ follows how it is written. The GBPCHF is traded in significant volumes and its volatility offers UK investors an opportunity to generate profits.
How Does The Swiss Franc Compare Vs The Great British Pound?
The current GBPCHF exchange rate can be viewed on live price charts. The rate will change depending on a number of factors so traders should ensure they are always referencing the latest data and keep an eye on market news for price predictions.
Where Can I Find Information On The GBPCHF Exchange Rate History?
Information on exchange rates is readily available on most online trading platforms. Graphs and charts are a great way to view the data. Having an understanding of the GBPCHF’s historical movements will help traders forecast future behaviour.
In Which Countries Are The CHF And GBP Used?
The Swiss Franc is used in Switzerland and Lichtenstein as well as the Italian enclave, Campione d’Italia. The Great British Pound is the established currency of the United Kingdom. The GBPCHF currency pair is available for online investing to traders in the UK and beyond.
What Are The Best Brokers For Trading The GBPCHF?
Many leading UK forex brokers offer investing on the GBPCHF pair. The best broker will depend on individual needs, from minimum deposits to assets such as ETFs, along with access to historical exchange rates and today’s Franc to Pound conversions. IG is one popular broker offering plenty of instrument options and live charts for forex trading.