Bitwise Sees TradFi Accelerating Adoption of 24/7 Crypto Rails

Traditional securities markets are constrained by trading hours and T+1 settlement, making it difficult for investors to adjust positions promptly when geopolitical crises erupt over a weekend. Blockchains, by contrast, support round-the-clock trading and instant settlement. The New York Stock Exchange and its parent, Intercontinental Exchange, announced plans in January 2026 for a 24/7 platform for tokenized stocks and ETFs, underscoring the pressure on traditional finance to adapt.

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan said on March 3, 2026, that Hyperliquid recorded more than $11.5 billion in trading volume on Saturday and Sunday as the United States and Israel attacked Iran over the weekend. Tether Gold’s daily volume also exceeded $300 million, while Bloomberg cited prices from Hyperliquid’s crude-oil contracts. Hougan consequently withdrew his estimate that onchain finance remained five to 10 years away, saying adoption would accelerate significantly.