Nasdaq to launch 23‑hour trading on US markets in 2026

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reviewing a proposal to extend U.S. equity trading to five days a week, 23 hours per day. Nasdaq has announced its "Global Trading Hours" plan, targeting a launch on December 6, 2026. Under the plan, the market will be open from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, close for one hour (8 p.m.–9 p.m.) for system maintenance, and resume trading until 4 a.m. the next day. The SEC approved the proposal on April 10, and a round‑table on all‑day trading is scheduled for September 17.

Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman said the exchange aims to lead the shift to an "Always‑On" market. In parallel, Nasdaq is advancing tokenized securities. The SEC approved a token‑security framework covering Russell 1000 constituents and ETFs linked to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100. Nasdaq plans to allow qualified participants to settle trades using blockchain‑based tokens, with the first tokenized trades expected by late 2024, pending updates to the Depository Trust Company (DTC). Nasdaq is also partnering with cryptocurrency exchange Kraken to build a tokenized‑securities gateway, slated for launch in the first half of 2027. Other U.S. and international exchanges, including NYSE Arca, 24X National Exchange, Cboe, and the London Stock Exchange, have announced similar extensions of trading hours.