The SEC will hold a September 17 roundtable on 24-hour U.S. equities trading as Nasdaq, NYSE, and 24X push for longer trading hours. Here's what it means.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken a major step toward a future where stocks could trade almost like crypto. The regulator announced it will host a Sept. 17 roundtable to discuss what it would take to support 24-hour trading in U.S. equity markets.
According to the SEC press release, the event will focus on preparations for overnight trading, operational resilience, market infrastructure, and the opportunities and challenges created by expanding trading hours.
However, regulators will also gather public feedback before any broader transition takes place.
SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins said the industry is entering a new phase.
"We are moving towards a new day – and night – in the U.S. equity markets. With the expansion to overnight trading, I'm excited at the prospect of U.S. equity markets aligning with those markets that already trade continuously and look forward to balancing round-the-clock trading with all-important investor and customer protections."
The meeting will be open to the public at the SEC's Washington headquarters, while investors can also submit written comments that will become part of the public record.
For decades, U.S. stock markets have operated during fixed weekday sessions, with regular trading running from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
That model is increasingly being challenged by global investing habits.
International investors now account for trillions of dollars in U.S. equities, while retail traders have grown accustomed to markets that never close, particularly cryptocurrencies, which trade 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Regulators and exchanges believe longer trading hours could make U.S. markets more accessible to investors across different time zones while keeping Wall Street competitive with evolving global markets.
One of the SEC's biggest questions is whether the U.S. financial system is ready for almost nonstop trading.
Right now, exchanges close every day to update software, process transactions, fix technical issues, and prepare for the next trading session. If markets stay open almost all the time, there will be very little time to complete these important tasks.
The SEC will also have to review how trades can be settled smoothly in a 24-hour market.
Meanwhile, brokers and clearing firms may need to upgrade their systems to handle trades and manage customer funds throughout the day and night.
Another key concern is investor safety. Overnight trading usually has fewer buyers and sellers, which can lead to bigger price swings, wider trading spreads, and a higher risk of market manipulation.
The SEC's announcement comes as several major exchanges are already preparing for longer trading hours. 24X National Exchange, backed by Point72 Ventures, has already received SEC approval for overnight trading. Meanwhile, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) plans to extend trading to about 22 hours a day, while Nasdaq has proposed 23-hour weekday trading and hopes to launch it in the second half of 2026.
These developments show that 24-hour stock trading is no longer just an idea. The SEC's September roundtable is expected to focus on how the market can safely support longer trading hours while protecting investors and keeping the financial system stable.
While the event is not expected to result in immediate rule changes, it could influence the SEC's future approach to approving and overseeing extended trading hours.
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