What is the best day of the week to buy Bitcoin? – Data-Driven Insights
If you’ve ever asked yourself what is the best day of the week to buy Bitcoin, you’re not alone. Many traders and crypto investors are constantly seeking patterns and edges in the volatile world of cryptocurrencies. One frequently debated idea is that certain days of the week may offer better buying opportunities than others.
In this guide, we answer that exact question — backed by historical data — and show which day of the week has provided the strongest returns for Bitcoin over the long run.
Let’s dive into the data and uncover the hidden patterns in Bitcoin’s daily performance.
Related reading: –Holiday trading strategy for Bitcoin
The Best Day to Buy Bitcoin: Data Speaks Clearly
To uncover the truth, we analyzed the historical performance of Bitcoin from the beginning of 2014 up to today. We measured the return from the close of one trading day to the close of the next, giving a clean and consistent view of daily returns across each weekday.
Here is the average return per day of the week:
| Day | Average Daily Return (%) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 0.51 |
| Tuesday | 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0.26 |
| Thursday | 0.07 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.20 |
| Sunday | 0.04 |
As shown above, Monday stands out as the clear winner with an average daily return of 0.51%. This means that buying Bitcoin at the close on Sunday and holding it until the close on Monday has historically been the most profitable 24-hour period.
Why Is Monday the Best Day to Buy Bitcoin?
This anomaly has often been referred to as part of the “Weekend Effect” — a well-documented phenomenon in both stock and crypto markets. The theory is that traders digest news and events over the weekend, and by Monday, market reactions are triggered, pushing prices upward.
Several potential reasons support this:
- Lower liquidity on weekends: Crypto markets operate 24/7, but fewer traders participate during weekends, leading to sluggish or erratic price action.
- Institutional activity resumes on Monday: When professional investors return on Monday, their buying may drive up prices.
- Retail psychology: Many retail traders and investors tend to act after the weekend when they have more time to analyze the market.
While the exact cause is hard to pinpoint, the pattern has been consistent for over a decade.
How to Use This Data in Practice
Knowing the best day of the week to buy Bitcoin isn’t just an interesting statistic — it can inform actual trading and investment strategies.
Here are three key takeaways:
- Timing matters: Even in a long-term investment like Bitcoin, short-term timing can influence your returns.
- Buy Sunday evening (UTC time): Since the daily return is measured from close to close, entering the market late Sunday aligns you with Monday’s historically strong gains.
- Avoid Thursday entries: Historically, Thursday has shown the weakest performance, averaging only 0.07% — barely positive.
This kind of Bitcoin day-of-week analysis is often used by algorithmic traders to build rules-based strategies.
Are Some Days Better Than Others for Holding Bitcoin?
Beyond buying, some days offer better performance just for holding. While Monday leads in returns, Wednesdays and Fridays also show relatively strong average returns:
- Wednesday: +0.26%
- Friday: +0.25%
These may be ideal days to hold — or avoid selling — if you’re planning short-term exits. Conversely, if you’re looking to rebalance your crypto portfolio, doing so mid-week might yield better outcomes than early or late week.
What About Saturdays and Sundays?
Despite crypto trading 24/7, weekend returns are surprisingly weak. Sunday in particular offers just +0.04%, making it the least favorable day for gains.
Interestingly, this contrasts with some other asset classes where weekend gaps or closures affect behavior. Bitcoin’s price, though fluid, may reflect lower trading volume and investor interest during off-hours, causing weaker trends.
Surprising Twist: Bitcoin Performs Better Early in the Week
What may surprise many is that early-week returns consistently outperform the rest of the week. In fact, if you simply divide the week in two:
- Monday–Wednesday: +0.87% combined
- Thursday–Sunday: +0.56% combined
This pattern isn’t just noise — it highlights a potential psychological or behavioral pattern across market participants.
If you’re dollar-cost averaging into Bitcoin, consider skewing your purchases earlier in the week.
Can This Pattern Change Over Time?
Yes. Just like any market anomaly, the best day of the week to buy Bitcoin may evolve as more traders recognize and act on the pattern. Crypto markets are young and heavily influenced by narratives, sentiment, and macroeconomic factors.
What’s worked historically doesn’t guarantee future performance — but it’s still a statistically sound edge worth knowing.
A good rule of thumb: track your own entries and see how they align with these findings over time.
Could This Be a Sign of Market Manipulation?
Some skeptics might ask: if Monday performs so well, is this manipulated? It’s a fair question.
But it’s more likely the result of a combination of:
- Liquidity cycles
- Institutional flow patterns
- Retail buying behavior
There’s no clear evidence of artificial pumping. Instead, it’s a repeatable, data-driven result that holds across a large sample size.
Real-World Application: Is It Worth Adjusting Your Buying Habits?
If you invest in Bitcoin regularly or trade it actively, adjusting your timing could provide an incremental edge. Even a half percent gain per week adds up over months and years.
Here’s what savvy investors might do:
- Buy weekly on Sunday night
- Set recurring purchases during late Sunday hours
- Refrain from selling on Mondays and Wednesdays
For those running crypto strategies using bots or algorithmic rules, this weekday pattern can be integrated into entry filters.
How Does This Compare to Stocks or Other Assets?
Interestingly, similar day-of-week anomalies exist in stock markets, too. For example:
- U.S. equities tend to underperform on Mondays (opposite of Bitcoin!)
- Gold often shows Friday strength due to pre-weekend hedging
- Forex often sees Monday lulls and Friday volatility
This contrast suggests that Bitcoin operates under its own behavioral cycle, likely due to its unique mix of retail-driven volume, 24/7 markets, and global accessibility.
Long-Term Implication: Is It Just Noise or Signal?
If the difference was 0.05%, we could dismiss it. But with Monday showing 5–10x the return of other days, it becomes a meaningful signal.
Combined with technical analysis or sentiment indicators, weekday seasonality could enhance entries and exits.
Summary: What You Should Know
So, what is the best day of the week to buy Bitcoin?
✅ Monday – with an average gain of +0.51% – is statistically the most profitable day.
📉 Thursday and Sunday – offer the weakest performance.
📈 Early-week buying can give your portfolio a subtle but repeatable advantage.
Recap: Best Days to Buy and Hold Bitcoin
| Day | Strategy Insight |
|---|---|
| Monday | Best day to buy or hold |
| Wednesday | Positive hold day – consider delaying sells |
| Friday | Moderate strength – good for holding |
| Sunday | Worst time to buy – wait for Monday |
| Thursday | Weak returns – consider avoiding buys |
Final Thoughts
While no timing strategy is perfect, aligning your entries with high-probability patterns can enhance long-term results. This weekday-based approach is simple, evidence-based, and easy to implement.
Looking for more advanced crypto insights and trading data?
Visit Quantified Strategies — where you’ll find backtested Bitcoin strategies, trading systems, and deeper market research.
