How it works
Activity moves through Asia, Europe and North America during the business week. Liquidity and volatility can change as centres open, overlap and close.
What to check
Check the broker's instrument schedule and time zone because retail platforms may pause trading around daily rollover or holidays even when the broader market is active.
- Use the platform's actual schedule
- Convert times to one reference zone
- Expect liquidity to vary
Limits and risks
The market is often described as 24 hours during weekdays, but liquidity is not constant. Thin periods can have wider spreads and more erratic execution.
Primary sources
BIS 2025 Triennial Central Bank Survey↗FCA: Contracts for difference (CFDs)↗General information only. Investment products can lose value, and terms, fees and regulation can change.