Forex Market Hours At Exness

The forex market operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, but different currency pairs have varying levels of activity depending on market sessions. Knowing the optimal trading hours helps you take advantage of market liquidity and volatility.
Weekday Trading Sessions
Exness provides access to the forex market during all major trading sessions throughout the week. The market is divided into four key sessions: the Sydney, Tokyo, London, and New York sessions.
- Sydney Session: 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM SAST
- Tokyo Session: 3:00 AM – 12:00 PM SAST
- London Session: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM SAST
- New York Session: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM SAST
The best times to trade are typically when two sessions overlap, such as during the London-New York overlap, offering high liquidity.
Weekend Trading Availability
Exness doesn’t allow for forex trading over the weekend; however, certain instruments like cryptocurrencies may remain open for trading. The market closes on Friday at 1:00 AM SAST (New York close) and reopens on Monday at 10:00 PM SAST.
- Forex Market: Closed for the weekend (from Friday 1:00 AM SAST to Monday 10:00 PM SAST)
- Cryptocurrencies: Available for weekend trading
GMT vs South African Time Comparison
To help South African traders convert Exness market hours more easily, it’s crucial to understand the difference between GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and SAST (South African Standard Time).
- GMT vs SAST: SAST is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Example: London opens at 8:00 AM GMT, which is 10:00 AM SAST.
Exness Trading Hours for Major Instruments
Exness offers various instruments, each with its own trading hours. This section will focus on some of the most popular instruments: forex pairs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
Forex Pairs (EUR/USD, USD/ZAR, etc.)
The forex market is open 24 hours a day during weekdays, but liquidity can vary depending on the pair and trading session. The EUR/USD and USD/ZAR are the most traded pairs and are most active during the London and New York sessions.
- Trading Hours for Major Pairs: 24/5
- EUR/USD & USD/ZAR: Best trading times are during the London-New York overlap.
Commodities (Gold, Oil)
Commodities like gold and oil are highly sought after by traders and have specific trading hours due to their global market influences. The trading for these commodities follows the same hours as the New York session.
- Gold (XAU/USD): 24/5
- Oil (WTI Crude): 24/5

Indices (NAS100, GER30, US30)
Stock indices such as NASDAQ 100, GER30, and US30 also have specific hours. They are linked to stock market hours in the US, Germany, and other financial centers. Trading hours for indices usually follow the NYSE and European exchanges.
- NAS100: 24/5 (with peak hours during the New York session)
- GER30: 24/5 (active mostly during the European session)
- US30: 24/5 (best traded during the US market session)
Cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH)
Cryptocurrency trading operates 24/7, which is one of the key features of digital asset trading. On Exness, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are available for trading any time during the week, including weekends.
- Bitcoin (BTC): 24/7
- Ethereum (ETH): 24/7

South Africa Public Holidays and Trading Impact
Public holidays in South Africa may not directly affect Exness’s trading hours since the platform operates globally. However, it’s important for traders to know that reduced market activity or volatility may occur around South African public holidays. Also, liquidity can be lower during holidays, especially during local market closures.
- Local Holidays: Public holidays may cause lower liquidity, particularly in South African stocks or commodities.
- Global Holidays: International holidays, like Christmas or New Year, can affect forex market activity.
How Trading Hours Affect Your Strategy
Understanding the trading hours is crucial for developing an effective trading strategy. Market liquidity, volatility, and trading volume can significantly impact your trades. Here’s how you can align your trading strategy with Exness’s trading hours:
- Trading During Market Open: Optimal for active trades and quick execution.
- During Session Overlaps: The highest liquidity is typically during the London-New York overlap.
- Avoid Trading on Weekends (Forex): Forex markets are closed on weekends, so planning trades around these hours can help avoid missing opportunities.
FAQs
What are the trading hours for Exness in South Africa?
Exness operates 24 hours a day, five days a week. The forex market is available for trading from Monday 10:00 PM SAST (after the New York close) until Friday 1:00 AM SAST. However, cryptocurrency trading is available 24/7.
Can I trade on weekends with Exness?
No, Exness does not offer forex trading over the weekend. However, cryptocurrency trading is available 24/7, including weekends.
What time does the forex market open and close on Exness?
The forex market on Exness opens on Monday at 10:00 PM SAST (after the New York session closes) and closes on Friday at 1:00 AM SAST.
Does Exness follow GMT or South African time?
Exness operates in GMT for market hours. However, South African traders can convert these times to SAST, which is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Do public holidays affect Exness trading hours?
Public holidays in South Africa or globally do not directly affect Exness’s trading hours. However, market liquidity may be affected, especially in certain instruments during public holidays.