Nasdaq has announced plans to establish 24-hour trading on its main U.S. exchange, aiming to harness the increasing worldwide appetite for U.S. equities, as revealed by a senior executive’s social media post last Friday.
The past few years have seen a significant rise in global interest in the U.S. equity market, fueled by increased retail participation, enhanced financial literacy, and the growing ease of access to digital trading platforms.
Nasdaq President Tal Cohen disclosed on LinkedIn that discussions with regulators have commenced, with the goal of launching round-the-clock trading for five days a week in the latter half of 2026. This continuous trading model is expected to meet global investor demand, which is currently served by alternative trading platforms, by attracting international investors across different time zones, increasing trading volumes, and enhancing liquidity in the market.
Nasdaq’s initiative parallels efforts by competitors such as Cboe Global Markets and Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, which are also exploring extended trading hours.
A Nasdaq representative affirmed that the company intends to seek the necessary approvals from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for this venture.
