Trade GBP/CHF, the pound against a safe haven
GBP/CHF prices how many Swiss francs one British pound buys. It sets a lively, data-sensitive currency against one of the world's classic safe havens, so it reacts both to UK news and to swings in global risk sentiment.
- 24/5 trading
- Buy or sell
- Regulated by FSC Mauritius
GBP/CHF
Spreads from, pips · Premium
1.0
About GBP/CHF
British pound vs Swiss franc
When investors are confident, the pound's higher interest rates tend to support GBP/CHF. When markets turn nervous, money often flows into the franc and the pair can drop quickly, which is why it tends to move more than EUR/CHF.
Both currencies are European and both central banks are in the same time zone, so the pair is most active during the London session, when UK data and any Swiss National Bank announcements are released.
- MT5 symbol
- GBPCHF
- Known as
- Pound–franc cross
- Pip size
- 0.0001
- Trading hours
- 24/5
- Central banks
- Bank of England and Swiss National Bank
- Pip value (1 lot)
- CHF 10 per standard lot (about $12.50 at USD/CHF 0.8000)
- Character
- Active, with a safe-haven side
What moves it
4 forces that drive GBP/CHF
BoE vs SNB
The UK usually has higher rates than Switzerland; changes in that gap move the pair.
Safe-haven flows
Geopolitical or market stress tends to lift the franc and push GBP/CHF lower.
UK data
Inflation, wages and GDP data move the pound side.
SNB action
The SNB has a history of intervening in currency markets to limit franc strength.
When to trade
Best hours and key releases for GBP/CHF
Most active: The London session, roughly 07:00–16:00 GMT (11:00–20:00 UAE time), when both European markets are open.
| Session | GMT | UAE time |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 21:00–06:00 | 01:00–10:00 |
| Tokyo | 00:00–09:00 | 04:00–13:00 |
| LondonActive | 07:00–16:00 | 11:00–20:00 |
| New York | 12:00–21:00 | 16:00–01:00 |
Releases that move GBP/CHF
- BoE rate decisionEight times a year.
- SNB monetary policy assessmentFour times a year.
- UK CPI and labour marketMonthly.
- Swiss CPIMonthly.
- UK GDPMonthly estimate.
Spreads can widen and prices can gap around these releases. Check an economic calendar for exact dates and times.
Pricing
GBP/CHF spreads by account
Choose the account that fits your trading. The live GBP/CHF spread is always shown in MT5 before you place an order.
Classic
Spread-only, no commission
Spreads from
1.6 pips
- Commission
- None
- Min. deposit
- $100
Premium
Lower spreads, no commission
Spreads from
1.0 pips
- Commission
- None
- Min. deposit
- $3,000
VIP
Raw spreads plus commission
Spreads from
0.0 pips
- Commission
- $6 per 1.00 lot round turn, proportional to lot size
- Min. deposit
- $25,000
* Indicative typical spreads, may vary; last updated 28 September 2026. Spreads are variable and may widen during news releases and low-liquidity sessions. Commissions may apply depending on account type.
Leverage magnifies both gains and losses. Maximum leverage depends on the instrument, account type and your jurisdiction.
Get started
How to trade GBP/CHF on MT5
- 1
Open an account
Register online, verify your identity and choose Classic, Premium or VIP. - 2
Fund your account
Deposit with one of the available methods in the client portal. - 3
Find GBPCHF in MT5
Log in to MetaTrader 5, open Market Watch and add GBPCHF to see the live price and spread. - 4
Plan and place the trade
Set your position size and stop-loss, then choose Buy if you expect the pair to rise or Sell if you expect it to fall.
Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Forex prices, including GBP/CHF, can move quickly against you, especially around news releases.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the spread on GBP/CHF at IST Markets?
Spreads on IST Markets accounts start from 1.6 pips on Classic, 1.0 pips on Premium and 0.0 pips plus commission on VIP. The spread on GBP/CHF is variable and depends on market conditions; the live spread is always shown in MT5 before you trade. Cross pairs usually have wider spreads than the majors.
What is the pip value of GBP/CHF?
One pip on GBP/CHF is a price move of 0.0001. On one standard lot it is worth CHF 10 per standard lot (about $12.50 at USD/CHF 0.8000); a mini lot (0.10) is worth a tenth of that and a micro lot (0.01) a hundredth. Use the free pip calculator to work it out for your trade size.
What is the best time to trade GBP/CHF?
The pair trades 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday. It is usually most active during The London session, roughly 07:00–16:00 GMT (11:00–20:00 UAE time), when both European markets are open. Liquidity tends to be thinnest around the daily rollover and late on Fridays, when spreads can widen.
Why does GBP/CHF fall when markets are nervous?
The Swiss franc is a traditional safe haven, while the pound is more sensitive to growth and risk appetite. In periods of stress investors tend to buy francs, which pushes the pair lower.
Is GBP/CHF more volatile than EUR/CHF?
Usually yes. The euro and franc economies are tightly linked, so EUR/CHF tends to move in narrow ranges, while the pound brings more UK-specific news and wider daily ranges.
Ready to trade GBP/CHF on MT5?
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