When is the Best Time to Trade Crypto in Australia?
The best times to trade crypto in Australia are typically between 10 PM and 2 AM AEDT when US markets are most active, and again from 6 PM to 10 PM AEDT during European trading hours, as these windows provide the highest liquidity and most reliable price movements.
The 24/7 nature of crypto markets creates an illusion of constant opportunity, but Australian traders face a unique challenge—being in a time zone that's largely opposite to the major financial centers where most institutional crypto activity occurs. This means that peak liquidity often coincides with late evening or early morning hours in Australia, creating a strategic timing consideration that local traders need to address.
In this piece, I'll examine Australia's crypto trading environment, analyze how global market hours affect local trading conditions, identify the most favorable windows for Australian traders based on historical data, and explore how platforms like VALR can help navigate these timing considerations effectively.
The State of the Australian Crypto Market
Cryptocurrency adoption has officially taken off in Australia. With around 30-32% of Australian adults owning or having owned crypto assets, the country is one of the top-adopting developed nations in the world. This high engagement is supported by strong awareness (95% of Australians know of at least one cryptocurrency) with 70% of crypto investors holding Bitcoin.
The market itself is substantial, valued at approximately $49.9 billion in 2024 and projected to more than double by 2033. This growth reflects a maturing ecosystem, where the narrative is shifting from pure speculation towards long-term wealth building and institutional use.
Australia's regulatory landscape is also changing. While considered balanced, with crypto largely governed by existing financial, AML/CTF, and tax laws, the government is advancing new legislation. This includes a formal CASSPr licensing regime for exchanges and greater oversight from ASIC and AUSTRAC to enhance consumer protection, creating a more structured and secure environment for traders and investors.
How Do Global Market Hours Impact Australian Crypto Trading?
Although decentralised, crypto markets are driven by the 24-hour cycle of human activity across major financial hubs. For Australian traders operating on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), the most significant influences come from the Asia-Pacific and US market hours.
The Asia-Pacific session (roughly 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM AEST) is Australia's primary active window. Trading during these hours aligns with activity in regional powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. This period generally sees stable liquidity and moderate volatility, making it well-suited for planning trades and executing larger orders with minimal price slippage.
In contrast, the US session (roughly 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM AEST) is the most volatile period globally. It is driven by Wall Street capital flows, major institutional activity, and the release of key US macroeconomic data. For Australian traders, this means the most significant price moves often happen overnight, highlighting the need for careful risk management and planning around these influential hours.
What Is the Best Time to Trade Crypto in Australia?
Based on historical data and volatility patterns, the best times to trade crypto in Australia are when global market liquidity and activity are at their peak. These windows often offer tighter spreads and more significant price movements.
The most opportunistic trading windows for Australians (in AEST) are:
1. 11:00 PM – 2:00 AM AEST (US Market Open)
This is the period of highest global volatility and liquidity, driven by the overlap of the late London session and the New York market open. Major BTC/USD price moves frequently occur during this window, often triggered by US economic news. It is ideal for active day traders and scalpers, but its overnight timing requires careful planning or the use of automated trading tools.
2. 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM AEST (Post-US Close & Asia Warm-up)
As Australian traders wake up, the market is digesting overnight moves from the US session. This window is excellent for reviewing positions, reacting to new trends, and planning fresh setups for the day ahead before the Asia-Pacific markets fully open.
3. 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM AEST (Asia-Pacific Open)
This session offers a more stable and lower-volatility environment. It is well-suited for executing large trades with less risk of slippage or for making calmer, more planned entries into swing trading positions during local daytime hours.
Why Weekend Trading Might Be Riskier for Australian Traders
Weekend crypto trading presents unique risks, primarily due to a sharp drop in global liquidity. With most institutional traders and market makers in Europe and the US offline, order books become thinner. This means even relatively small trades can cause larger, more erratic price swings, making the market choppy and unpredictable.
For Australian traders, this can translate to wider bid-ask spreads on exchanges and less reliable price execution. Without the anchoring effect of institutional volume and major news events that occur during the week, weekend price action can be less driven by fundamentals, increasing the risk of fakeouts or unjustified price movements. It's wise to approach weekend trading with caution, potentially using smaller position sizes and tighter risk management.
Deposit Australian Dollars (AUD) on VALR
To effectively time your trades, observing market activity in real-time is essential. VALR's regulated and secure crypto exchange provides all the tools you need to monitor the markets and make informed decisions.
On VALR, you get access to live price charts, a detailed order book to assess market depth, and full trade history for each listed pair. Tools like the 24-hour volume indicator offer a quick view of current trading activity, making it easier to spot periods of strong liquidity.
Furthermore, VALR makes it easy for Australian users to get started. You can fund your account by depositing Australian Dollars (AUD) directly via our integration with MoonPay. This service allows you to use your card to purchase USDC, which is then credited to your VALR wallet, ready for you to start trading. Follow these simple steps to fund your VALR account with AUD via MoonPay:
Sign in to your VALR account (if you don't have a VALR account, you can create one here).
Navigate to the "Deposit Funds" page.
Pick AUD as your fiat currency of choice.
Select "Card via MoonPay Account" as your funding option
Proceed to MoonPay to initiate your USDC purchase
Complete the deposit by following MoonPay's on-screen instructions
Once the transaction is finalised, the purchased USDC will appear in your VALR wallet
Ready to gain seamless exposure to crypto in Australia?
Risk Disclosure
Trading or investing in crypto assets is risky and may result in the loss of capital as the value may fluctuate. VALR (Pty) Ltd is a licensed financial services provider (FSP #53308).
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are the personal views of the author and should not form the basis for making investment decisions, nor be construed as a recommendation or advice to engage in investment transactions.