A significant shift is underway in the world of finance, as the rise of cryptocurrency and perpetual futures contracts is changing the way traders approach the weekend. For decades, traders have followed a routine where they would wind down on Fridays, anxious about potential market-moving events that could occur while markets were closed. However, with the advent of 24/7 crypto markets, traders can now react to market developments in real-time, regardless of the day of the week. This has led to a growth in weekend trading volume, with some exchanges seeing record-breaking numbers.
The implications of this shift are far-reaching, with potential changes to the way traders price short-dated options and the overall dynamics of the market. While traditional finance has been slow to adapt, with many institutional traders still hesitant to engage in weekend trading due to infrastructure and liquidity concerns, the writing is on the wall. The future of trading is likely to be shaped by the emergence of 24/7 markets, and those who fail to adapt may be left behind.