Introduction
Traditionally you trade US stocks between 15:30 and 22:00 (Dutch time) on weekdays. With crypto exchanges offering tokenised stocks, that changes: 24/5 trading is now possible.
What exactly is 24/5?
Trading 24 hours a day on weekdays: from Monday 00:00 UTC to Friday 23:59 UTC, closed on weekends. A middle ground between traditional market hours (~6.5 hours a day) and 24/7 crypto.
How does it differ from 24/7?
With crypto, the blockchain never closes. Stocks are subtler: the underlying market is closed at weekends (no real price discovery), corporate actions happen on weekdays, and market makers are less active. For stocks on-chain, 24/5 is the logical compromise — although some venues have begun experimenting with weekend sessions.
How does off-hours pricing work?
Outside regular US market hours, price is set by the exchange's internal market makers, correlation with S&P 500 futures (which trade nearly 24h) and news flow. Spreads can be wider, and prices can gap when the traditional market re-opens ("gap risk").
Benefits
- React to news immediately — evenings and early mornings
- Event-driven strategies — act during market-moving events
- For busy professionals — trade after work
Risks
- Lower liquidity — wider spreads, more slippage
- Gap risk — prices can jump at the US open
- Emotional trades — 3am decisions are rarely your best
Who offers it?
Nearly all crypto exchanges with a stocks product support 24/5. Differences lie in spread quality, market-maker reliability and weekend maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I trade at weekends too?
For stocks: occasionally — a few venues run weekend sessions. For crypto: always (24/7).
Are off-hours prices reliable?
They reflect the venue's best estimate; expect possible gaps at the US open.
Do I pay extra fees for 24/5?
Usually not — the same fee schedule applies.