Forex market hours: when the currency market is open and busiest
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
The forex market has no single exchange, so currencies trade between banks and brokers around the world, 24 hours a day from Sunday evening to Friday evening UK time. Activity moves from one financial centre to the next as each one opens.
The four main sessions
- Sydney opens the week on Sunday evening UK time.
- Tokyo follows, bringing more yen and Asian currency trading.
- London opens in the morning UK time and is the largest forex centre in the world.
- New York opens in the early afternoon UK time and runs into the evening.
When it's busiest
The overlap between London and New York, roughly early afternoon to late afternoon UK time, usually has the most trading. Spreads tend to be tighter then, while quiet hours and holidays can bring wider spreads. Exact times shift by an hour when clocks change for daylight saving.
Weekends
The main market closes at weekends, but news doesn't stop, so prices can open on Sunday at a different level from where they closed on Friday. This is known as a weekend gap. Many currency apps add a bigger margin at weekends to cover this.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay platforms let your customers exchange GBP, EUR and USD under your own brand, at an exchange fee you set, powered by licensed partners. SendPay doesn't offer forex trading.
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This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.