Question 1

How do exchange rates work?

Accepted Answer

An exchange rate is the price of one currency expressed in another - for example, how many Japanese yen one US dollar buys. Rates move constantly as banks and traders buy and sell currencies on the global market, driven by interest rates, inflation, and demand. WaveRate shows the live reference (mid-market) rate so you always see where a currency stands right now.

Question 2

What is the mid-market exchange rate?

Accepted Answer

The mid-market rate is the midpoint between the buy and sell prices of a currency on the global market - the "real" rate you see on Google or Reuters before any markup. It is the fairest reference point for comparing prices, which is why WaveRate displays it rather than a single bank's retail rate.

Question 3

Why is the exchange rate I get at a bank or airport different from the one I see online?

Accepted Answer

Banks, card networks, and airport kiosks add a margin on top of the mid-market rate and often charge a fee, so the rate you actually pay is worse than the reference rate. Checking the mid-market rate first - for instance in WaveRate - tells you how large that markup is before you exchange money or pay by card abroad.

Question 4

Do exchange rates change on weekends?

Accepted Answer

The global currency market is mostly closed from Friday evening to Sunday evening, so published rates barely move over the weekend and then catch up when markets reopen. WaveRate keeps showing the latest available rate over the weekend and refreshes as soon as trading resumes.

Question 5

How often do exchange rates change?

Accepted Answer

Major currency rates change every few seconds during market hours and can move noticeably from one day to the next. WaveRate refreshes live rates whenever you have an internet connection so the numbers you see stay current.

Question 6

What do currency codes like USD, EUR, and GBP mean?

Accepted Answer

Each currency has a three-letter code from the ISO 4217 standard: the first two letters are usually the country (US, GB) and the last is the currency (D for dollar, P for pound). So USD is the US dollar, EUR the euro, GBP the British pound, and JPY the Japanese yen. WaveRate labels every currency with its code, name, and flag so they are easy to tell apart.

Question 7

Can I see historical exchange rates and trends?

Accepted Answer

Yes. WaveRate includes exchange rate charts with ranges from 1 week up to 5 years, so you can see whether a currency is stronger or weaker than usual before you convert or travel.

Question 8

Should I exchange money before I travel or once I arrive?

Accepted Answer

It is usually best to avoid airport exchange desks at both ends, since they carry the widest markups. Withdrawing local cash from an ATM at your destination or paying by a low-fee card often gets you closer to the mid-market rate. Check that rate in WaveRate first so you know what a fair amount looks like.

Question 9

What is the best way to get a good exchange rate when travelling?

Accepted Answer

Check the mid-market rate before you go, avoid airport and hotel currency kiosks, and use a card that charges the real rate without large foreign-transaction fees. WaveRate is built for this: live rates for 160+ currencies, charts, a multi-currency calculator, and offline access to recently loaded rates for when you have no signal abroad.

Question 10

When paying by card abroad, should I choose the local currency or my home currency?

Accepted Answer

Almost always choose the local currency. If you let the terminal charge you in your home currency - known as dynamic currency conversion - the merchant sets the exchange rate and usually adds a markup. Paying in the local currency lets your own bank or card network convert at a rate much closer to the mid-market rate you can check in WaveRate.

Question 11

What is a foreign transaction fee, and how can I avoid it?

Accepted Answer

A foreign transaction fee is a percentage (often around 1-3%) that some banks add when you spend in another currency. You can avoid it by using a card that advertises no foreign-transaction fees and by always paying in the local currency. WaveRate helps you see the underlying rate so you can spot how much extra a fee or markup is costing you.

Question 12

Can I convert several currencies at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes. WaveRate's calculator updates every currency on your list as you type, so you can compare a price across many currencies at the same time instead of converting them one by one.

Question 13

How many currencies does WaveRate support?

Accepted Answer

WaveRate supports live rates for 160+ currencies, covering all major and most minor world currencies. You can search, reorder, and keep the ones you use most at the top of your list.

Question 14

Does WaveRate support cryptocurrency?

Accepted Answer

No. WaveRate focuses on world (fiat) currencies - 160+ of them - and does not track cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. This keeps the app fast, simple, and reliable for everyday conversion and travel.

Question 15

Why does each currency have its own colour in WaveRate?

Accepted Answer

WaveRate gives every currency a consistent colour identity - the US dollar is always green, the euro always blue - so you can recognise a currency at a glance instead of reading every code. It makes a long list far quicker to scan, especially when you follow many currencies.

Question 16

Does WaveRate work offline?

Accepted Answer

WaveRate can show the most recently loaded rates while offline, which is useful when travelling or when your connection is unreliable. Rates refresh automatically the next time you are online.

Question 17

How accurate are the exchange rates in WaveRate?

Accepted Answer

WaveRate shows live reference (mid-market) rates updated whenever you are online, so they closely track the global market. Note that the retail rate a specific bank, card, or exchange office gives you will differ, because providers add their own margin on top of the reference rate.

Question 18

Is WaveRate available on iPhone and Android, and is it free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. WaveRate is free to download for iPhone on the App Store and for Android on Google Play, with optional premium features available in the app.

Question 19

Is WaveRate financial advice?

Accepted Answer

No. WaveRate is a currency conversion and tracking app for informational use only. Exchange rates are provided as a reference and are not financial, investment, or trading advice.

WaveRate Currency Converter for iOS and Android