Introduction
The Calm Before the Storm
Every trading day begins with accumulation,
a quiet period where Smart Money builds liquidity before the real move.
That phase is known as the Asian Range.
It’s not where profits are made, it’s where positions are built.
Smart Money uses this session to collect orders, trap liquidity, and prepare for high-volume manipulation during the London and New York sessions.
Once you understand the Asian Range,
you’ll see that what looks like “nothing happening” is actually the market setting its trap.
What Is the Asian Range?
The Definition:
📊 The Asian Range is the period of sideways price movement that typically occurs between
00:00 and 06:00 London Time (GMT).
It’s characterised by low volatility, tight consolidation, and liquidity buildup,
forming clear highs and lows that act as magnets for later sessions.
💬 In simple terms:
The Asian Range is the market’s preparation phase,
where Smart Money builds liquidity before launching the real move.
Why the Asian Range Matters
The Asian session is where liquidity is engineered.
It gives Smart Money time to:
- Build stop clusters above and below the range.
- Accumulate or distribute positions quietly.
- Prepare for manipulation and expansion during high-volume sessions.
💡 Most of the day’s directional move begins with a sweep of the Asian Range.
How the Asian Range Forms
1️⃣ After New York Close (low volatility): market consolidates.
2️⃣ Liquidity Builds: equal highs/lows form.
3️⃣ Range Tightens: volume decreases, price moves sideways.
4️⃣ Liquidity Pools Established: clear buy-side and sell-side targets are created.
5️⃣ London Open: price sweeps one side of the range.
6️⃣ New York Session: often expands in the opposite direction.
💬 The Asian Range builds the fuel, London and New York light the match.
How the Asian Range Fits Into the Daily Model
The daily model follows a clear sequence:
1️⃣ Asian Range: liquidity buildup.
2️⃣ London Session: manipulation (liquidity sweep).
3️⃣ New York Session: expansion and continuation.
Each day’s movement follows this rhythm.
Once you understand it, you stop trading randomness, and start trading timing.
How to Mark the Asian Range on TradingView
1️⃣ Switch to the 15-minute timeframe (M15) for clarity.
2️⃣ Identify price action between 00:00–06:00 London Time (GMT).
3️⃣ Draw a rectangle from the session’s high to its low.
4️⃣ Label it: “Asian Range.”
5️⃣ Extend the box forward into the London and New York sessions.
6️⃣ Watch how price interacts, most often, one side will be swept before expansion.
💬 Pro Tip:
Use the Session Range Indicator or manually mark 00:00–06:00 GMT for consistency.
Asian Range Example
Bullish Scenario:
- Price consolidates during the Asian session (tight range).
- London Open sweeps Sell-Side Liquidity (SSL) below the range.
- Smart Money enters long positions at discounted pricing.
Price displaces upward, breaking through Asian Highs during London continuation.
📍 That move wasn’t random, it was engineered from the range.
Asian Range Example
Bullish Scenario:
- Price consolidates during the Asian session (tight range).
- London Open sweeps Sell-Side Liquidity (SSL) below the range.
- Smart Money enters long positions at discounted pricing.
📍 Again, liquidity first, expansion second.
The Do Nots
Common Mistakes Traders Make
❌ Trading inside the range
→ The Asian session lacks volume, moves are often fake and short-lived.
❌ Ignoring time context
→ Only mark the range between 00:00–06:00 GMT. Anything else isn’t the true session.
❌ Assuming the first breakout is genuine
→ The first sweep usually targets liquidity, not continuation.
Final Thoughts
The Asian Range is where the market whispers before it shouts.
It’s where Smart Money lays the foundation for the day’s manipulation and expansion.
Learn to identify it.
Wait for it to build.
Then trade the sweep, not the noise.