Crypto is winning the race to own oil trading after hours as Wintermute launches 24/7 trading
Crypto firms like Wintermute are capturing the 24/7 oil trading market as geopolitical events necessitate immediate risk exposure outside traditional hours.Summary
The traditional, predictable schedule of oil trading is being disrupted by geopolitical volatility, creating an opportunity for 24/7 crypto-based trading venues. Wintermute's launch of a 24/7 crude oil CFD offering, which accepts fiat and crypto collateral via OTC channels, signals a significant land grab in this newly valuable market segment.
This trend is exemplified by Hyperliquid, where an oil-linked perpetual contract generated over $1.2 billion in 24-hour volume after recent escalations in the Middle East, demonstrating that traders demand immediate exposure outside legacy exchange hours. Both Hyperliquid's public, perpetual-based model and Wintermute's dealer-led, customized OTC approach target traders viewing oil as a 24/7 macro asset.
This shift aligns with broader financial industry moves toward tokenization and longer trading days, with major exchanges planning extended operations. While concerns about liquidity and risk management persist, crypto venues are capitalizing on the competitive weakness of traditional business hours, positioning themselves to capture the fastest initial reactions to major geopolitical shocks in the oil market.
(Source：CryptoSlate)