The US Securities and Exchange Commission will convene a public roundtable on September 17 to discuss the potential shift towards 24-hour trading in US equity markets. The discussions will cover operational readiness and market resilience for continuous trading.
The SEC's exploration of 24-hour trading could fundamentally alter market accessibility for retail investors and reshape operational demands on exchanges and financial institutions, aligning US markets with global trends in continuous trading.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing to host a public roundtable on September 17 to explore the potential transition to 24-hour trading in US equity markets. SEC Chair Paul Atkins stated that the move signifies a "new day – and night" for US markets, aiming to align with global exchanges that already offer continuous trading.
The roundtable, scheduled to take place at the SEC's headquarters in Washington, D.C., will delve into the necessary preparations, operational challenges, and resiliency requirements for a market that operates around the clock. This initiative comes as several major exchanges are either offering or planning extended trading hours.
Nasdaq has indicated its engagement with regulators to provide 24-hour trading five days a week, with a target launch in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approval. Similarly, the London Stock Exchange is reportedly planning to introduce a night-time trading venue by early 2027. These developments mirror the round-the-clock trading access already available to retail investors in cryptocurrency markets.