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Market Foundations + Forex Mechanics · The Basics

Sessions (Sydney, Tokyo, London, NY)

Map session opens to pair behavior.

3 min read+25 XPLesson 8 of 110
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Market Foundations + Forex Mechanics

The Basics

Lesson 8 of 1107%
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Lesson 8 of 110Market Foundations + Forex MechanicsThe Basics

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Map session opens to pair behavior.

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Liquidity moves with the sun

Forex is often called a 24-hour market, but the cleaner phrase is 24/5. It runs through the business week, then pauses over the weekend. Liquidity moves around the world as major financial centers open: Sydney around 5pm ET, Tokyo around 7pm ET, London around 3am ET, and New York around 8am ET.

A 24-hour dial shows Sydney, Tokyo, London and New York sessions as colored arcs in Eastern time, with London and New York overlapping in the morning.2461218SydneyTokyoLondonNew YorkHours in ET,approx
Wick saysLiquidity moves around the world as Sydney, Tokyo, London and New York open.

The London-New York overlap, roughly 8am to 12pm ET, is usually the busiest window. More institutions are active, spreads tend to be tighter, and the largest moves often happen there. For a small account, that can be good because costs are lower, but it also means price can move quickly.

Wick points at a chalkboard saying forex is open all week, closed on weekends, and busiest from 8am to 12pm ET, teaching when liquidity is usually highest.Forex is 24/5Open all weekClosed on weekendsBusiest: 8am to 12pm ET
Wick saysForex runs 24/5, and the London to New York overlap is usually the busiest window.

The Asian session often ranges more, with extra attention on JPY pairs and regional news. London brings European pairs to life. New York brings U.S. dollar news and activity across all majors. Sessions matter because a setup that works in one liquidity environment can behave differently in another.

Three cards compare the Asian session that often ranges, London where European pairs get busy, and New York with U.S. dollar news, showing sessions change behavior.AsiaOftenranges,JPY focusLondonEuropeanpairs wakeupNew YorkU.S. dollarnews andflow
Wick saysEach session has its own mood, so a setup can act differently in Asia than in London.

Recap: forex is 24/5, not 24/7. Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York each change liquidity, spreads, volatility, and pair behavior.

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1. What is the most accurate simple description of forex market hours?

2. Which window is usually the highest-liquidity forex overlap?

3. Why do sessions matter for a trader?

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