FOREX.com rolled out 24/7 cryptocurrency CFD trading today (Wednesday), allowing clients to trade digital assets during weekends as part of the UAE's broader push into digital finance.
The StoneX Group subsidiary now keeps crypto CFD markets open from Saturday at 8:00 a.m. UTC through Friday at 9:00 p.m. UTC, eliminating the traditional weekend gap. The move puts FOREX.com alongside several competitors who made similar adjustments earlier this year as digital asset volatility increased.
FOREX.com Launches Round-the-Clock Crypto Trading
FOREX.com's launch follows comparable moves by other major brokers. Hantec Markets introduced 24/7 crypto CFD trading earlier in 2025, while CMC Markets launched round-the-clock crypto CFD services in Australia to meet growing client demand.
The shift reflects how traditional FX brokers are adapting to crypto's always-on nature. Unlike stock markets that close for weekends, cryptocurrency exchanges operate continuously, creating price movements that CFD traders previously couldn't access through regulated platforms.
UAE Positions for Digital Finance Growth
The timing aligns with the UAE's efforts to establish itself as a digital finance hub. Regulatory frameworks from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Securities and Commodities Authority support tokenized assets and stablecoins, creating what officials describe as a secure environment for institutional money.
"The UAE's investment outlook for the year ahead is expected to remain positive," said Razan Hilal, Market Analyst at FOREX.com. "The Central Bank of the UAE has forecast a 5.4% growth rate for 2026, underpinned by the lifting of OPEC production quotas, the expansion of the digital economy, and sustained growth in tourism."
Extended Hours Reach Beyond Crypto
FOREX.com paired its crypto expansion with extended trading hours for up to 160 stock CFDs, covering major companies alongside digital assets like Bitcoin and Solana. The combined offering targets traders who want exposure across traditional and digital markets without switching platforms.
"Cryptocurrency markets are no longer a fringe asset class; they're central to the future of finance," Hilal noted. "The launch of 24/7 crypto CFD trading reflects how investor behavior is evolving, particularly in regions like the Middle East, where demand for around-the-clock market access is growing rapidly."
The company has recently introduced an artificial intelligence-based identity verification system on its FOREX.com trading platform. It expects the update to nearly double the number of new account openings. StoneX, the parent firm of FOREX.com and City Index, reported $70.9 million in revenue from foreign exchange and contracts for difference (CFDs) trading in the January–March quarter, a 12% decline from a year earlier.
