SEC Announces 24/7 Trading Roundtable with Major Wall Street Firms

The Securities and Exchange Commission will host a public roundtable on September 17 to explore the implications of extending U.S. equity markets to continuous, 24‑hour, seven‑day trading. The discussion will focus on potential benefits, risks, and investor protections associated with round‑the‑clock trading.

Key Participants

The SEC has invited 27 traditional‑finance firms, including many with existing crypto or blockchain connections. Notable attendees include:

• SEC Chair Paul Atkins (opening remarks)
• Jamie Selway, Director of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets
• Robinhood, NYSE, BlackRock, Virtu Financial, Cboe, BNY Pershing, UBS, FINRA, Bruce Markets
• Jane Street, State Street, Samsung
• Charles Schwab, Nasdaq, Interactive Brokers, DTCC, Exegy, MEMX
• OTC Markets Group, BNP Paribas, 24X, Invesco, Citadel Securities, DriveWealth, Blue Ocean, Citi, ModernIR

Crypto Connections

Eighteen of the participating firms have direct ties to cryptocurrency, digital assets, or blockchain technology, highlighting the growing overlap between traditional markets and the crypto ecosystem.

Discussion Themes

Panelists are expected to address several topics, including:

• How continuous trading could affect market liquidity and price discovery
• Potential widening of spreads and reduced depth during overnight hours
• Investor protection measures for a 24/7 market environment
• Fee structures and revenue opportunities for exchanges and market makers
• The role of crypto price signals as early indicators of macro‑economic events

Regulatory Context

The roundtable follows the SEC’s July announcement of a public forum on 24/7 trading. Chair Paul Atkins has expressed interest in aligning U.S. equity markets with the always‑on nature of crypto markets while maintaining robust investor safeguards.