Will the time-sharing chart open higher the next day after the end of the day? How to deal with it?

The time-sharing chart in crypto resets daily at UTC midnight, showing the price at the start of the new day, which may open higher or lower based on 24/7 market activity.

Jun 20, 2025 at 01:43 pm

Understanding the Time-Sharing Chart in Cryptocurrency Trading

The time-sharing chart is a real-time chart used by traders to track price movements of a cryptocurrency throughout a single trading day. Unlike traditional candlestick charts that show data over intervals (like 1-hour or 4-hour candles), the time-sharing chart updates every few seconds and reflects all trades executed during the day. This type of chart is particularly useful for intraday traders who aim to capture small price fluctuations.

One common question among traders is: will the time-sharing chart open higher the next day after the end of the day?

To understand this, it's important to realize how markets operate. In traditional stock markets, there are fixed opening and closing times. However, in the cryptocurrency market, which operates 24/7, there isn't a formal "opening" or "closing" like in the stock world. Still, many platforms use a daily cutoff point (often UTC midnight) to reset certain metrics, including the time-sharing chart.

Therefore, while the crypto market never truly closes, the next day’s time-sharing chart will start from the current price at the beginning of the new UTC day, regardless of whether it is higher or lower than the previous day’s close.

What Determines Whether the Next Day Opens Higher?

Whether the next day opens higher depends on several factors:

• Market sentiment: If positive news or developments occur overnight, the price may rise when the new chart begins.
• Global events: Geopolitical tensions, regulatory announcements, or macroeconomic changes can influence prices.
• Trading volume and liquidity: A surge in buying pressure during off-peak hours can push prices up before the next chart starts.
• Automated trading systems: Algorithms and bots can execute trades continuously, affecting price even when human traders are inactive.

So, if the price rises between the end of one UTC day and the start of the next, the new time-sharing chart will begin at a higher level. Conversely, if the price drops, the chart will open lower.

How to Interpret the Gap Between Closing and Opening Prices

In traditional markets, a gap occurs when the opening price differs significantly from the previous day’s closing price. In crypto, since the market doesn’t close, these gaps are more about perception based on the charting software’s settings.

Traders often notice what appears to be a gap up or gap down on their time-sharing chart due to the way the chart resets at midnight UTC. For example, if the price was $30,000 at the end of the UTC day and jumps to $30,500 by the start of the new UTC day, the chart will visually reflect a gap up.

This phenomenon does not indicate a sudden jump in value caused by a market closure, but rather continuous price movement across a time zone boundary in the charting interface.

Strategies to Handle Price Gaps in Time-Sharing Charts

Here are some practical steps you can take when dealing with apparent gaps:

• Monitor global news and events: Stay updated on developments that could affect the market overnight.
• Use limit orders strategically: Set buy or sell limits to manage entries and exits around potential gaps.
• Review extended-hour trading activity: Many exchanges provide historical trade data that includes off-peak hours.
• Adjust your chart timezone: Some platforms allow changing the chart’s timezone, which may reduce perceived gaps.
• Avoid placing market orders just before or after midnight UTC: These orders might get executed at unexpected prices due to volatility.

By understanding that the market never truly closes, traders can better interpret what appear to be gaps and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Using Technical Analysis Around Daily Chart Resets

Technical analysis tools such as support and resistance levels, trendlines, and moving averages remain valid across daily resets. However, traders should note that some indicators may reset or recalculate based on the new chart period.

For instance:

• Moving averages will continue to update based on new price data.
• Volume-based indicators may reset each day, so cumulative volume analysis should be done using longer-term charts.
• Fibonacci retracement levels drawn on a daily chart remain relevant unless manually removed.

It’s essential to keep a broader timeframe chart open alongside the time-sharing chart to maintain context and avoid misinterpreting short-term movements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a real opening price in cryptocurrency markets?

A: While crypto markets never close, most platforms define the daily opening price as the first recorded trade at the start of a new UTC day. This is used for charting and statistical purposes.

Q: Can I set my chart to a different timezone to avoid gaps?

A: Yes, many trading platforms allow users to change the chart timezone. Doing so may help align the visual representation with personal trading hours and reduce the appearance of gaps.

Q: Why do I sometimes see large price swings right after the chart resets?

A: These swings often result from overnight trading activity that accumulates while most traders are inactive. When the new chart begins, the price reflects all transactions that occurred during that time.

Q: Do gaps in crypto charts offer reliable trading opportunities?

A: Not necessarily. Since the market never closes, gaps are not caused by information shocks during downtime. Therefore, they may not behave the same way as gaps in traditional markets and should be approached with caution.