Nasdaq to launch 23-hour daily trading under new 24/5 plan

Nasdaq has announced its ‘Global Trading Hours’ plan, set to launch on December 6, 2026. This ‘24/5’ initiative will allow for 23 hours of trading five days a week, with only a one-hour pause from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM ET for system maintenance and daily transitions.

The new structure will divide trading into day and night sessions. The day session will run from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET, encompassing pre-market, regular, and post-market sessions. The night session will run from 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM ET the following day. Transactions occurring between 9:00 PM and midnight will be recorded as part of the next trading day.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the proposal on April 10, 2024. Implementation depends on infrastructure upgrades by the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) and the Securities Information Processor (SIP). Nasdaq officials stated the goal is to increase accessibility for global investors across different time zones.

This move follows a trend among major exchanges, including the NYSE and London Stock Exchange, to extend trading hours. Additionally, Nasdaq is working toward tokenized securities, with a partnership with Payward to link regulated markets with blockchain networks expected to operate by the first half of 2027.