This study employs option‐price data to back out the implied cross‐sectional return variance in the G10 currencies. It investigates the relation of implied cross‐sectional return dispersion in the currency market and subsequent realized cross‐sectional return dispersion. We find that implied cross‐sectional return variance, based on option‐price data with 1‐ and 3‐month maturity, outperforms past cross‐sectional return variance in forecasting future cross‐sectional return variance. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 37:3–22, 2017