SEC Plans September Roundtable on 24-Hour Stock Trading as Major Exchanges Push for Extended Hours
💡 • Longer trading hours could boost transaction volumes for exchanges like Nasdaq and Cboe, potentially increasing their fee revenue. • Retail investors may gain more flexibility to trade around work schedules, but overnight liquidity risks could widen bid-ask spreads. • Brokerages and fintech platforms that offer 24/7 order execution and real-time data may see increased user adoption. • Market makers and high-frequency trading firms could benefit from extended trading windows, but may face higher operational costs. • Investors should watch for regulatory updates from the SEC roundtable, as any changes to trading hours could affect volatility and trading strategies.
The SEC will hold talks in September about moving U.S. stock trading to a 24-hour schedule. Nasdaq, Cboe, and the London Stock Exchange are among the major exchanges driving the shift, which could reshape how investors access markets.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has scheduled a roundtable discussion for September to explore the feasibility of 24-hour stock trading in U.S. equities. The meeting comes as major exchanges, including Nasdaq, Cboe, and the London Stock Exchange, actively push for longer trading hours to accommodate global demand and round-the-clock retail activity.
Currently, regular U.S. stock trading runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with limited pre-market and after-hours sessions. A move to 24-hour trading would represent a fundamental shift in market structure, potentially allowing investors to trade at any time of day or night, similar to cryptocurrency markets.
The SEC's involvement signals that regulatory hurdles remain, including concerns about market stability, liquidity, and investor protection during overnight hours. The roundtable will likely address these issues while examining how exchanges plan to manage risk and maintain fair access.
For exchanges like Nasdaq and Cboe, extended hours could increase trading volumes and transaction fee revenue, while also attracting more international participants. The London Stock Exchange's interest suggests a push for cross-border alignment, as global investors often face time-zone barriers.
The move toward 24-hour trading has gained momentum in recent years, driven by the rise of commission-free trading apps and retail investors who expect constant access. However, critics worry about increased volatility and the potential for technical glitches outside normal business hours.
If implemented, the change could also pressure traditional brokerages to update their systems and offer extended support, while creating new opportunities for fintech firms that provide real-time data and execution services.
Read the full story
Original reporting and related coverage — attribution links only, not paid recommendations.
Trade this story
Broker buttons use invite / refer-a-friend links (rewards may be capped). Other partner links may pay OppHub a commission at no extra cost to you.
Gear Desk
Full kit →Curated tools and reads for the money move — OppHub may earn from qualifying purchases.
Playbook
New stories get a playbook when they publish. Older articles may not have one yet.
No stored playbook for this article. Going forward, playbooks are generated once at publish and kept on the story.