SEC Brings 17 Wall Street Firms Together to Prepare for 24-Hour U.S. Stock Trading

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is bringing together 17 major financial-market participants for a September 17 roundtable focused on the future of around-the-clock stock trading in the United States, according to information shared on X by @coinbureau.

The discussion comes as major exchanges and trading platforms explore significantly longer market hours. Nasdaq is seeking to introduce 23-hour trading by late 2026, while the New York Stock Exchange has proposed 22-hour sessions. Meanwhile, 24X has already received approval for 23-hour weekday trading.

The developments point to a potential shift in the traditional structure of U.S. equity markets, which currently operate within defined daily trading sessions.

SEC Roundtable to Examine Extended Stock Trading

The SEC is scheduled to host the roundtable on September 17 as regulators and industry participants consider the implications of substantially expanding trading hours.

The panel will include some of the largest names in U.S. financial markets. Citi, BlackRock, Nasdaq, NYSE, Robinhood, Citadel Securities, UBS and Schwab are among the participants identified in the information shared on X.

Nine additional participants will also take part, bringing the total number of major financial-market representatives involved in the discussion to 17.

The meeting provides an opportunity for market participants and regulators to examine the operational and structural issues associated with longer trading sessions. The original information did not provide further details about the specific agenda or conclusions expected from the roundtable.

Nasdaq and NYSE Pursue Longer Market Hours

The SEC's discussion comes as exchanges move toward extending the availability of U.S. equities beyond traditional market hours.

Nasdaq wants to introduce 23-hour trading by late 2026. If implemented, the proposal would substantially increase the amount of time investors could trade securities listed on the exchange each day.

The NYSE has separately proposed 22-hour trading sessions, representing another effort by a major U.S. exchange to expand access to its equity markets.

The proposals reflect broader changes in how financial markets can operate as electronic trading infrastructure enables transactions to take place across longer periods. However, the move toward extended hours also raises practical considerations surrounding market operations and participation.

24X Already Has Approval for 23-Hour Weekdays

While Nasdaq and NYSE are pursuing their respective proposals, 24X has already received approval for 23-hour weekday trading, according to the information provided in the original post.

The development gives 24X a regulatory position that allows it to move ahead with an extended-hours model while larger established exchanges continue developing their own proposals.

The differences in proposed trading schedules also demonstrate that the transition toward longer market access is not necessarily following a single model. Nasdaq is targeting 23 hours, NYSE has proposed 22-hour sessions, and 24X has approval for 23-hour weekdays.

The SEC's September 17 roundtable could therefore provide an important forum for discussing how different approaches to extended trading might fit within the broader U.S. equity-market framework.

SEC Chair Signals Shift in Equity Markets

SEC Chair Atkins has described the direction of the U.S. equity market as a transition toward trading during both daytime and nighttime hours.

According to the statement cited by @coinbureau, Atkins said, "We are moving towards a NEW day, and night, in the US equity markets."

The comment reflects the regulator's recognition of the growing push toward longer trading availability.

For investors and financial institutions, extended market hours could change when U.S. equities are accessible. For exchanges, brokers and market infrastructure providers, however, longer sessions require the supporting systems and market structures to operate across a much broader timeframe.

With 17 major financial-market participants expected at the SEC's September 17 roundtable, the meeting will bring together institutions with different roles in the equity ecosystem. The discussion will take place as Nasdaq, NYSE and 24X pursue different approaches to expanding U.S. stock-market hours.

Writer: Victoria Hale
Technology & Blockchain Writer

Victoria Hale writes about blockchain technology, digital infrastructure, and the intersection of emerging technologies with finance. Her articles explore how new protocols and systems are shaping the evolving digital economy.

She prioritises clarity and accuracy when explaining technical developments to a general audience.