SEC Sets Agenda for 24‑Hour Trading Roundtable and Proposes Transfer‑Agent Rule

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has published the agenda for its upcoming 24‑trading‑hour roundtable, a forum aimed at discussing continuous U.S. market operations.

Roundtable Focus

The roundtable will explore the feasibility, benefits, and challenges of extending U.S. securities trading to a 24‑hour model, addressing market structure, investor protection, and operational considerations.

Proposed Transfer‑Agent Rule

Alongside the roundtable agenda, the SEC proposed a new rule governing transfer agents. The draft rule includes provisions that could accommodate blockchain technology, potentially modernizing how securities ownership records are maintained and transferred.

Implications for the Industry

• Continuous trading could reshape liquidity and price discovery for U.S. securities.
• Incorporating blockchain into transfer‑agent functions may streamline record‑keeping and reduce settlement friction.
• Market participants will likely submit comments during the SEC’s public consultation period.