B3 extends trading hours for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and gold futures

Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: B3 extends trading hours for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and gold futures Original Link: Brazilian stock exchange B3 announces an extension of trading hours for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and gold futures contracts, aiming to bring the local market closer to the global trading dynamics of these assets.

The implementation will be carried out in two phases throughout 2026. The first phase begins on March 9, with trading hours from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. The second phase starts on April 20, with closing time extended to 8:00 PM, creating a weekly trading window from Monday to Friday totaling 12 hours, including contract rollovers.

In the second phase, B3 will also update the trading window for financial derivatives to 8:30 PM, covering all derivatives contracts traded on the exchange. The organization stated it will closely monitor investor participation and the liquidity performance of these new windows as a basis for future expansion into other asset classes.

This decision reflects a growing demand for operational flexibility, especially in the cryptocurrency market, where prices are formed 24/7 on international platforms.

B3 Vice President of Products and Clients Luiz Masagão said that the extended hours meet the needs of investors who wish to trade within a regulated environment but outside traditional working hours.

“By opening the window earlier and closing it later, B3 allows investors to adjust their positions over a longer intraday period, supported by our infrastructure, which offers the regulatory security and price transparency provided by market organization and supervision,” he said.

He added that the goal is to democratize access to these assets while ensuring clear rules, governance, and central counterparty clearing in trading.

B3’s crypto assets and gold futures contracts aim to provide operational efficiency and low initial costs, with each contract representing only a portion of the reference asset. This structure allows exposure to price movements without direct purchase or physical custody in the case of gold, or private key management in the case of cryptocurrencies.

Settlement is entirely financial, based on global indices, reducing operational risk and simplifying access for institutional and retail investors. Additionally, the futures market supports hedging and leverage strategies, expanding the use of these tools in diversified portfolios.

To facilitate the extended hours, B3 has adjusted its reporting process. After the extended session ends at 8:00 PM, the exchange will release supplementary versions of the “Business Bulletin” and “Derivatives Market Simplified Trading Bulletin,” containing final update statistics specifically for cryptocurrency and gold futures. Information on other products will continue to be published according to the regular schedule.