User:1Maven/Currency Exchange

[[File:Black Lion Trading Company interface.jpg|thumb|Defaults to the Gem Store tab when opened.]]
{{Quotation|in-game message|Players trade gold and gems with each other through this exchange. '''Prices may refresh every few minutes''' based on the total amount of gems and coins contributed by players across all worlds.}}
[[Currency Exchange]] allows you to trade [[coin]] for [[gems]] and vice versa. Additionally, gems may be purchased on North American, European and Chinese servers using the Dollar, the Euro and the Yuan (respectively). 

==Access==
[[File:Standard Currency Exchange interface.jpg|thumb|Standard Currency Exchange interface]]
First, open the {{simple icon|Trading Post}} by either:
* Using the hotkey (default: {{key|O}}).
* Clicking the {{simple icon|Black Lion Trading Company|icon=Black Lion Menu Bar icon.png}} icon (upper-left screen).
* Interacting with a [[Black Lion Trader]]. The panel defaults to the [[Trading Post]].
* Using a {{simple icon|Trading Post Express}} consumable.

Then, select the {{simple icon|Currency exchange}} tab, which will open the standard currency exchange display.

== Mechanics ==
Players are limited to exchanging {{gem|9999}} or {{coin|2000000}} in any single transaction. To help combat botting and scams, there is a delay (of three complete days, i.e. 72 hours) after creating a new account before currency can be exchanged.

=== Exchange rate ===
The ''exchange rate'' is determined by supply and demand from players. Since supply and demand affects the rate, the ratio can shift rapidly depending on market conditions, especially when the Gem Store adds new offerings. Due to incompatibilities, the three North american, European and Chinese server groups maintain separate pools of currency to determine the exchange rate. {{verify}}

The exchange has a supply of both Gems and Gold. When you trade to the exchange you influence the supply of each. The exchange rate is relative to current supply of each. The price changes geometrically as one pool empties creating a better exchange rate for the low supplied currency. The supplies are contained entirely within the exchange.<ref>[http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/2xtjc7/psa_how_gems_work/cp3gd2a John Smith on reddit]</ref>

=== Transaction fee ===
There is a 15% transaction fee whether trading gems for gold or vice versa. For example, exchanging {{gold|1}} gives {{silver|85}} worth of gems while reselling those gems returns only around {{coin|7225}}, a net loss of roughly 28%.

=== Standard exchange ===
The initial interface panel displays standard exchange amounts and how much coin or gems is require to purchase. Click on {{key|Buy}} next to the desired transaction to complete the purchase.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Get Gold !! !! Get Gems
|-
| {{coin|2500000}} || || {{gem|2000}}
|-
| {{coin|1000000}} || || {{gem|1200}}
|-
| {{coin|500000}} || || {{gem|800}}
|-
| {{coin|100000}} || || {{gem|400}}
|-
| {{coin|10000}}
|}

=== Custom exchange ===
[[File:Custom Currency Exchange interface.jpg|thumb|Customize more exact exchanges]]
Players may click the {{key|Custom Exchange}}  button, which opens another interface screen for more exact exchanges. Enter the desired amount in the appropriate field. The purchase price will be dynamically displayed based on the exchange rate. Click on {{key|Buy}} next to the desired transaction to complete the purchase.

== Historical data ==
Historical data is available via external websites.<ref>
[http://www.gw2spidy.com/gem GW2Spidy Gem Exchange Rate]</ref>

=== Initial ===
The first day of recorded operation was September 10, 2012. At that time:
* {{gem|100}} cost {{coin|2747}} to buy
* {{gem|100}} sold for {{coin|1965}}

=== Inflation ===
With few exceptions, the daily moving average has steadily increased. As of May 14, 2015 (about 32 months) 
* {{gem|100}} cost {{coin|206617}} to buy, a 8313% increase or roughly 260% per month or 8.66% per day.
* {{gem|100}} sold for {{coin|116011}}, a 5905% increase or roughly 184% per month or 6.15% per day.

This is not representative of the recent rate of inflation. Two months ago, on March 14th the daily moving average was
* {{gem|100}} cost {{coin|141234}} to buy, a 146% increase or roughly 73% per month or 2.43% per day.
* {{gem|100}} sold for {{coin|87207}}, a 133% increase or roughly 67% per month or 2.12% per day.

== Buy More Gems ==
[[File:Buy More Gems interface.jpg|thumb|Buy More Gems interface]]
{{Quotation|in-game message|Getting more gems is easy! You can purchase gems with one of the payment methods listed below, or you can trade gold for gems through the currency exchange.}}
The Buy More Gems interface screen will overlay the prior screen when this option is selected. The price of gems has historically remained constant, {{gem|100}} cost 1.25 USD to buy. Standardized amounts are displayed:
*{{gem|800}} for $10.00 USD
*{{gem|1600}} for $20.00 USD
*{{gem|2800}} for $35.00 USD
*{{gem|4000}} for $50.00 USD
*{{gem|8000}} for $100.00 USD

Payment may be made three different ways:
*Credit (or Debit) card
*[https://www.paypal.com/home Paypal]
*[https://www.paysafecard.com/ paysafe]

== Purchasing power ==
Due to currency exchange inflation, the value of purchased gems has increased over time. Conversely, the value of in-game gold used to purchase items in the [[gem store]] has decreased. For example, to increase your storage, it is now less expensive to create a personal [[guild vault]] than to purchasing an equivalent number of new [[account vault]] tabs from the gem store.

=== Speculation ===
Even adjusting for losses from the transaction fee, purchasing gems with excess gold, holding those gems for weeks or months, then purchasing gold with gems may result in an increase of in-game gold. It is important to recognize the risk, if there is a significant reduction in the current inflation rate, a loss may result.

==References==
<references/>

==See Also==
* [[Gem]]
* [[Gem Store]]
* [[Trading Post]]