As we head into the final days of the year, I wanted to take a step back and look at what 2025 really was. Not just for the currency markets, but for athletes, agents, families, and anyone moving money across borders.
This was the year where currency stopped being “background noise” and started directly impacting contracts, careers, and outcomes.
Here is a look at the year that was, and what is coming next.
The Key Currency Movers of 2025
If I had to sum up the FX markets this year in one word, it would be volatility. While the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) faced its steepest annual decline in decades, other pairs told a story of extreme divergence.
The Yen’s Great Reversal (USD/JPY): 2025 marked a turning point for Japan. The Bank of Japan ended decades of ultra-loose policy, lifting rates to 0.75%, the highest level since the mid-1990s. USD/JPY, which started the year north of 157, experienced violent swings as carry trades were unwound.
While volatility remained high, the Yen closed the year with a far stronger structural floor than it began with.The Euro’s Resilience (EUR/USD): Early-year calls for parity proved wide of the mark. The Euro rallied nearly 14% against the dollar, climbing from 1.035 in January to hover around 1.18 by year-end.
A firmer ECB stance and narrowing rate differentials fundamentally changed purchasing power for European earners abroad.Sterling’s Tug-of-War (GBP/USD): The Pound had a quietly impressive year, gaining close to 8% and trading above 1.35. Even as the Bank of England began easing, relative economic resilience kept Sterling outperforming many of its G10 peers.
AUD/USD : For importers and Sports Tour businesses, the Aussie Dollar was a wild ride. Starting the year at 0.6180, it dipped to a low of 0.5920 before staging a massive recovery to 0.6710. That 13% swing from low to high fundamentally changed the cost of international bookings and equipment overnight.
Relying on "spot" rates in this environment wasn't just a risk; it was a hit to the bottom line.GBP/AED (The Dubai Property Factor): For property buyers in the UAE, 2025 was a year of high stakes. The pair opened at 4.60 and reached a high of 5.06—the highest since 2022. With swings between 6–13%, the impact on staged payments, deposits, and final settlements for apartments worth millions of AED was massive.
On a 5 million AED property, a 10% swing is the difference of £100,000+ in your final cost.
The $350,000+ Strategy
One of the most important metrics of 2025 was the tangible value we delivered to our community. By implementing forward contract strategies, we helped our clients earn more than $350,000 USD in additional value compared to standard bank rates.
One specific case study saw an athlete protect over $100,000 simply by using the right strategy at the right time.
No leverage.
No speculation.
No guessing.
Just a forward contract, set with intent.
Beyond the numbers, we solved real-world logistical nightmares. This year, we successfully assisted players in getting paid in certain countries where they could not access traditional banking, ensuring their hard-earned money reached them safely despite local banking hurdles.
SportsFX Milestones: Scaling Globally
2025 was a big year behind the scenes as we matured from a boutique service into a global infrastructure.
SportsFX International: We officially became SportsFX International, registered in Dubai. This move provides the perfect base to scale our operations across the Middle East, a region becoming increasingly central to the global sports economy.
SportsFX x FIFPRO: Becoming an official currency partner and contributing educational content to protect over 6000 players at scale.
Client Growth: Our client numbers grew by word of mouth and referrals twice as much as in 2024.
Booked Volume & Activity: Our booked volume increased by 10%, while trade numbers surged by 30%, reflecting a significant amount of repeat business from clients who now treat currency management as a standard professional habit.
Coming Soon: The SportsFX Currency Report 2025
I am putting the final touches on our flagship SportsFX Currency Report 2025.
This report goes beyond charts and headlines. It breaks down what these moves actually meant on the ground—from how USD/JPY volatility reshaped earnings for foreign players in the J-League, to how the EUR/USD rally changed the real value of contracts for European footballers in the MLS.
The report will be released to my subscribers first in early 2026.
The Growth of The Currency Advantage
When I started The Currency Advantage, the goal was simple: explain complex moves in a way that actually helps people make better decisions. In 2025, that message clearly landed.
Subscriber numbers grew by 82.8% throughout the year.
Open rates hit 62%, which is up 9% for the year—well above industry averages.
The feedback shifted from “interesting” to “this saved me money.”
A Personal Note
On a personal level, 2025 was also a year of intentional change.
We made the decision to move our family to Thailand and establish the business structure in Dubai. This was not for lifestyle; it was for focus, efficiency, and long-term scale.
That same thinking applies to currency. You do not wait for the perfect moment. You build the right structure so the outcome is protected regardless of market noise.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Next year, the focus is clear:
More education around protecting contracts.
Deeper partnerships with agents and associations.
Fewer reactive transfers. More strategic planning.
Bigger deals, handled properly.
If 2025 taught us anything, it is this: You cannot control the markets, but you can control your exposure.
Thank you for reading, supporting, and being part of The Currency Advantage this year. Enjoy the break, reset properly, and we go again in 2026.
Chris
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