24-Hour Trading
Trading was once the domain of professionals and institutions operating on set hours in specific geographic locations, but today, the worldwide web, internet-based brokers and cryptocurrencies allow individual investors to make trades 24/7, 365 days a year.
24-hour trading is a godsend for many private traders, as it allows them to trade in their own time, regardless of their duties during normal working hours (though not all assets and markets will be available around the clock). Forex, cryptos and other assets that are available will likely require specific strategies tailored to the time of day.
This guide will provide examples and strategies to help beginners understand the meaning of 24-hour trading markets. We have also reviewed and listed the top brokers and trading apps in the UK with 24 hour trading below.
24 Hour Trading Platforms & Brokers
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PrimeXBT offers forex trading on over 50 majors, minors and exotics with margin opportunities and zero commissions. The forex platform is fast, reliable and feature-rich based on our latest tests with 3 charts, 10 timeframes, and 91 technical studies - ideal for active trading strategies.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
- EOS
- ADA
- DOT
- SOL
- UNI
- LINK
- DOGE
- BNB
- ICP
- SAND
- more
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IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- DOT
- DSH
- EMC
- EOS
- ETH
- LNK
- LTC
- NMC
- PPC
- XLM
- XRP
- ADA
- BNB
- DOG
- UNI
- XTZ
-
OANDA offers 68 currency pairs, which is above the industry average. You can speculate on majors, minors and exotics, with spreads from 0.8 pips on popular pairs. There are no commissions and leverage is available up to 1:200. Average execution speeds are fast based on tests, at 12 milliseconds.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- PAXG
- LINK
- UNI
- AAVE
-
XTB provides access to 70+ currency pairs with low spreads averaging around 1 pip on majors. The xStation platform offers an intuitive environment for forex traders with an excellent charting package encompassing 30+ indicators, plus a range of order types, catering to various strategies and risk management techniques.
Crypto Coins
- ADA
- BTC
- BCH
- DSH
- EOS
- ETH
- IOTA
- LTC
- NEO
- XRP
- XLM
- TRX
- XEM
- XLM
- XMR
- DOGE
- BNB
- LINK
- UNI
- DOT
- XTZ
-
IQCent traders can access CFDs or binary options on 45+ forex pairs. CFD spreads start from 0.3 pips and binary options payouts are decent up to 95%. This is competitive compared to Pocket Option, for example, offering forex payouts up to only 81%.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- ETC
- DOGE
- MATIC
- QNT
- SOL
- XRP
- USDT
- XMR
- BNB
-
BlackBull offers 64 currency pairs with excellent pricing through its ECN accounts, with the Standard commission-free spread starting from 0.8 pips. BlackBull also ensures its rapid execution carries through to MT4, which still stands as the industry’s most popular platform with active forex traders.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- XRP
- LTC
- ADA
- POLY
- XFET
- XINJ
- XNAKA
- XAX
- XCOTI
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Kwakol Markets offers a wider range of forex pairs than most competitors, with 90+ assets available. Users get fast execution speeds and competitive spreads through the ECN model. On the negative side, not all currency pairs are available on MT4.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- BNB
-
OspreyFX offers more than 50 major, minor and exotic currency pairs. Spreads start from just 0.1 pips on the EUR/USD and the broker provides a suite of forex trading education for beginners, including partnering with Forex Squad for fresh insights.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- DASH
- EDO
- EOS
- ETH
- IOTA
- LTC
- NEO
- OMG
- SAN
- XMR
- XRP
- ZEC
- DOGE
- SHIB
- ADA
- SOL
- DOT
- AVA
- XLM
- TRON
- ETC
- BNB
- BCH
- BAT
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CloseOption offers binaries on 25+ forex pairs, including majors like EUR/USD and a few minors like AUD/JPY. Payouts vary by currency, with decent typical payouts of 75% for GBP/USD.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XBT
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Amega offers an unusually large selection of currency pairs for an unregulated broker with 70+ forex CFDs, alongside up to 1:1000 leverage, zero commissions and competitive spreads from 0.8 pips. FX traders also have access to MT5 – the faster, more advanced version of MT4.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
-
Errante traders can access 50+ forex pairs with leverage up to 1:500 (location dependant). The broker offers fast execution and tight spreads, especially to clients with VIP and Tailor-Made accounts.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XRP
- DASH
- EOS
- IOTA
- NEO
- OMG
- QTU
- TRX
- XMR
- ZEC
-
Coinexx offers an excellent selection of 70+ major, minor and exotics currency pairs, presenting diverse opportunities with a forex calculator to aid trading decisions. It’s also one of a select few brokers to support forex trading on the ActTrader platform, alongside MT4 and MT5.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
-
Ingot Brokers offers forex trading on a modest suite of 30+ currency pairs with raw spreads on the MT5 platform. There are also no restrictions on short-term trading strategies, including hedging, scalping and the use of Expert Advisors (EAs).
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XRP
- DOT
- EOS
- LNK
- DOGE
- ADA
- XLM
- ATOM
- AAVE
- AVX
- BNB
- DASH
- ENJ
- FTM
- MATIC
- SNX
- WAVE
- XMR
- XTZ
- YFI
- SOL
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Trade a small selection of 25 major and minor pairs. Spreads from zero on the pro account, micro-lot trading, and very high leverage make up for the limited range of currencies. The MetaTrader software is also a well-regarded platform for forex trading.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ADA
- ETH
- LTC
- DOG
- XRP
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Go long or short on over 50 currency pairs with spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD. Traders can access interactive tools on the forex industry’s most popular software, MetaTrader 4, with customizable charts, one-click trading and Expert Advisors (EAs) for algo trading.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- DASH
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XRP
- NEO
- IOTA
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World Forex offers CFD and digital contract trading on 53 forex pairs, including EUR/USD and GBP/EUR. High leverage is available for CFDs, which can be accessed with competitive spreads on certain account types.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- DSH
- LTC
- ETH
- ZEC
- XRP
- BCH
- XMR
- EOS
- NEO
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FinPros offers 80+ forex pairs, which is one of the more diverse offerings available. Traders benefit from ultra-low latency, MT5 support and very tight spreads and low commissions on the RAW+ account.
Crypto Coins
- ADA
- BTC
- DOT
- EOS
- ETH
- LTC
- XLM
- XRP
-
Trade 45+ major, minor and exotic pairs with deep liquidity and low latency. The ultra-tight spreads from 0.01 pips on raw accounts, competitive $7 or lower round-turn commissions and high leverage up to 1:500 will suit scalpers, who can trade without limits.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
-
Trade 200 CFD forex pairs with DMA pricing and tight spreads, ultra low latency and high leverage up to 1:1000. The range of forex pairs available and pricing model are among the most attractive in the African market.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- ADA
- XRP
-
Scope Markets offers 40+ major, minor and exotic currency pairs. Although the range is average, experienced traders can access very high leverage up to 1:2000. Additionally, the broker’s proprietary terminal delivers advanced analysis tools, including a live forex heatmap.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- XMR
- ZEC
- BCH
- DASH
-
Trade 50+ forex pairs, including popular major, minor and exotic pairs. This is a decent selection, but traders will have a choice between the attractive MT4, MT5 or IRESS platforms and regulatory cover from ASIC. The VPS will also suit automated forex trading strategis.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- BNB
- DOT
- EOS
- LINK
- UNI
- XTZ
- XLM
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Trade 49 major, minor and exotic currency pairs with fixed spreads or ECN pricing with no dealing desk intervention and a low starting deposit. You can analyze the currency markets using the broker's in-house trading platform.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- DASH
- ETH
- LTC
- USDC
- USDT
- XMR
- XRP
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I think the range of 60+ major, minor and exotic currency pairs is fairly competitive, especially with spreads from 0 pips in the Pro account. Experienced traders can also access high leverage up to 1:500 in the popular MT4 platform.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
-
Rock Global clients can access 50+ currency pairs via CFDs with leverage up to 1:500, world class liquidity and fast execution on the MT4 or TWS platforms. The tight spreads from 0.9 with no commission are a particularly attractive feature.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
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Binary and OTC options can be purchased on 40+ currency pairs, with 55+ currency pairs available if you deposit $1000. Typical payouts are reasonable at 81% and the $1 minimum trade makes the broker accessible to new forex traders. There is also access to the MT4 and MT5 platforms for experienced forex traders.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- BCH
- LINK
- AAVE
- ALGO
- TLM
- ALPP
- ANT
- AVAX
- AXS
- BNB
- ADA
- CHZ
- COMP
- ATOM
- DASH
- MANA
- DGB
- DOGE
- ENJ
- EOS
- FIL
- GLMR
- ILV
- ICP
- KAVA
- LTC
- MKR
- MASK
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ForexChief supports spot foreign exchange trading on all account types for 40+ major, minor and exotic currency pairs. Trading takes place on the leading MT4 and MT5 platforms, which offer dozens of in-built technical tools for short-term forex strategies.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
-
PU Prime clients can trade 40+ forex pairs via the MT4 and MT5 platforms with dynamic leverage up to 1:500. Spreads start from near zero on Prime accounts, which also charge a $7 commission per lot, and a zero-commission Standard account with wider spreads is also available.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- EOS
- XLM
-
With 100+ currency pairs including all majors plus many minors and exotics tradeable on the MT4 platform with 1:2000 leverage, SuperForex lives up to its name as a great choice for forex traders. The ForexCopy system is also useful for newer traders.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- ZEC
- DASH
- BCH
- XMR
- NEO
- EOS
-
AdroFx's strongest offering is its 60+ currency pairs, which can be traded with very high leverage up to 1:500. The broker also offers competitive forex spreads starting from 0.4 pips and charges no commission. Additionally, traders have access to MetaTrader 4, which was built for forex trading and offers excellent support for technical analysis and algo trading.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
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Trade 7 major, 21 minor and 29 exotic forex pairs with high leverage and a choice between STP or ECN accounts. Support is available around the clock and the TradeLocker forex software is provided.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- XRP
- LTC
- DASH
- ETH
- EOS
- NEO
- TRX
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IBKR presents an extensive range of over 100 major, minor, and exotic forex pairs, surpassing the offerings of nearly all leading alternatives, though not CMC Markets. Forex trading occurs over multiple platforms and boasts institutional-grade spreads starting from 0.1 pips and 20 complex order types, including brackets, scale, and one-cancels-all (OCA) orders.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
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M4Markets offers 45+ currencies with zero pip spreads. The low latency and 30-millisecond execution speeds makes the broker a decent choice for forex traders. Additionally, there are no restrictions on trading strategies, including scalping.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- DOGE
- DASH
- XMR
- OMG
- NEO
- QTUM
- ZEC
- DOT
- SOL
- ETX
- AXS
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MultiBank FX offers trading on 50+ major, minor and exotic currency pairs. Spreads are tighter than many competitors and the broker offers higher leverage than most alternatives. Automated trading strategies are also permitted.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
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I’m happy with Tradeview’s strong range of 60+ currency pairs spanning majors, minors and exotics with competitive spreads from 0 pips in the $1000 ILC account. Traders can choose from several platforms, but I was particularly impressed with the feature-rich Currenex platform which is designed specifically for currency trading.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETC
- LTC
- XRP
-
Global Prime traders can access 48 forex pairs including majors, minors and exotics with tight spreads from 0.9 with no commission or from 0 with a $7 round turn. Forex is traded via the leading MT4 platform, micro lots are available and latency is low via a New York-based server.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
-
Trade Nation offers over 30 of the most popular forex pairs with variable spreads. Traders can access a slick proprietary platform or MetaTrader 4, with real-time forex market updates and insights via 'Smart News'.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
-
As well as a competitive selection of 55+ forex pairs, traders can access high leverage up to 1:300. You can also enjoy advanced analysis from Trading Central with easy integration into MetaTrader 4.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- DSH
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- DOT
- EOS
- LINK
- XLM
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Videforex offers trading on 35 currency pairs through leveraged CFDs with spreads from 0.1 pips. Alternatively, traders can use binaries to speculate on upward/downward price movements with payouts up to 98%. Integrated technical analysis, economic calendars, and market news, all available within the platform, help support FX trading decisions.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- QUANT
- UNI
- SOL
- BNB
- DOGE
- XRP
- XMR
- MATIC
- USDT
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4xCube offers 60+ currency pairs with competitive trading conditions. We like that all trading strategies are permitted including scalping and hedging.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- XRP
- ETH
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ActivTrades offers its lowest fees in the forex department, with excellent spreads on majors like the EUR/USD from 0.5 pips and zero commissions, keeping pricing simple. Improvements to the ActivTrades platform, alongside access to the industry-leading MetaTrader 4, also give traders the tools they need to navigate the FX market confidently.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- DOT
- EOS
- LINK
- XLM
- NEO
- ADA
- SOL
- XRP
- BNB
- XMR
- AVAX
- DOGE
-
SimpleFX provides a comprehensive selection of around 60 currency pairs, from majors like GBP/USD to exotics like CHF/PLN. Forex trading fees are competitive, averaging 0.9 pips on EUR/USD during testing, while MetaTrader 4, available on desktop, web and mobile, was built specifically for trading currencies online.
Crypto Coins
- ADA
- APE
- ARB
- AVA
- BCH
- BNB
- DASH
- DOT
- EOS
- ETC
- ETH
- FET
- FIL
- INJ
- LNK
- LTC
- MATIC
- NEO
- SOL
- TIA
- WAVE
- XTZ
- YFI
- ZEC
-
EagleFX provides opportunities to go long or short on over 50 forex pairs from majors to exotics, with competitive spreads as low as 0.1 pips. The broker offers the leading charting software, MetaTrader 4, which delivers a host of charting tools for traders, including 9 timeframes and over 30 indicators.
Crypto Coins
- BCH
- BTC
- DASH
- EOS
- BIT
- ETP
- LTC
- BTC
- OMG
- ZEC
- USDT
- BCH
- ETP
- QTUM
- XMR
- DOT
- ETC
- IOS
- NEO
- SAN
- ZRX
- EDO
- ETH
- IOT
- NEO
- SAN
- XRP
- BTG
- EDO
- ETH
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Trade on 45+ majors, minors, crosses and exotics, with competitive pricing, ultra-fast execution and no requotes. Newer traders can access zero-commission trading. Experienced forex traders can operate with no trading restrictions and benefit from an ECN account and a VPS service.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- DSH
- ETH
- LTC
-
FXTrading clients can access 70+ forex pairs with high leverage up to 1:500, fast execution averaging 80ms, excellent liquidity and spreads from zero. A good selection of minors and exotics are available as well as all the majors. New users can start trading forex in 4 easy steps.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- XRP
- ADA
- BCH
- BNB
- DOG
- DOT
- EOS
- LTC
- XLM
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With over 190 forex spot pairs, EZ Invest outperforms many rivals in terms of access to the currency markets. Users can also choose between desktop software, a webtrader plus a solid mobile app. On the negative side, spreads aren't the tightest on entry accounts.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- XMR
- DASH
-
Trade 50+ forex pairs via the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms with leverage up to 1:500, immediate execution, deep liquidity and tight spreads.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- DSH
- ETC
- ETH
- LTC
- XMR
- ZEC
- BAT
- EOS
- IOT
- NEO
- OMG
- BNB
- XLM
- TRX
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FP Markets stands out as an excellent option for forex traders, boasting a selection of over 70 currency pairs covering a wide range of currencies, especially since expanding its choice of exotics. With average spreads of just 0.1 on the EUR/USD in its Raw account, the broker provides competitive pricing for traders.
Crypto Coins
- ADA
- BCH
- BTC
- DOG
- DOT
- EOS
- ETH
- LNK
- LTC
- RPL
- SOL
- XLM
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Trade 80+ major, minor and exotic forex pairs. This is a very competitive range of currency pairs with 50+ exotics to choose from, and traders will benefit from fast execution and support from extra features including a pip calculator. The MetaTrader 4 software was also designed for online forex trading.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- DSH
- EOS
- ETC
- ETH
- LTC
- XLM
- XMR
- XRP
- ZEC
-
Established in 2005, FXOpen is a multi-regulated broker that has attracted over 1 million traders. Designed for active trading, it provides access to a growing selection of more than 700 markets and supports high-frequency trading, scalping, and all forms of algorithmic trading using expert advisors (EAs).
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- ETC
- EOS
- DSH
- XRP
- IOT
- XMR
- NEO
-
Hantec Markets offers a limited range of 30+ forex pairs – less than most top brands, including Pepperstone with 100+. That said, market execution is rapid based on tests, and spreads are competitive starting at just 0.2 pips. This, combined with access to the popular MT4 platform with 30+ technical indicators, ensures a relatively complete trading experience for short-term currency traders.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- XRP
- LTC
- ETH
-
With 60+ currency pairs available, Dukascopy offers enough majors, minors and exotics to keep most forex traders happy. The broker also offers high leverage up to 1:100 – a good amount to see from a reputable and regulated broker. Currency traders have access to excellent software, including MT4 and JForex.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XLM
- DSH
- EOS
- TRX
- ADA
- UNI
- LNK
- MAT
- AVE
- MKR
- CMP
- ENJ
- YFI
- BAT
-
NinjaTraders supports the trading of popular currencies including the EUR/USD. The software also offers advanced features to streamline the trading experience, including complex order types like market if touched (MIT) and one cancels other (OCO).
Crypto Coins
- BTC
-
Speculate on popular currency pairs with flexible leverage up to 1:500 and zero-pip spreads in the GO Plus account. Commission-free trading is available with micro, mini and standard forex contract sizes.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- BCH
-
easyMarkets offers 60+ major and minor currency pairs but no exotics. Forex traders will appreciate the access to the industry’s leading software MT4, paired with the broker’s fixed spreads from 0.7 pips on EUR/USD, offering a degree of price certainty.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- XRP
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XLM
- ADA
- ALG
- SOL
- UNI
- DOT
- LNK
- ZEC
- OMG
- MTC
- DSH
- DOG
- XMR
- CHZ
- AVA
-
FXCM offers an average range of 40+ currency pairs, although there are no commissions and spreads are competitive from 0.78 pips for EUR/USD. The broker also offers 3 forex baskets covering USD, Yen and emerging markets benchmarks.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BTC
-
Trade 24 forex pairs via binary options. Such a small range of currency pairs is not that unusual among binary options brokers, and BinaryCent's high payouts up to 95% compensate for the lack of range.
Crypto Coins
- ZEC
- XRP
- XMR
- SAN
- OMG
- LTC
- BTC
- IOT
- ETH
- ETC
- EOS
- DSH
-
RaceOption offers 25+ major and minor currency pairs on a no-frills, web-accessible platform with 30+ indicators and built-in copy trading opportunities for a hands-off investment approach.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
-
Pepperstone offers ultra-competitive forex spreads averaging 0.12 pips on EUR/USD in the Razor account, accompanied by a diverse portfolio comprising 100+ currency pairs - an extensive selection surpassing most competitors. Additionally, Pepperstone distinguishes itself by offering three currency indices (USDX, EURX, JPYX), not commonly found among alternative platforms. Pepperstone has now won our annual 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.
Crypto Coins
- BCH
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- DASH
- ADA
- LINK
- DOGE
- EOS
- DOT
- XRP
- XLM
- XTZ
- UNI
- BNB
-
Trade on 60+ forex pairs with no commission and competitively tight spreads from 0.6 on major pairs such as EUR/USD. This is a good selection of forex pairs and excellent pricing for commission-free trading, well below the industry average.
Crypto Coins
- BCH
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
-
Fusion Markets offers an excellent selection of 90+ currency pairs, providing a range of short-term trading opportunities. It continues to excel for its ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips and exceptionally low commissions of $2.25 per side. You also get access to leading forex software in MetaTrader 4.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ADA
- ETH
- LTC
- EOS
- XLM
- DOT
- LNK
- AVAX
- SOL
- MATIC
- DOGE
- BNB
-
Focus Option offers 22 forex pairs tradeable via binary options, including a selection of majors and minors. FX pairs are also available to trade with margin on Focus Option's mobile app, which offers high leverage up to 1:50 and spreads from 1 pip.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- XRP
- USDT
- BTC
- LTC
- ADA
- AAVE
- ATOM
- DOGE
- KSM
- CRO
- THETA
- LINK
- YFI
- YCC
- MATIC
- RUNE
- SOL
- MANA
- MIOTA
- XMONEY
- XMR
- SUSHI
- BAT
-
Axi’s 70+ currency pairs is its strongest market offering and beats out rivals like AvaTrade, which offers only 50+. Combine this with an elevated MT4 offering through the NextGen add-on, and Axi remains an excellent broker for forex traders.
Crypto Coins
- BCH
- BNB
- BTC
- LTC
- OMG
- FTT
- BTC
- BCH
- DOG
- LTC
- XLM
- AAVE
- COMP
- LRC
- MKR
- SUSHI
- UNI
- BAT
- CRV
- ENJ
- LNK
- MANA
- MATIC
- SAND
- XRP
- LNK
- XRP
- KSM
- AVAX
- ETH
-
FXTM stands out with a strong selection of over 60 currency pairs, surpassing many competitors like AvaTrade. It also stands out with its six currency indices for traders aiming to diversify their forex portfolios, while the ECN account offers ultra-competitive spreads starting at 0 pips on majors, along with low commissions of just $3.50 per lot.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
-
Trade FX pairs with tight spreads & leverage.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
- SOL
- BNB
-
FXCC's key selling point is its forex trading conditions. ECN spreads come in as low as 0.0 pips during peak trading hours, while it supports a wider range of currency pairs than the majority of rivals with over 70 forex assets. Additionally, you have access to MT4, which was built specifically for forex trading and excels for its charting tools.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XMR
- ZEC
- DAS
- XRP
-
FxPro offers 70+ currency pairs but no minors and stands out with its ultra-fast execution speeds and tight spreads averaging 0.45 pips on EUR/USD. Forex traders can also build test and deploy short-term trading strategies on the industry-leading MT4 software, with expert advisors (EAs) for algo trading.
Crypto Coins
- BAT
- BCH
- BTC
- DOG
- DOT
- DSH
- EOS
- ETC
- ETH
- IOT
- LNK
- LTC
- NEO
- XLM
- XMR
- XRP
- ZEC
24-Hour Trading Markets
A wide range of popular trading brokers and websites has made it possible to trade a diverse list of assets 24 hours a day. These include:
- Foreign Exchange – Forex markets are open 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. Many popular brokers such as Pepperstone, Vantage FX, and IC Markets are available to UK traders.
- Crypto – Cryptocurrency markets never close, so you can make trades at any time of day, any day of the year. This includes crypto-based financial products, such as Spectre.ai’s digital contracts, as well as standard cryptocurrency markets.
- Synthetic Markets – Some trading brokers, such as Deriv, offer 24/7 trading on synthetic markets – proprietary, simulated markets based on real-world assets.
- OTC Trading – Another popular 24-hour product offered by companies such as binary options broker Pocket Option is OTC markets, which allow trades on a variety of securities, commodity and other assets during times when the ordinary market is closed. OTC trading takes place with a counterparty, rather than on an exchange, allowing brokers to offer it outside ordinary trading hours.
- Standard Markets – With 24/7 trading becoming more commonplace, some of the traditional markets have extended their hours to allow trading nearly round the clock. The CBOE’s options exchange, for example, allows trades on S&P 500 Index and other indices nearly 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.
Each of these methods of 24-hour trading has its own characteristics which traders should familiarise themselves with, and which we will explore in the next section.
24-Hour Forex Trading
Forex is the classic 24-hour trading instrument for a simple reason: no matter what time of day it is, there will be a currency market open somewhere in the world, whether that is in Japan or New York.
The forex trading day begins in the morning in Asia and Australasia, with the Sydney session closing at 6 am and the Tokyo market running between midnight and 9 am, UK time. The focus then switches to London, with the UK forex session open between 8 am and 4 pm BST. Finally, the New York session kicks off at British noon until 9 pm, at which point the Sydney session opens once more.
The Forex Trading Day (BST):
- Sydney: 9 pm – 6 am
- Tokyo: 12 am – 9 am
- London: 8 am – 4 pm
- New York: 12 pm – 9 pm
As a result, you will find there are three main sessions for forex trading over the course of a UK day:
- The overnight Asia-Pacific session coinciding with Sydney and Tokyo markets
- The European session that runs from British morning to afternoon
- The US session from 12 pm – 9 pm BST
This is important because certain currency pairs will trade more actively during different sessions. The GBP/USD pair will have a far higher volume during the European through US sessions, while you can expect the USD/JPY pair to be more active during the Asia-Pacific session.
Moreover, trading volume and volatility are not distributed evenly over the course of a trading day, and you can expect a much more active environment at certain times of the day. Generally, the first hours after London opens tend to have a high trading volume, which then slows during late morning until the New York market opens at midday. The overlapping hours between the British, European and US markets tend to be busy for forex trades, particularly for the GBP/USD and EUR/USD pairs.
Similar dynamics will exist for different currency pairs depending on their geographical location and the opening hours of their local forex market. It is a good idea to learn the most active markets and pairs during the 24-hour trading period you intend to be executing orders.
24-Hour Cryptocurrency Trading
Crypto markets remain open for trading 24/7 because they work on decentralised blockchain ledgers – anyone can execute a transaction on the blockchain any time they like.
Nevertheless, cryptos are still likely to mirror some of the dynamics of traditional assets, and particularly the 24-hour aspect of forex markets.
This is because individuals and institutions involved in cryptocurrency trading in different geographical regions are still likely to do their trading at roughly the same times during a standard working day. When the European and US markets wind down for the day, the Asian market gets started.
Each session will have its own pattern regarding 24-hour trading volumes and volatility, and the best play on a given market may well depend on gauging how that asset will react to the price movements of the previous session.
As a result, crypto traders should familiarise themselves with the market dynamics during the hours they trade and use that knowledge when analysing price movements and setting up trades.
Bear in mind that while many prefer to trade during periods with high trading volume driving price movements, this can cause be expensive on crypto markets where certain trades require “gas fees” – the network fee paid per transaction, which can quickly climb to hundreds of dollars during periods with high volume.
Synthetic Products
Popular brokers including Deriv have developed proprietary synthetic markets, which are designed to simulate the price movements experienced in a real market. There are no real, underlying assets at play on a synthetic market – instead, the price movements are generated algorithmically by the synthetic index brokers, meaning they can be traded at any time, 24/7.
While many traders feel synthetic markets are too random to trade on, since they are completely divorced from real-world events, some traders do say it is possible to consistently profit from them using standard technical analysis methods.
Traders who are only available to place trades at a specific time might enjoy synthetic markets since they can choose to trade with different volatility levels than those available to them on the real markets. Besides that, synthetic markets can be attractive as they give traders a chance to use instruments like CFDs at any time of day.
OTC Products
Some of the best binary options brokers, like Pocket Option, let traders speculate on the price of forex, securities and indices during standard trading hours, but also provide an over-the-counter (OTC) version of many assets that can be traded around the clock.
It is not always clear what influences price movements of the OTC assets, which differ from the actual market price, and some traders complain that the price movements are too random to consistently make profitable trades. However, Pocket Option says OTC quotes are provided directly by international banks, liquidity providers and market makers, and the payout is generally considerably higher than exchange-traded assets. Algorithmic strategies can also be used.
Standard Markets
Standard financial markets are becoming more flexible about trading times as online investing becomes ever more popular. Some exchanges now allow after-market or pre-market trading, in some cases allowing customers to trade certain securities and indices 24 hours per day.
- The CBOE launched a 24/5 global trading service in November 2021, allowing the trade of S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Volatility Index (VIX) options nearly 24 hours per day.
- Some trading brokers offer an ever-growing list of securities that can be traded 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.
- Popular brokers such as IG, City Index and CMC Markets support 24-hour trades on indices 5 or more days per week.
24-Hour Trading Strategies
With such a wide range of products, assets and markets available to trade day and night, the scope of strategies that could be used in 24-hour trading is nearly endless.
One of the most important things to consider is the time you make your trade and the phase the market is in. Since traders often seek out 24-hour trading because of time constraints preventing them from trading during their local market’s normal opening hours, this can be an especially important point.
The following list provides traders with a “24-hour trading clock”, showing major exchanges’ trading hours in the British time zone:
Exchange Trading Hours (GMT)
- London Stock Exchange (LSE): 08:00–16:30
- Euronext: 08:00–16:30
- Nasdaq: 14:30–21:00
- New York Stock Exchange (NYSE): 14:30–21:00
- Australian Securities Exchange (ASX): 00:00–06:00
- Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE): 00:00–06:00
- Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSX): 01:30–07:00
- Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE): 01:30–07:00
Here are some features to note about different market phases for 24-hour trading:
Market Open
The first period after the market opens tends to be busy as a flurry of buy and sell orders come in at once. This is a good time for strategies that aim to take advantage of price moving out of a range, such as breakout or straddle strategies.
End-Of-Day Trading
Some traders prefer the final period before the market closes as they feel that as the market winds down there is less random noise and, with lower trading volumes, there could be gaps in the market or other opportunities to exploit. Prices of market data and other tools also tend to be cheaper during this period.
After-Hours & Pre-Market Trading
When you trade securities, indices and commodities outside normal trading hours, you will face completely different market conditions due to the lower volume and liquidity as far fewer people are making trades. This heightens risk, and it can also lead to a much wider spread than during normal hours.
Finally, watch out for after-hours news events that may cause a sudden spike in volume and thus an extreme price movement.
Trading Orders & Automated Trading
While the specific hours you are able to devote to trading may be limited, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can only make trades during those hours.
Many traders use after-hours to study assets’ fundamentals and plan their trades for the following day. These trades may be scheduled by placing an order that will automatically be filled when the asset reaches a specified price level.
Alternatively, automated trading bots can be programmed to trade according to user-defined parameters throughout the day without the trader being present at all.
Comparing 24-Hour Trading Brokers
As there is such a diverse variety of products, markets and styles for trading 24 hours, the broker you choose will depend on your specific needs.
Forex Brokers
Since the forex markets have traditionally worked 24/5, there is a wide selection of forex brokers available to UK traders.
For most traders, the most important things to look out for when selecting a forex broker are the spread, pricing structure for additional fees, and regulation.
Brokers like CMC Markets are FCA-regulated brokers and trusted by large customer bases, and they are also known for their competitive spreads and pricing structures. Some other reputable brokers such as Pepperstone offer a range of assets to trade, including forex but also indices, commodities and shares.
Binary Options Brokers
Many binary options brokers offer trading on 24-hour markets such as forex and crypto, and some like Pocket Option allow traders to speculate both on stock or commodities markets during opening hours and to make 24/7 trades on OTC or synthetic markets.
It should be easy to find the trading schedule for different assets offered by the broker, as can be seen from the screenshot from Pocket Option below.
Pocket Option Trading Schedule
Another thing to keep in mind when trading binary options is that the payout levels are likely to change depending on the time of day it is. Try to access a chart showing the payouts you can expect at different times of the day, as with the below page from the digital contracts broker Spectre.ai:
Spectre.ai Payouts
Trading Platforms
Another consideration when choosing your 24-hour trading broker is its support for different trading platforms. This can be especially important for traders with time constraints, as it will be easier to research, set up and execute scheduled trades using a more powerful platform, not to mention support for automated trading bots and algorithms.
While many 24/7 brokers get traders on board their proprietary platforms when they sign up, you may wish to look for one that supports third-party software, such as MetaTrader’s MT4 or MT5, if you are familiar with these platforms.
Bottom Line On 24-Hour Trading
It is not easy fitting a trading side-hustle into your daily routine if you already work full-time, but fortunately there are many ways to access lucrative markets, 24/7. Traders can either choose a stock exchange that is open and busy during the period they can trade, or go for a 24-hour asset class like forex and crypto or a product such as binary options that is available round the clock. Trading orders and automated robots provide other options for traders who want to deal with a specific asset during hours they would otherwise be unavailable.
Use our list of the best brokers with 24-hour trading to get started.
FAQ
What Can I Trade 24 Hours A Day?
No matter what time you are awake and free to log into your trading account, you can be sure profitable markets are available. Forex markets are open 24/5 and cryptocurrencies can be traded 24/7, though you will still need to take into account the prevailing market conditions at the specific times you trade.
Trading volumes for cryptocurrency will tend to rise and fall to the same schedule as other major markets, but you can check Coinbase, Binance or your chosen exchange for the 24-hour data on bitcoin, ether, dogecoin or whichever crypto asset you prefer.
Otherwise, traders can access certain stocks and indices 24 hours a day from some brokers, or they could try trading a synthetic market.
Are Any Stock Exchanges Open 24/7?
Stock exchanges usually operate on a schedule according to the standard working day in their geographic location, but there are still some ways to trade stocks round the clock. Some brokers, including Interactive Brokers and Charles Schwab allow traders to access a selection of assets including SPX-listed stocks during extended pre-market and after-market hours, in some cases allowing 24-hour trading.
Where Can I Trade 24 Hours?
Thanks to the internet, traders around the world should be able to access some form of 24-hour trading as long as they have a connection. With the right broker, you will be able to trade cryptocurrencies 24/7, forex 24/5, and you will be able to access after-hours trading on selected indices such as VIX and other assets including SPY and other ETFs, stocks and commodities.
Can I Trade Stocks 24 Hours A Day?
It is possible to trade some stocks effectively 24 hours a day with certain brokers. However, bear in mind that the market dynamics will be very different during after- and pre-market hours, as volumes will be much lower.
Is Forex Open 24-Hour?
Forex markets are generally open 24 hours per day throughout the 5 days of the working week. With a good trading platform or trading app, anyone can trade the currency pairs of their choice, at any time of the day.
What Is The Best Time For A 24-Hour Trader To Execute Trades?
If you are available and able to trade 24 hours a day, whether that is because you have a free schedule and are willing to lose sleep to execute a trade or because you have mastered automated trading, you will have the advantage of being able to pick and choose the asset and market time you wish to trade.
The best time to trade depends on the context, with certain assets and markets tending to be busier during specific times in the day. In forex, the busiest periods tend to be when two exchanges from a particular currency pair are both working at the same time. So, the GBP/USD pair will have a higher trading volume at around midday UK time, when exchanges in London and New York are both active.
Volumes of other assets such as cryptocurrencies will also tend to ebb and flow as different time zones join the market or finish trading for the day. However, keep in mind that a major news event – and in particular, an unexpected one – will often drive up the trading volume during irregular hours.