Forex Trading Hours

Key Takeaways

• The forex market operates 24 hours a day, five days a week across the following sessions:
  Tokyo (00:00–09:00 GMT), London (08:00–16:00 GMT), and New York (13:00–22:00 GMT).

• Liquidity and typically tighter spreads peak during session overlaps
  (especially London–New York), while major economic news can trigger sharp volatility and wider spreads.

• Each session has distinct characteristics: Tokyo sees higher activity in JPY and Asia-Pacific currency pairs, London is the largest
  and most liquid trading window, and New York starts highly liquid then tapers off after London closes.

• Forex is an OTC interbank market where banks and market makers quote bid and ask prices, and brokers
  aggregate prices from multiple liquidity providers.

• Volatility varies by currency pair and session (major pairs tend to be steadier than exotics), so align your trading hours with
  your strategy and utilize tools like economic calendars and news feeds to manage risk.

Forex Market Opening Hours

The forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week, from Sunday evening through Friday night. This continuous market is divided into major trading sessions based on geographic regions:

• The Tokyo session runs from 12:00 AM to 9:00 AM GMT

• The London session runs from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM GMT

• The New York session runs from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM GMT

Tokyo Session Forex Hours 

The Tokyo session opens at 12:00 AM and closes at 9:00 AM GMT. It is one of the largest forex trading centers globally, accounting for approximately 20% of all forex transactions. During this session, currency pairs involving the Japanese yen (JPY) and Asia-Pacific currencies, such as AUD/USD, typically see increased activity. 

London Session Forex Hours

The London session begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 4:00 PM GMT. London is the largest forex trading hub, responsible for about 35% of global forex turnover. Due to the high trading volume during this session, forex spreads are narrower, especially for major currency pairs such as EUR/USD and GBP/USD.  

However, this session is also known for its volatility, offering opportunities for traders aiming to capitalize on price fluctuations. 

New York Session Forex Hours

The New York session opens at 1:00 PM and closes at 10:00 PM GMT. Due to the overlap with the London session, liquidity is significant at the start of this session.  

As the day progresses and the London market closes, liquidity typically declines, and the market may experience reduced volatility.

Optimal Forex Trading Times on TMGM

For forex traders aiming to maximize trading opportunities, the best times to trade are during periods of heightened market activity, particularly during session overlaps.  

The overlap between the London and New York sessions offers the highest liquidity and tightest spreads. However, traders should be aware that major economic news releases during this time can increase volatility and potentially widen spreads.

Forex Trading with TMGM

The foreign exchange (forex) market is the most liquid financial market worldwide, with an estimated daily trading volume exceeding $7 trillion. Forex market hours span the entire workweek. Forex trading involves buying and selling currencies to profit from fluctuations in exchange rates.  

Unlike stocks which are traded on centralized exchanges, forex is traded over-the-counter (OTC). This means there is no central physical exchange, and currencies can be traded virtually anywhere and at any time, resulting in essentially 24-hour market availability during weekdays.—

What is Forex Trading

Forex trading—also known as foreign exchange trading—involves exchanging one currency for another in the global marketplace. It is the largest and most liquid financial market, operating 24 hours a day, five days a week. Forex traders speculate on currency price movements to generate profits, often employing market analysis and forex trading strategies. 

What is CFD Trading in Forex

Forex CFD (Contract for Difference) trading enables you to speculate on the price movements of currency pairs during different forex market hours without owning the underlying currencies. 

When trading forex CFDs on TMGM, you enter into a contract with the broker to exchange the difference in the price of a currency pair from the time the contract is opened until it is closed. If the price moves in your favor, you realize a profit; if it moves against you, you incur a loss.

The Interbank Market and Market Makers

The forex market functions as an interbank market, where large banks and financial institutions act as market makers by setting bid and ask prices.

This structure provides high flexibility and fewer trading restrictions compared to other markets such as stock exchanges.

On TMGM, traders benefit from tight spreads and deep liquidity, as the trading platform aggregates prices from multiple liquidity providers, including top-tier banks.

What is Volatility in Forex?

Volatility in forex refers to the extent of price fluctuations within a given period. It measures how much and how quickly a currency’’s price changes. High volatility indicates larger and more rapid price swings, while low volatility suggests smaller and more gradual movements. It is often quantified in pips, the smallest price increment in a currency pair.  

On TMGM, you can trade a broad selection of currency pairs –—over 50 forex pairs–—each exhibiting different volatility profiles. Major pairs like EUR/USD generally have lower volatility compared to exotic pairs such as USD/TRY, which can show significant price swings due to lower liquidity.

Factors Affecting Volatility in Forex

Volatility during specific forex market hours can be influenced by various factors, including economic events, geopolitical developments, and central bank policies. For instance, interest rate decisions or unexpected political events can cause sharp price movements in currency pairs.  

Traders on TMGM can leverage advanced tools such as economic calendars and market news feeds to stay informed and manage their positions effectively. 

Trading Forex CFDs on TMGM

TMGM provides a comprehensive trading environment for forex CFD trading, offering access to over 50 currency pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics across all forex market hours.

The platform features competitive spreads, low margin requirements, and advanced trading tools, making it suitable for both novice and experienced traders.

Enhanced Trading with TMGM’’s VPS Hosting

For traders aiming to optimize their forex strategies and maximize trading during forex market hours, TMGM offers Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting. Forex VPS hosting enables you to run your trading platforms on a remote server, such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5). This setup ensures your trading platform remains online 24/7, delivering ultra-low latency and minimizing risks of disconnection due to local power outages or internet issues.

Using a forex VPS with TMGM allows for faster trade execution, which is critical in the fast-moving forex market. This service is especially advantageous for traders employing automated strategies, such as Expert Advisors (EAs), ensuring continuous algorithm operation without downtime.

Moreover, TMGM’’s VPS hosting is located near major liquidity providers, further reducing latency and enhancing trade execution speeds.

Whether you'’re a professional trader seeking a competitive edge or a beginner aiming to optimize performance during forex market hours, TMGM’’s VPS hosting delivers the reliability and speed required to execute your strategies effectively.

Getting Started with TMGM

If you'’re new to forex trading, TMGM provides educational resources, including articles, webinars, and demo accounts to help you grasp the fundamentals.

For more advanced traders, the platform offers access to sophisticated analytical tools, including technical indicators such as MACD, RSI, Fibonacci and advanced charting software, enabling you to refine your forex trading strategies.