Have you ever experienced this? During the day, staring at the market chart until your eyes nearly can't stay open, yet the market remains calm; but late at night, mobile notifications flood in—sharp rises or falls always seem to happen while you're asleep.

This is no coincidence. The global crypto market operates 24/7, but the actual capital and traders driving prices rotate strictly according to time zones. Understanding this "three-shift" mechanism can help you avoid many pitfalls.

**A True Reflection of the Asian Session**

From 6 am to 3 pm (UTC+8), this period is dominated by retail traders, high-frequency traders, and some Asian institutions. What are the characteristics? Mostly short-term strategies, frequent arbitrage. Market movements tend to narrow in range, with unclear direction, due to a lack of major narratives driving the trend. You’ll notice that when prices rise slightly, someone quickly sells—mainly retail traders taking profits quickly. That's also why resistance during the Asian session is usually more obvious.

**The Entry of European Funds**

From 3 pm to 11 pm, European traditional financial institutions, market makers, and family offices become active. Liquidity significantly increases, and volatility also rises. European funds tend to be more composed; their actions during this phase are often preparations for the upcoming North American session—rebalancing portfolios and strategic positioning are typically done now.

This explains why your late-night hours are often lively. When major North American funds enter the market, it usually signals a stronger directional move. Mastering the time zone patterns means understanding the market’s breathing rhythm.