Nasdaq to Introduce 24-Hour Trading by 2026, Pending Regulatory Approval
The Nasdaq stock exchange is set to offer 24-hour trading from Monday to Friday, marking a major shift in the US equities market. The extended trading hours, expected to launch in the second half of 2026, remain subject to regulatory approval.
Expanding Global Demand for Nasdaq-Linked Assets
In a statement released on March 7, the stock exchange’s President Tal Cohen emphasized the rising international demand for Nasdaq-linked exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and US equities as the primary driver for the change.
“Over 56 exchange-traded products have launched in the last five years tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index, and 98% of these products were introduced outside of the United States,†Cohen stated. He also highlighted the surge in foreign holdings of US equities, which reached $17 trillion as of June 2024—a remarkable 97% increase since 2019.
Also read: Goldman Sachs Bets Big on Bitcoin & Ethereum ETFs
However, Cohen acknowledged potential concerns among corporate issuers regarding liquidity and corporate actions under a 24-hour trading framework. He stressed the importance of balancing technological innovation with market stability.
Nasdaq’s Growing Interest in Crypto ETFs
The move to extend trading hours comes amid Nasdaq’s increasing involvement in cryptocurrency-related investment products. Nasdaq has filed multiple applications for cryptocurrency ETFs, reinforcing its commitment to bridging traditional finance and digital assets.
On Feb. 5, Swedish digital asset manager Virtune launched two crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) on Nasdaq Helsinki, providing stock investors exposure to Avalanche (AVAX) and Cardano (ADA). Virtune’s staked Cardano ETP offers an additional 2% yield on top of its 1:1 exposure to ADA.
Also read: ETPs vs ETFs: Which One Fits Your Investment Strategy?
Nasdaq also filed on Feb. 21 to list the Canary HBAR ETF with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), featuring 1:1 backing with Hedera’s native coin, HBAR. Additionally, on Feb. 24, it filed to list the Grayscale Polkadot ETF, which would track the native token of the Polkadot (DOT) blockchain network.
Regulatory Climate Shifting Under Trump Administration
The surge in SEC filings for cryptocurrency ETFs follows the inauguration of Donald Trump in January 2025, which signaled a shift toward a more favorable regulatory environment for crypto-related financial products. With institutional exposure to digital assets becoming increasingly mainstream, Nasdaq’s push for 24-hour trading aligns with broader industry trends aimed at enhancing market accessibility and liquidity.
If approved, Nasdaq’s transition to round-the-clock trading could set a precedent for other major exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which has also expressed interest in 24/7 stock trading. Such a change would align traditional equities markets with the operational model of cryptocurrency exchanges, which have long offered 24/7 trading.
While the initiative aims to address the growing global appetite for US equities and ETFs, it remains to be seen how regulators and market participants will respond to the proposal. If successful, Nasdaq’s move could redefine the trading landscape and further integrate traditional and digital asset markets.
