[PL89]

What are the typical hours for day trading? I know like the stock market has set hours, but how does it work for different assets like forex? Are there certain times that are better for liquidity and volatility?

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[BTC Ben]

Crypto markets are open 24/7 baby! Late nights and weekends can be a bit slow mind you so brace for exaggerated price swings and big spreads.

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[PL89]

Ok Ben, I’ve never day traded crypto before but good to know.

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[BTC Ben]

Buckle up your seatbelt because she’s a bumpy ride! It’s not for the faint hearted or risk adverse!

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[Steve]

US stock markets are generally open for trading between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM (ET). Many people believe, me included, that the first 1 or 2 hours after open (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM ET), and the last hour before close (3:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET), are when there’s opportunities due to chunky trading volumes.

Fire up a platform and look at Nvidia as an example. You’ll see lots happens in the first hour and a half ish as momentum traders and institutions flood in.

I’d swerve lunchtime hours (11:30 AM to 2:00 PM ET) because you’ll see volume drops and you get choppy price action.

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[PL89]

Great Steve, this is the kind of info I was after. Basically target efforts in a few hours at the start and end of the day.

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[Liam]

Lots of people will tell you that you can day trade forex 24/5 but I wouldn’t. If you’re after volume and volatility, zero in on the overlaps of the key trading sessions:

London & New York Overlap (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM GMT): Most liquid and volatile period. Good for EUR/USD, USD/CAD, GBP/USD.

Tokyo & London Overlap (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM GMT): Less significant but can still offer opportunities. Good for USD/JPY, GBP/JPY, EUR/JPY.

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[PL89]

Thanks Liam, similar to Steve’s comments it sounds like it’s best that I focus on those key windows and overlaps. A relief to know you don’t actually need to be at your desk for 12 hours.

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[ABTrading87]

There are some helpful responses here but PL89 I’d also take into account YOUR circumstances. Where are you based?

• If you’re in Asia, you might want to think about the Tokyo/early London session.
• If you’re a night owl in the US? Sydney/Tokyo sessions could work.
• Got a full-time job? Consider early mornings or last hour of the NY session.

Another thing worth mentioning is that economic reports (like Non-Farm Payrolls, CPI, Fed minutes etc.) can lead to serious price swings, so trading windows aren’t fixed.

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