SEC Prepares for 24-Hour Stock Trading, Aligning with Crypto Markets
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to hold a roundtable meeting on September 17, 2026, to discuss the potential for 24-hour stock trading in the US. This move could bring traditional stocks closer to crypto's 24/7 trading model.
Currently, the US stock market operates between 9:30 am and 4:00 pm ET, but investors now expect markets to be available almost anytime, especially after seeing crypto markets trade 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The SEC believes longer trading hours could help US markets stay competitive with global investors who trade across different time zones.
Several exchanges are already preparing for this shift. 24 Exchange (24X) is moving closer to launching 23-hour weekday trading after receiving initial SEC approvals. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has proposed extending trading to 22 hours each weekday, while Nasdaq has filed plans to offer 23-hour weekday trading.
The SEC is also asking the public to share their views before the meeting. Anyone can send comments online or by mail, and all feedback will be published on the SEC's website. If approved, 24-hour trading would let investors react to breaking news, global events, and company earnings at any time instead of waiting for the market to open the next day.