Nasdaq plans to introduce 24-hour buying and selling by the second half of 2026, a transfer that mirrors the crypto market’s nonstop exercise.
Nasdaq President Tal Cohen confirmed the event on March 7, stating that discussions are underway with regulators, market contributors, and infrastructure suppliers. The objective is to increase buying and selling hours to 5 days per week with out interruptions.
He emphasised that the transition requires regulatory alignment and collaboration with {industry} infrastructure suppliers earlier than implementation.
Why Nasdaq is shifting to 24-hour buying and selling
Cohen defined that the choice is pushed by a surge in international retail funding.
In response to him, extra traders from worldwide markets are coming into the US inventory market as a consequence of decrease boundaries and elevated curiosity in belongings like exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
He identified that overseas possession of US equities has practically doubled in recent times, reaching $17 trillion by mid-2024. This pattern highlights the rising demand for higher market accessibility.
In response to him:
“Within the APAC area, traders are more and more turning their consideration to US markets, drawn by the depth of alternatives, sturdy regulatory framework and entry to high-growth sectors corresponding to expertise and healthcare.”
He added that the prolonged buying and selling hours would accommodate worldwide traders and make the market extra inclusive. Nevertheless, he additionally acknowledged that after-hours buying and selling nonetheless faces challenges like low liquidity and volatility.
Cohen famous:
“The US equities markets course of tens of millions of messages per second, and each incremental change – whether or not in buying and selling guidelines or the guardrails that shield traders– requires seamless industry-wide coordination, considerate planning, testing, and coordinated implementation.”
Regardless of these considerations, Cohen believes Nasdaq has the technological capabilities to help 24-hour buying and selling.
Crypto affect
Nasdaq’s transfer aligns with the crypto {industry}’s steady buying and selling mannequin. In contrast to conventional inventory markets, the crypto market operates 24/7 with out centralized restrictions.
Some specialists counsel that blockchain expertise has influenced Nasdaq’s resolution. This shift may convey conventional finance nearer to the DeFi mannequin, the place buying and selling occurs in actual time with out boundaries.
Mike Cahill, CEO of Oracle Community Pyth, emphasised this shift, stating:
“Markets by no means sleep. Nasdaq’s transfer towards 24-hour buying and selling mirrors what crypto & DeFi have confirmed for years—steady markets drive effectivity, liquidity, and international entry. The longer term isn’t simply continuous buying and selling; it’s real-time, permissionless, and on-chain.”