When is the Best Time to Trade Crypto in Pakistan?
The best times to trade crypto in Pakistan are typically between 6 PM and 10 PM PKT, during the Europe–US market overlap when global liquidity is at its peak. A secondary strong window is 12 PM to 3 PM PKT, aligning with the European market open. These periods generally offer tighter spreads, stronger price movements, and more predictable volatility compared to lower-volume hours.
Pakistan’s position relative to major financial hubs gives traders access to high-activity sessions without needing to stay awake overnight. Because the most influential crypto price action still comes from Europe and the US, understanding these liquidity windows is essential for traders who want to optimize execution instead of placing trades during thin, inefficient markets.
In this piece, I’ll break down Pakistan’s crypto trading landscape, outline the key global market overlaps that matter for Pakistan-based traders, analyze intraday volatility patterns, and show how platforms like VALR can help Pakistani traders take advantage of these high-volume trading windows while avoiding the risks that come with low-liquidity environments.
When Can You Trade Crypto in Pakistan?
One of crypto's biggest draws is its 24/7/365 availability. You can trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other crypto assets at any time of day or night in Pakistan. However, just because the market is always open doesn't mean activity is evenly distributed.
With the increasing institutional adoption of crypto assets, crypto trading volumes often mirror the activity of traditional financial markets. As most professional traders don't stay up all night, the most active cryptocurrency trading times in Pakistan tend to coincide with the European and US trading hours. This period sees a surge in participation, liquidity, and significant price movements.
Market Overlaps in Crypto and How They Affect Liquidity
Although crypto markets are decentralised, trading activity is driven by human behaviour - especially the schedules of institutional traders and high-volume participants in major financial hubs. When two or more of these regions are active simultaneously, it creates peak trading conditions. This overlap leads to more active traders, higher trading volumes, tighter bid-ask spreads, and faster trade execution with lower slippage.
For Pakistan-based traders, the most important overlaps are with European and US markets.
| Time (PKT Time) | Markets Active | Effect on Crypto Liquidity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 PM – 6 PM | UK + Europe | Moderate-High Liquidity: EU macro news and rising momentum. |
| 6 PM – 9:30 PM | UK + Europe + US | Peak Liquidity: The most active and liquid overlap globally. |
| 9:30 PM – 2 AM | US Market Only | High Liquidity: Activity continues, but less than overlap hours. |
The window between 6 PM and 10 PM Pakistan time represents the period of peak global liquidity. During these hours, institutional traders in both Europe and US are active, major macroeconomic announcements from the US (like inflation or jobs data) are often released, and derivatives markets see surges in volume. This results in the deepest order books and the best execution conditions of the day.
What Is the Best Time to Trade Crypto in Pakistan?
Based on liquidity patterns and volatility, the best times to trade crypto in Pakistan are when major financial markets overlap, as this is when institutional participants are most active. These windows typically offer the tightest spreads and greatest opportunities for price movement.
Here's a breakdown of the top crypto trading windows for Pakistan traders:
6 PM – 10 PM PKT (UK–US–EU Overlap)
This is widely considered the best time to trade. With London, Frankfurt, and New York open, this window experiences the highest trading volume and deepest liquidity of the day. It's an ideal time for day traders, scalpers, and anyone executing large trades, as the tight bid-ask spreads minimise costs. Volatility often spikes during this period, especially around 1:30 PM when US economic data is frequently released.
12 PM – 3 PM PKT (UK – Europe Early Session)
This period offers a strong start to the trading day. As UK and European markets open, momentum from the overnight Asian sessions carries over, and traders react to any new macroeconomic data from the EU. This window sees decent volume and is ideal for setting up day trades and catching early trends.
10 PM – 1 AM PKT (Asia Opens)
As Tokyo, Hong Kong, and other Asian markets begin their day, volatility can pick up. While liquidity is generally lower than during the UK-US overlap, this window can be ideal for swing traders or those looking to act on Asia-specific news catalysts that can drive significant price swings.
It's also wise to be aware of times that are generally best to avoid due to thin liquidity and unpredictable price action, such as late-night hours (e.g., 3 AM – 6 AM PKT), Saturday afternoons into Sunday mornings, and days when both UK and US markets are closed for bank holidays.
Should You Trade Crypto During Market Hours or During After-Hours?
Trading during high-volume periods (active market hours) versus low-volume periods (after-hours and weekends) presents different opportunities and risks. High-volume trading offers better liquidity and more reliable price moves, while low-volume periods might offer strategic entry points but come with wider spreads and higher risks of manipulation.
Here's a summary of the pros and cons:
Trading Volume Comparison
| High-Volume Trading (e.g., Market Overlaps) |
Low-Volume Trading (e.g., Weekends, Late Nights) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Pros |
Easier to enter/exit positions with less slippage. Tighter bid-ask spreads, reducing trading costs. Price moves are often backed by volume and more reliable. Increased volatility can create more trading opportunities. |
Potential for strategic entry/accumulation. Calmer market with fewer erratic price swings. Less competition from other active traders. May reveal undervalued assets overlooked by the crowd. |
| Cons |
High volatility can lead to rapid losses if not managed. Markets can overreact to news and headlines. Sharp, unexpected price reversals can occur. |
Lower liquidity leads to wider spreads and higher slippage. Technical signals may be less reliable due to thin trading. Increased risk of price manipulation by larger players. |
Keep Track of Pakistan Crypto Trading Hours With VALR
To effectively time your trades, it's essential to observe market activity in real-time. VALR's professional trading interface provides all the tools you need to monitor the markets and make informed decisions. On our platform, you can access real-time price charts, view order book depth to gauge supply and demand, and analyse the trade history for any listed pair. Features like the 24-hour volume indicator give you a clear snapshot of recent market activity, helping you identify high-liquidity periods.
By combining the insights from this guide with the powerful tools available on VALR, you can develop a trading schedule that aligns with your strategy and the natural rhythm of the global crypto market. This way, you can determine the best time to trade crypto in Pakistan for your strategies.
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.