Module 20: Trading Sessions
Key Takeaways
- Forex runs across three major sessions that follow the sun.
- The London–New York overlap is the most active period.
- Trade when your instrument is most liquid for tighter spreads.
Asian session
Centred on Tokyo (roughly 00:00–09:00 UTC). Generally quieter and range-bound, ideal for JPY and AUD pairs. Lower volatility suits patient, range-style trading.
London session
Roughly 08:00–16:00 UTC. The largest forex session by volume — high liquidity and strong trends, especially in EUR and GBP pairs.
New York session
Roughly 13:00–21:00 UTC. High volume, driven by US data and equities. Major news (NFP, FOMC) lands here.
Session overlaps
The London–New York overlap (about 13:00–16:00 UTC) is the busiest window of the day — highest liquidity, tightest spreads and biggest moves. Many intraday traders focus their activity here.
Convert session times to your local timezone and mark them on your platform. Trade your instrument when its home market is active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crypto trades 24/7, but it still sees more volume during US and European waking hours.