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Forex market hours: when the currency market is open and busiest

By SendPay Business · · 2 min read

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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.
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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.

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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.

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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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How it works

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SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank. Accounts, cards and payments are powered by licensed partners.

Questions people ask

Which forex sessions are open now?

See the Sydney, Tokyo, London and New York sessions in your own time.

Forex market hours →
What is the forex market?

The global market for swapping currencies.

What is the forex market? →
What is a spread?

The gap between buy and sell prices.

What is a forex spread? →
What is the mid-market rate?

The midpoint between buy and sell.

Mid-market rate →

Read next

Spotted a mistake or something out of date? and we'll fix it. How our guides are made

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. Other companies named in this guide are reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.