Nasdaq says it plans to introduce 24-hour trading by second half of 2026

Nasdaq Plans to Launch 24-Hour Trading by 2026

March 8, 2025 | New York

Nasdaq Inc. is preparing to introduce 24-hour trading on its flagship U.S. exchange to meet growing global demand for American equities, a senior executive announced Friday.

The surge in international interest in U.S. stocks has been fueled by rising retail participation, improved financial literacy, and increased access to digital trading platforms.

Nasdaq has begun discussions with regulators and expects to roll out 24-hour, five-days-a-week trading in the second half of 2026, according to Nasdaq President Tal Cohen, who shared the news in a LinkedIn post.

“Around-the-clock trading will allow us to broaden investor access, expand wealth-building opportunities, and redefine how markets function,” Cohen said.

Expanding Access to Global Investors

A 24-hour trading model would enable Nasdaq to attract investors from different time zones, boosting trading volumes and improving market liquidity. Currently, alternative trading platforms cater to international investors seeking access to U.S. equities outside regular market hours.

Nasdaq follows in the footsteps of Cboe Global Markets and Intercontinental Exchange, the operator of the New York Stock Exchange, both of which have also explored extended trading hours.

Regulatory approval is expected once securities information processors are upgraded to handle continuous trading, said Michael Ashley Schulman, partner and CIO at Running Point Capital Advisors.

"Exchanges may start by extending trading hours for large-market-cap stocks, but it will be interesting to see if they introduce additional fees for extended trading,” Schulman noted. “Liquidity and fair market pricing will be key concerns.”

Next Steps for Nasdaq

A Nasdaq spokesperson confirmed that the company plans to file for approval with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Currently, brokerages like Charles Schwab and Robinhood offer limited 24-hour trading on select stocks, but Nasdaq’s initiative would mark the first full-scale, round-the-clock trading on a major U.S. exchange.

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