Background: As the cryptocurrency market operates around the clock, traditional financial institutions are gradually adapting to this change, especially hedge funds and trading firms that have started hiring weekend cryptocurrency traders.

Key Events: London-based Qube Research & Technologies is recruiting weekend crypto quantitative traders, requiring work every other weekend while maintaining a four-day standard workweek. US high-frequency trading firms Virtu Financial and Jump Trading are also hiring weekend traders in Singapore and Chicago. Large hedge funds such as Brevan Howard and Point72 are expanding their crypto teams and infrastructure to enable 24/7 operations. According to CoinShares, hedge funds have become the main force behind Bitcoin ETF holdings, accounting for 41%.

Potential Impact: The crypto market experiences higher volatility and lower liquidity on weekends, making it more susceptible to hacking and market events, leading to drastic price fluctuations. Hedge funds' weekend recruitment reflects the increasing demand for round-the-clock trading. SoSoValue was not mentioned in the original text.

The always-on crypto market is reshaping global finance, pushing hedge funds and trading firms to look beyond traditional hours and staff desks through the weekend. Qube Research &amp; Technologies, a global quantitative investment management firm headquartered in London, is hiring for a “Crypto | Quant Trader (Weekend Shift)” role in London, which requires weekend availability in addition to a four-day workweek. The role, which includes overseeing continuous crypto trading , monitoring strategy performance and risks and implementing signals and data sets, requires working every other weekend and a normal day shift four days per week. Unlike traditional financial markets that operate on fixed schedules and close on weekends, the crypto market runs 24/7 . There are no closing bells, holidays or after-hours sessions, and price movements can happen at any time, even during weekends. Related: Crypto sentiment recovers, but weekend liquidity risks remain Other traditional finance firms are also expanding crypto hiring to cover weekends. American high-frequency trading company Virtu Financial is seeking a weekend trader in Singapore to cover digital asset activity outside of weekday trading windows. Jump Trading’s crypto division was looking to hire a weekend trader in Chicago. The position is currently not available, suggesting the company might have found the right candidate. The rise in weekend crypto roles comes as major hedge funds and trading firms are building crypto teams and infrastructure to operate around the clock. Brevan Howard’s dedicated crypto unit, BH Digital, now boasts dozens of staff, including over 15 portfolio managers, more than 10 data scientists/traders, and 20 external engineers supporting its strategies. Steve Cohen’s hedge fund, Point72, is similarly expanding. Its Cubist quant division is hiring a crypto-focused quantitative developer in Paris. In a March report, CoinShares revealed that seven of the top 10 largest holders of Bitcoin ( BTC ) ETF shares are now hedge funds. “Hedge funds alone now account for 41% of all 13-F Bitcoin ETF holdings, surpassing investment advisers for the first time,” the firm wrote . Related: Wintermute to open New York office, eyes OTC and derivatives growth Crypto continues to show volatility during weekends. In April, crypto prices tumbled after a Friday tariff announcement by US President Donald Trump . The decline continued over the weekend, which saw Bitcoin drop 7%, from $83,000 to $77,000. Crypto markets can also turn extremely volatile during weekends if hacks or breaches occur. With thinner liquidity and limited staffing, exploits timed for late Friday or Saturday can trigger rapid sell-offs, leading to sharp price drops. While hedge funds are only now hiring for weekend roles, crypto traders have long operated without breaks. “Weekends are for working. Free time? No such thing, work time. Save your free time for the bear. For now, we grind,” popular altcoin trader Altcoin Gordon wrote on X. Magazine: Older investors are risking everything for a crypto-funded retirement 

Cryptocurrency Market Drives Hedge Funds to Recruit Weekend Traders, Traditional Finance Accelerates Adaptation to Around-the-Clock Digital Asset Trading