Unlike traditional markets, crypto never closes. You can buy, sell, and trade 24/7. But just because it’s always open doesn’t mean all hours are equally good for trading.
Some parts of the day bring more action, stronger trends, and better prices. Other times, the market moves slowly and unpredictably. If you're trading from Singapore, knowing when to trade can make a real difference.
Singapore sits in the UTC+8 time zone, giving traders access to both the Asian markets in the morning and the overlap of European and U.S. sessions at night. These periods often bring the most trading volume, which leads to faster movement and better conditions.
This guide will help you:
- Understand how crypto trading hours vary across the day
- Find the best times to trade based on Singapore time
- Match your strategy with the right market sessions
- Avoid common mistakes made by new traders
We’ll break down the global trading schedule, show how it fits into your local day in SG, and offer tips to improve your results based on timing. Whether you’re new to crypto or want better timing for your trades, this article gives you the tools to do it right.
How the Crypto Market Works: 24/7, But Not Evenly
Crypto markets are open every hour of every day. No weekends. No closing bell. But that doesn’t mean the market looks the same all the time.
Some hours are packed with trades, price changes, and strong momentum. Other times, the market slows down. Price movement becomes flat, and trade volume drops. This difference comes from time zones and trader activity around the world.
Why Certain Hours Are More Active
Most professional and institutional traders follow working hours in their region — Asia, Europe, or the United States. As their day begins, they bring fresh trades, market reactions, and new demand. These hours create natural “sessions” during the day.
- Asian session: Active during the Singapore morning, includes Japan, Hong Kong, and China.
- European session: Starts in the late afternoon in Singapore, with volume picking up as London and Frankfurt open.
- US session: Begins late at night in Singapore, but brings high volatility and global news reactions.
Why It Matters for Traders in Singapore
During active sessions, there are more trades, more buyers and sellers, and tighter spreads between prices. This makes it easier to enter or exit positions at good prices.
During quiet hours — such as the early afternoon in Singapore — volume drops. It becomes harder to predict moves, and spreads get wider. You may see sudden price spikes from one or two large trades rather than real market direction.
What Moves the Market Besides Time
News and events also affect timing. Economic updates, political news, or industry developments often arrive during business hours in the US and Europe. This creates sudden movement during those time blocks.
In short: the market may be open 24/7, but smart traders know that timing still matters. The key is matching your activity to the busiest and most liquid parts of the day — especially if you're based in Singapore.
Global Trading Sessions and Their Impact on Crypto
Even though crypto trades nonstop, activity levels change depending on the time of day. That’s because traders from different parts of the world join the market at different hours. These time blocks are known as trading sessions.
The three main sessions follow the business hours of Asia, Europe, and the U.S. As each session begins, new market volume flows in — creating fresh price movement and opportunities.
Three Key Sessions to Know
- Asian Session (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM SGT): This session includes Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. It starts the global trading day. Volume is steady, and local news can affect regional tokens.
- European Session (3:00 PM – 12:00 AM SGT): As London and other European cities open, crypto volume grows. Liquidity improves, and prices become more reactive. This session prepares the market for U.S. action.
- US Session (9:00 PM – 5:00 AM SGT): This is the most volatile period. New York traders react to global news, tech announcements, and economic data. Many large moves begin here.
When Sessions Overlap
The most powerful moves often happen when two sessions are open at the same time. These “overlap hours” bring the highest volume and tightest spreads.
| Session Overlap | UTC | Singapore Time (SGT) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia – Europe | 07:00 – 08:00 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Volume picks up, start of European trading |
| Europe – US | 13:00 – 16:00 | 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Most liquid and volatile time of the day |
Example for Singapore-Based Traders
Let’s say you’re watching Ethereum around 8:00 PM SGT. It’s calm, moving slowly. But once it hits 9:00 PM, both European and U.S. traders are active. Suddenly, ETH jumps by 3% in one hour. This happens often during overlaps — and can mean strong trade opportunities.
Tip: Plan your most important trades during these high-activity windows. You’ll likely get better entry points and faster execution.
Converting Global Sessions to Singapore Time
To trade effectively in Singapore, you need to match global trading hours to your local schedule. This helps you focus on the hours that offer the best price movement, volume, and overall trading conditions.
Here’s how the major sessions convert into Singapore Time (SGT):
- Asian Session: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM SGT
- European Session: 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM SGT
- US Session: 9:00 PM – 5:00 AM SGT
Best Time Blocks for Crypto Traders in SG
There are two key periods during the day when traders in Singapore see the most market activity:
- Morning (8:00 AM – 11:00 AM SGT): This is the heart of the Asian session. It’s perfect for analyzing trends, placing early trades, or catching regional price movement. Traders focused on Asian tokens often prefer this window.
- Evening (9:00 PM – 12:00 AM SGT): The overlap of Europe and the US brings huge trading volume. Bitcoin and Ethereum often move sharply during this time. If you’re looking for quick trades, this is your most active window.
How to Plan Your Trading Routine
Here’s an example of how a Singapore-based trader might organize their day:
- Morning: Scan the news, review charts, and set limit orders
- Afternoon: Low market activity — good time to wait or skip trading
- Evening: Watch price movements closely and trade during the overlap
By understanding how world sessions line up with your local time, you can avoid slow hours and focus on periods when markets are most alive. This is a simple shift — but one that can lead to better entries, quicker exits, and more efficient trading overall.
