SEC sets September talks on move to 24-hour trading
The SEC sets September talks on a possible shift toward 24-hour trading in US equities, with a public roundtable planned for Sept. 17 in Washington, DC. Chair Paul Atkins framed overnight trading as a step toward markets that run day and night, as Nasdaq, Cboe and the London Stock Exchange push longer hours.
Key Takeaways
- The US Securities and Exchange Commission will host a public roundtable on Sept. 17 to discuss moving toward 24-hour trading in US equity markets.
- Talks will cover preparations for overnight trading plus operations and resiliency in a round-the-clock market.
- Nasdaq, Cboe and the London Stock Exchange are among major venues extending or planning longer hours.
- Retail traders could gain stock-market access closer to the continuous trading crypto exchanges already offer.
For more market-structure updates in our Fintech & Crypto Alerts hub, this SEC calendar item is one to watch.
When and where will the SEC hold the talks?
According to Cointelegraph, the roundtable is set for Sept. 17 at the SEC’s headquarters in Washington, DC. It is a public forum focused on a move toward 24-hour trading in US equities.
“We are moving towards a new day – and night – in the US equity markets,” SEC Chair Paul Atkins said on Thursday. “With the expansion to overnight trading, I’m excited at the prospect of US equity markets aligning with those markets that already trade continuously.”
What will regulators discuss at the roundtable?
The SEC said discussions will include preparations to support overnight trading. Officials also plan to examine operations and resiliency in a 24-hour market.
That focus underscores why the regulator is convening exchanges and other market participants before any broader overnight shift. The September session is framed as a step in moving toward continuous US equity trading, not as a finished rulebook.
Why are exchanges racing toward longer hours?
A growing number of global exchanges are offering or planning near-24-hour trading. Cointelegraph notes that change would give retail investors round-the-clock access long offered by cryptocurrency exchanges.
Nasdaq said in March it had begun engaging with US regulators about 24-hour trading five days a week. It aims to launch in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approval and alignment. The London Stock Exchange is reportedly planning a night-time trading venue in early 2027. Cboe is also among major exchanges moving toward longer trading hours.
How could overnight equities compare with crypto trading?
Crypto venues have long run continuous markets. Extended US equity hours would bring stocks closer to that model for retail investors seeking access outside the traditional session.
The September roundtable remains a discussion forum on the path toward 24-hour US equity trading. With Nasdaq targeting a possible second-half 2026 launch and the LSE eyeing a night venue in early 2027, the fact that the SEC sets September talks puts the overnight equities debate firmly on the public calendar.