Crypto vs Forex Hours
Forex runs roughly 24/5. Spot crypto runs 24/7. Liquidity for both still fattens when London and New York are open on weekdays.
Side-by-side
Weekend is the clearest split
From Friday 5:00 PM ET to Sunday 5:00 PM ET, interbank forex is closed while BTC/ETH spot keeps trading. Mid-week, crypto volume often rises in the same windows as FX — see session overlaps.
| Period | Forex | Spot crypto |
|---|---|---|
| Mon–Thu | Open 24h | Open 24h |
| Friday | Open until 17:00 ET | Open all day |
| Saturday | Closed | Open (often thinner) |
| Sunday before 17:00 ET | Closed | Open |
| Sunday after 17:00 ET | Reopens | Open |
Check both status pages
Gold sits with forex
Retail spot gold is closer to the 24/5 FX week than to crypto. Gold vs forex hours.
Timing guides
FAQ
Can I trade crypto when forex is closed?
Yes for spot crypto on most exchanges. That is the main calendar difference.
Do crypto and forex peak at the same hours?
Often mid-week they do — US/London hours — even though crypto never fully closes.