🌍 Trading Sessions Explained: Asia, London & New York
Financial markets operate 24 hours a day, but real volatility, liquidity, and institutional moves happen during specific trading sessions. Each session has a unique role in shaping price action.
Understanding these sessions helps traders trade with smart money, not against it.
🌏 Asia Session (Tokyo Session)
⏰ Time:
12:00 AM – 9:00 AM UTC
🔹 What Happens in the Asia Session?
Market is usually slow and range-bound
Low volatility and low volume
Institutions often build positions
Fake moves and consolidations are common
🔹 Most Active Assets
JPY pairs
AUD & NZD
Crypto: low momentum, tight ranges
🔹 Trader Focus
Mark Asia High & Low
Identify range and liquidity zones
Prepare for London breakout
📌 Smart Money Insight:
Asia session mainly builds liquidity. The real move usually starts later.
🇬🇧 London Session (European Session)
⏰ Time:
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM UTC
🔹 What Happens in the London Session?
High volatility enters the market
Asia range often breaks
Institutional traders become very active
Major trends usually begin here
🔹 Most Active Assets
EUR & GBP pairs
Gold (XAUUSD)
Crypto: strong directional moves
🔹 Trader Focus
Break of Asia High / Low
BOS / CHoCH confirmations
Trend-following setups
📌 Smart Money Insight:
London session often sets the true market direction.
🇺🇸 New York Session (US Session)
⏰ Time:
1:00 PM – 10:00 PM UTC
🔹 What Happens in the New York Session?
Very high volatility
Major news releases (CPI, NFP, FOMC)
Continuation or reversal of the London trend
🔹 Most Active Assets
USD pairs
Gold
US indices (NASDAQ, S&P 500)
Crypto: heavy volume
🔹 Trader Focus
Liquidity grabs above/below London highs & lows
Strong expansion moves
Profit-taking or reversals
📌 Smart Money Insight:
New York session is often where big money exits or reverses positions.
🔥 London–New York Overlap (Most Powerful Session)
⏰ Time:
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM UTC
Why This Time Is Important?
Maximum liquidity
Institutions from both regions are active
Fast, aggressive moves and false breakouts
📌 Professional traders prefer this window, but strict risk management is required.
🧠 Session Summary
Session
Market Behavior
Asia
Range, Liquidity Building
London
Direction, Breakouts
New York
Expansion, Reversal
✅ Final Trading Tip (SMC / ICT Traders)
Asia Session → Setup & Liquidity
London Session → Entry & Direction
New York Session → Targets & Exit
