SEC Schedules September Roundtable on 24-Hour Equity Trading

SEC Chair Paul Atkins framed the initiative as a necessary evolution, noting that continuous trading could align U.S. markets with global standards. While current trading is limited to the 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. window, industry leaders like Nasdaq and Cboe are actively preparing for near-continuous weekday sessions. Nasdaq is targeting a launch in the second half of 2026, while Cboe has proposed a Sunday-to-Friday schedule on its EDGX Equities Exchange.

Moving to an around-the-clock model requires significant upgrades to clearing, trade reporting, and consolidated market data systems. The roundtable will specifically examine how these firms manage liquidity and risk during overnight hours, when lower participation can lead to increased price volatility. Beyond technical resilience, the commission is focused on maintaining fair access and protection for retail investors who may encounter different execution standards outside of standard hours.

Pressure for this shift stems partly from the 24/7 nature of cryptocurrency markets, which has spurred demand for similar access to traditional assets. Although crypto exchanges and tokenized stock providers already offer continuous trading, those products operate on different custody and settlement structures than exchange-listed shares. The upcoming SEC meeting will prioritize the logistics of integrating these extended hours into the national market system, though the agency has yet to propose a formal rule or universal launch date.