The crypto market operates around the clock , running 24/7 — an approach that starkly contrasts with the traditional finance (TradFi) sector. In this regard, the last few years have seen the concept of weekend trading emerge as a major phenomenon, offering unique opportunities for investors worldwide. The significance of weekend trading (in crypto) cannot be overstated because during these periods retail traders have been found to dominate market dynamics, leading to interesting price movements and trading opportunities that differ significantly from weekday patterns. To this point, historical data from 2022 through Q3 2024 has unraveled unique patterns in weekend trading behavior. While price changes have varied modestly between -0.27% to +1.21%, volumes have varied significantly, revealing a more compelling narrative. For example, even though Saturdays — over the aforementioned time window — have shown negative volume trends (-31.11% in 2022 and -36.60% in 2023), 2024 witnessed a remarkable turnaround with a +10.16% increase. Even more striking was the fact that 2024’s Sunday volumes reached an impressive +86.69% compared to 12.21% in 2023 and 3.86% in 2022. Crafting the perfect weekend trading arsenal To capitalize on these massive volume swings, investors need to develop successful weekend strategies, the number one factor for which is ‘smart asset selection,’ since certain cryptocurrencies display more pronounced weekend patterns when compared with others. Traders are best off focusing on assets that have been able to demonstrate consistent liquidity during weekend hours and those that have historically shown higher weekend volatility. Also, over the weekends, traders are presented with increased volatility. However, this volatility can only be taken advantage of if a disciplined approach to risk management (particularly when employing leverage) is taken. For instance, traders can combine technical analysis with an understanding of weekend-specific market dynamics (such as thinner order books and lower overall liquidity) to identify potential breakout points. That said, amidst this burgeoning landscape, cryptocurrency exchange VALR has emerged as a trailblazer. As Africa's largest digital asset trading platform, VALR has attracted significant investment from industry leaders like Pantera Capital and Coinbase Ventures, culminating in $55 million in equity funding . Furthermore, recognizing the growing importance of weekend trading, VALR has recently launched an innovative Weekend Trading Challenge which is scheduled to run from January to March 2025. As the name suggests, it offers participants the opportunity to compete for a share of $12,000 in crypto rewards while enjoying significant fee discounts (for a host of internal transactions). A Closer Look at VALR’s Weekend Trading Challenge The initiative is structured to benefit both spot and futures traders, with reduced trading fees of 15% and 25% respectively being offered to all participants during the weekend. However, what truly sets the offering apart is its accessibility and fair distribution model since it requires no separate registration for verified users and maintains a balanced reward structure — ensuring both experienced and emerging traders have opportunities to benefit. The weekly reward pools of $500 each (for spot and futures trading) have been designed to create sustained engagement opportunities, while a lucrative fee rebate system has been put in place to provide immediate benefits to all participating traders. To elaborate, participants can earn up to $50 in fee rebates per weekend, with the concessions being distributed within three business days after each weekend's trading period. Additionally, the platform has established a fair distribution cap of $1,000 per weekend for all rebates — split evenly between Saturday/Sunday and operating on a first-come, first-served basis (to maintain equitable access for investors to these advantages). Lastly, the challenge's design is noteworthy for its inclusivity and achievable entry requirements. For instance, spot traders need only maintain a minimum trading volume of $500 over the weekend to qualify for rewards, while futures traders require a $5,000 minimum volume. Not only that, the reward distribution system has been structured to incentivize consistent participation, with the top performer in each category receiving $120 in USDC or USDT, and rewards scaling down through the top 10 positions. Is weekend trading going to be the future of crypto finance? The mainstream adoption of crypto assets has been quite remarkable in recent years, with global ownership reaching 562 million people or 6.8% of the world's population in 2024 — a 33% increase since 2023. Therefore, in this rapidly evolving landscape, understanding and mastering the concept of weekend trading stands to become increasingly crucial for traders, especially those seeking maximum returns. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
