Wall Street Prepares for 24/7 Trading as SEC Sets Key September Roundtable

Wall Street is moving toward 24/7 stock trading as the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to hold a key roundtable on September 17, 2026. The meeting is expected to discuss the possibility of keeping the US stock market open around the clock. The move comes as investors are showing increasing interest in the availability of stock markets beyond traditional hours.

SEC to discuss 24/7 stock trading on September 17

The US regulator is becoming more serious about the idea of 24/7 stock trading. As per reports, the SEC will hold a key roundtable in Washington, DC on September 17 to discuss how the US stock market can move beyond traditional trading hours. The meeting will be attended by major TradFi players like Citi, BlackRock, Nasdaq, Charles Schwab, Jane Street, and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

In addition, the SEC will also check the possible challenges that the stocks may face with longer trading hours. The issues include exchange readiness, system reliability, market impact, liquidity, cybersecurity, and investor protection. The regulator is exploring ways to make sure that the continuous trading hours will not bring new risks to the market.

Previously, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins highlighted the importance of longer trading hours in the traditional markets. He believes that the move could bring more global liquidity into the US markets. In July, he noted:

“We are moving towards a new day – and night – in the U.S. equity markets. With the expansion to overnight trading, I’m excited at the prospect of U.S. equity markets aligning with those markets that already trade continuously and look forward to balancing round-the-clock trading with all-important investor and customer protections.”

SEC looks at the practical side

Notably, the SEC’s main focus will be the practical challenges of 24/7 stock trading. The initial concern is whether the exchanges and brokers will be ready to handle this continuous trading. It is also required to check whether their systems remain stable and reliable during overnight hours. Market surveillance will also be a focus, especially when trading activity is lower and fewer people are monitoring the market.

Also, the SEC’s discussion with the Wall Street giants will cover how clearing and settlement systems could operate outside the traditional market hours. The main agenda is to ensure that the move will not be risky for the market and investors.

Wall Street is already preparing for 24/7 trading

Interestingly, Wall Street has already taken the initiative to bring stock trading beyond the traditional hours. Even without waiting to know what the SEC decides after the September 17 meeting, some financial players have already unveiled plans for 24/7 trading. For example, Nasdaq is set to start a new overnight trading session on December 6. The New York Stock Exchange has also introduced similar plans.

As CoinCodex reported, the London Stock Exchange has partnered with Payward. The move intends to bring shares of top 100 UK companies on-chain via Kraken’s xStocks. The move also underscores Payward’s intention of exploring opportunities beyond the US market. These initiatives highlight the growing efforts of global stock markets to bring traditional assets on blockchain.