SEC to host roundtable on 24-hour equity market trading

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has scheduled a roundtable for September 17 to discuss the implementation of 24-hour trading in U.S. equity markets. The meeting, held at the agency’s Washington headquarters, will feature a wide range of major financial institutions, including Blackrock, Citadel Securities, NYSE, Nasdaq, Robinhood, and Interactive Brokers.

The discussion will focus on the technical and operational requirements for nonstop trading, specifically addressing exchange and broker-dealer readiness, surveillance capabilities for overnight sessions, and the functionality of clearance and settlement systems during non-traditional hours. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins indicated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize the structure of U.S. equity markets.

Some market participants are already moving toward extended hours. Nasdaq has targeted December 6 for a new overnight session aiming for nearly 23 hours of trading, pending final regulatory approval. Additionally, 24 Exchange has received SEC approval to operate a stock exchange with approximately 23 hours of daily trading.