Hedge Funds Turn to Weekend Crypto Traders as 24/7 Market Reshapes Finance

Key Takeaways:Hedge funds like Qube, Virtu, and Jump Trading are hiring for weekend crypto trading roles.Crypto’s 24/7 trading cycle is pushing traditional finance to adapt staffing models.Hedge funds now hold 41% of all Bitcoin ETF shares, surpassing investment advisers.Traditional Finance Adapts to Crypto’s Always-On MarketAs the cryptocurrency market continues to operate 24/7 without pause, major hedge funds and quantitative trading firms are quietly building weekend trading teams to stay competitive. Firms such as Qube Research & Technologies, Virtu Financial, and Jump Trading are recruiting traders specifically to cover weekend shifts, breaking from traditional finance’s weekday-only structure.Qube Seeks Weekend Quant Traders in LondonQube Research & Technologies is hiring a “Crypto | Quant Trader (Weekend Shift)” for its London office. The role combines a four-day workweek with alternate weekend shifts and includes responsibilities such as real-time trading, strategy monitoring, and signal implementation — all tailored for nonstop digital asset markets.Virtu and Jump Expand Weekend Crypto CoverageOther high-frequency firms are following suit. Virtu Financial is hiring a weekend crypto trader in Singapore, while Jump Trading previously sought a similar position in Chicago, although the listing has since been removed, likely filled.These hiring moves reflect a broader shift as traditional finance (TradFi) seeks to align with crypto’s non-stop nature. Unlike stocks or bonds, crypto markets never close, allowing for volatile moves on Saturdays and Sundays — especially during geopolitical developments, hacks, or liquidity shocks.Hedge Funds Deepen Crypto InfrastructureLeading hedge funds are expanding their digital asset teams:BH Digital, the crypto division of Brevan Howard, now includes over 15 portfolio managers, 10+ traders/data scientists, and 20+ engineers.Point72’s Cubist division is actively hiring a crypto quantitative developer in Paris.This expansion comes amid growing institutional exposure to crypto. A March report by CoinShares found that hedge funds now represent 41% of 13F Bitcoin ETF holdings, overtaking investment advisers for the first time.Volatility Persists During WeekendsWeekend crypto volatility remains a concern for traders. In April, markets dropped sharply after a Friday tariff announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump. Bitcoin fell 7% over the weekend, from $83,000 to $77,000.Security incidents timed for weekends — when liquidity is thinner and staffing reduced — can trigger sharp price moves. For this reason, firms are increasingly staffing weekends to mitigate risk and seize opportunities.“Weekends Are Workdays” for Crypto TradersWhile TradFi is just catching up, crypto-native traders have long embraced weekend work. As altcoin trader Altcoin Gordon wrote on X:“Weekends are for working. Free time? No such thing... Save your free time for the bear. For now, we grind.”