Effective FX risk management. The big corporations have long been perfecting it, and yet few smaller tech companies do any sort of FX risk management, even though they are suffering the most from it!

Why? Because tech companies have more obstacles in the way.

Fortunately for you, one of the greatest hurdles is simply knowing about the problem, and if you’ve clicked on this article, chances are you recognise FX risk as something that needs to be dealt with.

So, what can you do about it? There are some tools and techniques available to tech businesses that allow them to take control of FX risks themselves. Here are 3 practical steps worth considering to kickstart your FX strategy:

  1. Assess risk exposure 

As a small or mid-sized company decision-maker, is it worth your while to expose your firm to foreign exchange risk? That’s a fair question to ask. If you’re only making smaller payments overseas, the need for a substantial FX risk program is relatively low. Yet if the level of foreign exchange transaction activity can impact your bottom line, you should consider a strong risk and volatility FX campaign. Our volatility simulator might be able to help you answer that question - you can assess potential risk based on the business’s revenue and expenses. This article could also help. 

Or get in touch to look at our Currency at Risk (CAR) estimator with someone on the team.

  1. Set your sights

a) Low risk? Get the best rates

So you’ve decided that your currency risk exposure is low? In that case, a substantial FX program may not be necessary, but you still want to make sure you’re getting the best exchange rates possible for your business’s overseas transactions. With an abundance of options for currency conversion – banks, online platforms, brokers, fintechs – it can feel like trying to boil the ocean to choose the right one. To cut through the noise, we’ve got articles that can help you decide a whole lot faster.

b) High risk? Manage it

So you’ve decided that your currency risk exposure is significant? Well, it might be wise to employ a hedging strategy to minimise this risk sooner rather than later. Hedging can seem daunting and complicated because there is a lot of misleading information out there, but in reality, it is as complicated as you make it. To keep it simple, start by figuring out what your FX risks are, and the resources you have to dedicate to FX management. Pinpoint and prioritise risks that can be dealt with through hedging. Then you can move on to step 3.

  1. Get aggressive with hedging

You’ve understood your risks and internal resources, and want to hedge. But what hedging strategies are out there? Let’s very briefly cover the bases. 

Internal hedging is doing it in-house, using methods like risk sharing, price variation, matching, or simply sticking solely with the domestic currency. Each of these come with their own risks and challenges.

External hedging is a very popular option, seeking external help from a third party. Banks, forex brokers, and specialised tech firms are the options here. They allow you to hedge via financial instruments like forward contracts, options, and futures can be extremely effective, albeit complicated. Many treasurers look to automate these hedging strategies for the easiest management. 

There’s a lot to learn about hedging, so take your time choosing the best strategy – you should know what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Once you’ve implemented your hedging strategy, be sure to keep on top of it, stay educated, and make adjustments when necessary. 

That’s the 3 step plan, good luck!


Educational articles and learning resources like this can help clear up confusion and misconceptions about the foreign currency exchange. At Bound, we deliver tons of relevant information on all things FX, check out our blog if you want to learn more.

We also provide straightforward tools for businesses to reduce their exposure to currency risks - feel free to contact us if you think this suits your business. 

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All testimonials, reviews, opinions or case studies presented on our website may not be indicative of all customers. Results may vary and customers agree to proceed at their own risk.

Bound (Bound Rates Limited) is a limited company registered in England & Wales under number 13036275 with registered offices at 16 Great Chapel Street, London W1F 8FL

Bound Rates Limited (FRN 966723) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as an Investment Firm.​

For clients based in the European Economic Area, payment services are provided by CurrencyCloud B.V.. Registered in the Netherlands No. 72186178. Registered Office: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 296 - 298, Mindspace Nieuwezijds Office 001 Amsterdam. CurrencyCloud B.V. is authorised by the DNB under the Wet op het financieel toezicht to carry out the business of an electronic-money institution (Relation Number: R142701).

Payment services in the United States are provided by Visa Global Services Inc. (VGSI), a licensed money transmitter (NMLS ID 181032) in the states listed here. VGSI is licensed as a money transmitter by the New York Department of Financial Services. Mailing address: 900 Metro Center Blvd, Mailstop 1Z, Foster City, CA 94404. VGSI is also a registered Money Services Business (“MSB”) with FinCEN and a registered Foreign MSB with FINTRAC. For live customer support contact VGSI at (888) 733-0041.

For clients based in the United Kingdom and rest of the world, payment services (Non MIFID related products) are provided by The Currency Cloud Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 06323311. Registered Office: Stewardship Building 1st Floor, 12 Steward Street London E1 6FQ. The Currency Cloud Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 for the issuing of electronic money (FRN: 900199).

Stay up to date with insights and events

Enhance your finance skills by learning from our network of top industry experts

Currency hedging technology with unrivalled speed and flexibility

Copyright @ 2024 Bound

All testimonials, reviews, opinions or case studies presented on our website may not be indicative of all customers. Results may vary and customers agree to proceed at their own risk.

Bound (Bound Rates Limited) is a limited company registered in England & Wales under number 13036275 with registered offices at 16 Great Chapel Street, London W1F 8FL

Bound Rates Limited (FRN 966723) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as an Investment Firm.​

For clients based in the European Economic Area, payment services are provided by CurrencyCloud B.V.. Registered in the Netherlands No. 72186178. Registered Office: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 296 - 298, Mindspace Nieuwezijds Office 001 Amsterdam. CurrencyCloud B.V. is authorised by the DNB under the Wet op het financieel toezicht to carry out the business of an electronic-money institution (Relation Number: R142701).

Payment services in the United States are provided by Visa Global Services Inc. (VGSI), a licensed money transmitter (NMLS ID 181032) in the states listed here. VGSI is licensed as a money transmitter by the New York Department of Financial Services. Mailing address: 900 Metro Center Blvd, Mailstop 1Z, Foster City, CA 94404. VGSI is also a registered Money Services Business (“MSB”) with FinCEN and a registered Foreign MSB with FINTRAC. For live customer support contact VGSI at (888) 733-0041.

For clients based in the United Kingdom and rest of the world, payment services (Non MIFID related products) are provided by The Currency Cloud Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 06323311. Registered Office: Stewardship Building 1st Floor, 12 Steward Street London E1 6FQ. The Currency Cloud Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 for the issuing of electronic money (FRN: 900199).

Stay up to date with insights and events

Enhance your finance skills by learning from our network of top industry experts

Currency hedging technology with unrivalled speed and flexibility

Copyright @ 2024 Bound

All testimonials, reviews, opinions or case studies presented on our website may not be indicative of all customers. Results may vary and customers agree to proceed at their own risk.

Bound (Bound Rates Limited) is a limited company registered in England & Wales under number 13036275 with registered offices at 16 Great Chapel Street, London W1F 8FL

Bound Rates Limited (FRN 966723) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as an Investment Firm.​

For clients based in the European Economic Area, payment services are provided by CurrencyCloud B.V.. Registered in the Netherlands No. 72186178. Registered Office: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 296 - 298, Mindspace Nieuwezijds Office 001 Amsterdam. CurrencyCloud B.V. is authorised by the DNB under the Wet op het financieel toezicht to carry out the business of an electronic-money institution (Relation Number: R142701).

Payment services in the United States are provided by Visa Global Services Inc. (VGSI), a licensed money transmitter (NMLS ID 181032) in the states listed here. VGSI is licensed as a money transmitter by the New York Department of Financial Services. Mailing address: 900 Metro Center Blvd, Mailstop 1Z, Foster City, CA 94404. VGSI is also a registered Money Services Business (“MSB”) with FinCEN and a registered Foreign MSB with FINTRAC. For live customer support contact VGSI at (888) 733-0041.

For clients based in the United Kingdom and rest of the world, payment services (Non MIFID related products) are provided by The Currency Cloud Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 06323311. Registered Office: Stewardship Building 1st Floor, 12 Steward Street London E1 6FQ. The Currency Cloud Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 for the issuing of electronic money (FRN: 900199).