For dedicated traders, weekends are not a chance to relax; instead, they view this time as an additional opportunity to earn profits. While numerous traders are keen on weekend trading, certain brokers do not facilitate this option, which can hinder traders from executing potentially lucrative trades. Fortunately, there are trustworthy brokers available that remain operational during the weekend. In this article, we will explore some of the best weekend trading brokers that cater to traders looking to trade outside market hours.
What is Weekend Trading?
Weekend trading lets you buy and sell in indices, cryptocurrency, forex, and gold markets on Saturdays and Sundays. This means if something significant happens in the news and you spot a chance to trade, you won’t have to wait until Monday for the markets to open.
The prices for indices, forex, and gold during the weekend are distinct from those on weekdays. These prices depend on factors like how much the market is moving, trader behaviour, and current news.
If your weekend trades in indices, gold, or forex remain open after Monday’s close, they turn into regular weekday trades, keeping any limits or stops you set in place.
Cryptocurrency markets stay open over the weekend, so crypto trades are part of the regular weekday markets. Your crypto positions will continue to change during the weekend, and any stops or limits you’ve set can still be activated.
List of Top Weekend Trading Brokers
1. Pepperstone
Pepperstone is a leading forex broker in the world, praised for its competitive pricing and quick trade execution. While most markets on their platform close over the weekend, cryptocurrency trading remains available for 18 hours. You can trade popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash against major currencies like USD, EUR, GBP, and AUD.
Pepperstone also provides CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, currency indices, shares, ETFs, and stocks, though these are usually unavailable on weekends. The reputed weekend trading broker supports major trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, and TradingView. Regulation by top financial authorities such as the FCA in the UK, ASIC in Australia, and BaFin in Germany ensures a secure trading environment for clients.
2. eToro
eToro is a well-known platform for trading currencies and CFDs globally. On eToro, you can engage in CFD trading on forex, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, and stock market indices, as well as buy actual stocks and cryptocurrencies. A standout feature of eToro is its 24/7 cryptocurrency trading, allowing you to trade even on weekends.
For forex trading, the platform operates 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday. There are brief daily and weekend breaks, and you can check these on their market hour’s page. To access this, go to the homepage, click “Trading” in the top menu, and select “Market Hours and Events.” Depending on your location, some markets may open for a few hours during the weekend.
In the UK, you can start trading on the Tadawul Saudi Arabia stock market starting Sunday at 8:00 PM. If you’re in the Eastern USA, you have access to the Australian Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and the Tadawul Saudi Arabia stock market at different times on Sundays.
In Australia, several major global stock markets open for a few hours on Saturdays, allowing trading during that time. Now, about eToro: it’s one of the well-regulated and weekend trading platforms globally. The FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FINRA, and the SEC all oversee its activities to ensure everything is in order.
3. XTB
XTB commenced its online brokerage operations in 2004, rapidly garnering the interest of thousands of investors. Currently, one of the top weekend trading broker provides some of the most competitive spreads available and features an advanced trading platform. Furthermore, clients are allowed to invest across a diverse range of markets, including the cryptocurrency sector.
Within this domain, investors can engage in trading crypto CFDs for a selection of 49 different cryptocurrency assets. Notable cryptocurrencies available for investment encompass Bitcoin, AAVE, Cardano, Binance Coin, Chainlink, Ethereum, EOS, and Kusama. Clients have the flexibility to trade these assets throughout the week, including weekends.
XTB is regulated by four prominent regulatory authorities: CySEC in Cyprus, KNF in Poland, FCA in the United Kingdom, and IFSC in Belize. While regulatory oversight is essential, the company consistently exemplifies professionalism within the industry.
4. Forex.com
Numerous trading instruments are available for clients to invest in on Forex.com. These instruments encompass CFDs on forex, indices, stocks, commodities, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies. However, it is important to note that not all of these assets can be traded continuously throughout the week on this top weekend trading platform.
The majority of these markets are accessible for trading only five days a week and are closed during the weekends. In contrast, the cryptocurrency market on Forex.com operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing for the trading of crypto CFDs on five of the most prominent crypto assets, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, XRP, and Ethereum.
Moreover, certain markets are available for trading for a limited number of hours on Sunday. The forex market starts trading on Sunday at 5:00 PM Eastern Time and stays open through Friday. Additionally, the Spot gold and silver markets are accessible from 6:00 PM ET on Sunday through 5:00 PM ET on Friday.
Furthermore, Forex.com is a regulated CFD broker with a strong reputation in the industry, overseen by top-tier regulators such as CySEC, NFA, IIROC, and ASIC, which assures its operations under stringent regulatory standards.
5. XM
XM is a broker that lets you trade cryptocurrencies even on weekends if you’re outside the European Economic Area. This means you have access to the market 24/7 with this leading weekend trading broker. You can trade popular digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Cardano, XRP, Ethereum, Solana, Litecoin, and Chainlink. XM’s competitive spreads make the trading experience better for those interested in cryptocurrencies.
XM operates under the regulation of financial authorities in various countries. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates activities in the UK, while the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) oversees regulation in Cyprus. In Australia, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) manages its oversight. Finally, in Belize, its operations are regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC).
However, regulation alone doesn’t guarantee trust. A broker must also have a proven history of following the rules. XM has both strong regulations and a reliable track record, which makes it one of the top weekend trading brokers in the market.
6. AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a financial brokerage company that launched in 2006 and operates under regulation by financial authorities. This broker provides investors with the opportunity to trade Contracts for Difference (CFDs) across a variety of asset classes, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and bonds. Notably, cryptocurrency trading is available throughout the week, including weekends, while other markets are accessible only five days a week.
The forex market’s operating hours permit investors to engage in trading currency pairs for a limited time on Sundays, as it opens at 10:00 PM GMT on Sunday and closes at 10:00 PM GMT on Friday. Recognized as one of the trusted forex broker for beginners in the industry, AvaTrade is also distinguished by its regulation across multiple jurisdictions.
The company’s operations are overseen by the Central Bank of Ireland, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), and the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC).
Also Read: AvaTrade Full Broker Review
Pros and Cons of Weekend Trading
Pros
- Traders have ample time to focus on markets without interruptions. On weekdays, many part-time traders are tied up with their jobs, leaving little room to monitor charts or stay updated with market news. Hiring someone to manage trades is not affordable for everyone.
- Cryptocurrency traders benefit from even more time since this market never closes, unlike Forex and stocks. Trading cryptocurrencies on weekends provides a valuable opportunity to boost earnings.
- Weekends are perfect for testing trading strategies. With fewer traders active, the market slows down, offering a chance to experiment without risking real money and to watch trends closely.
- This preparation is key for weekday trading. Traders use the weekend to ready themselves for the upcoming week. Analyzing markets in a calm environment and honing strategies allow them to begin the week with an advantage.
Cons
- Weekend trading sees less activity because there aren’t as many managers or participants, which makes it harder to trade. With little news about the economy or global events, prices tend to remain stable, leading to fewer opportunities for profit.
- Additionally, there are fewer markets and assets to choose from. Most major markets are closed, so traders often have to work with smaller, less popular options, which can be inconvenient.
- Another issue is having to trade at unusual times. To stick with major markets, traders need to operate during odd hours. For example, if they want to continue trading into the weekend, they only have the first four hours of the day available to them.
Conclusion
Most financial markets, including stocks and bonds, are open only from Monday to Friday, closing on weekends because banks and large financial firms are also closed. The forex market, where people trade currencies, is particularly hard to access on weekends through most broker websites. However, some top weekend trading brokers do allow early access to forex trading on Sundays, offering a few hours for trading.
For those eager to trade over the weekend, investing in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum is a viable option, as their markets remain open 24/7 without any breaks. When choosing where to invest, investors need to consider the market hours and the trading conditions provided by their chosen broker.