Nasdaq announced its intent to transition the Nasdaq Stock Market to operate 24 hours a day, five days a week in the second half of 2026. This decision is driven by the evolving needs of global investors and the market.
“While the promise of round-the-clock trading can make our markets more accessible, it also demands careful and deliberate planning. Liquidity, transparency, and integrity remain the lifeblood of vibrant markets, and any structural change must uphold these principles,” wrote Tal Cohen, Nasdaq president on Linked In. Along with pending regulatory approval, Cohen highlighted “alignment with critical industry infrastructure providers”.
Just as market participants, regulators, and infrastructure operators came together to achieve significant milestones in the transition to T+1 settlement and the move to cloud-based markets, the discussion around 24-hour trading must be guided by a collective commitment to ensure stability, resilience and trust. The interconnected nature of our financial system means that no single entity should drive such a shift in isolation, Cohen wrote in a post.
“As we embark on this significant transformation, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of market integrity, liquidity, and transparency. We will work closely with industry stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition that upholds these principles,” wrote Kevin Kennedy, executive vice president and head of North American Market Services and Brandon Tepper, senior vice president and global head of Data, in a joint statement.