MT4 is the most popular trading platform broadly utilized by online retail forex traders. It was produced by MetaQuotes and discharged in 2005. The product is authorized by outside trade brokers who give the product to their customers.

Although it is most commonly associated with forex trading, MT4 can be used to trade a range of markets including indices and commodities, via CFDs or spread betting. MT4 is extremely popular due to the fact that it is highly customizable to your individual trading preferences.

MT4 is one of the most popular platforms, but it is not the only one as there are other ones which are quite popular too such as MT5 and cTrader. Having said that MT4 still is used by many traders as it offers an easy to understand interface, and good tools.

Don't forget that metaquotes stopped selling MT4 licenses since 2018. All new brokers with MT4 are whitelabels from brokers who got mt4 license before 2018.
Slowly but steady MT5 replacing MT4. I don't think that mt4 will be existing after 10 years

MT4, or MetaTrader 4, is crucial in trading due to its versatility, reliability, and widespread adoption. As a leading trading platform, MT4 offers a user-friendly interface, advanced charting tools, and customizable indicators, catering to both novice and experienced traders. Its support for automated trading through Expert Advisors (EAs) and extensive backtesting capabilities empower traders to implement complex strategies efficiently. Furthermore, MT4's availability across multiple devices and brokers ensures seamless trading experiences. Overall, MT4's importance lies in its ability to streamline trading processes, enhance analysis, and facilitate access to global financial markets.