In a final effort to gain independence from the dollar, Europe created the European Monetary System in July of 1978. Like the previous agreements, it failed in 1993, but what followed was an evolution from a combination of the EMS and the Bretton Woods Accord.
Today, the major currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, Euro, British pound, Swiss franc and the Japanese yen, move independently from other currencies. The currencies are traded by anyone who wishes, including an influx of speculation by banks, hedge funds, brokerage houses and individuals. Only on occasion do some of the central banks intervene to move or attempt to move currencies to their desired levels. The underlying factor that drives today's forex markets, however, is supply and demand. The free-floating system is ideal for today's forex markets. The supply and demand of currencies are driven by three factors, including interest rates and interest rate differentials, commodities and global trade. The forex market is the prime market of the world by all which all others can be considered derivatives (like futures and options).
