U.S. SEC begins prepping for around-the-clock trading that crypto treats as the norm - CoinDesk

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is reportedly taking early steps toward accommodating around-the-clock trading in U.S. equities, according to CoinDesk. The move would bring traditional stock markets closer to a model that crypto markets already operate under, where trading never pauses.

For investors, the significance lies in market structure rather than any single stock. U.S. equities currently trade during set exchange hours, with limited pre- and post-market sessions. Extending that window toward 24/7 would require coordination on clearing, settlement, liquidity, and oversight — areas where regulators have historically moved deliberately.

What to watch is how far these preparations advance and whether they translate into formal proposals or pilot programs. Any shift would likely unfold gradually, and the practical effects on pricing, volatility, and access remain uncertain. For now, the development signals that policymakers are at least studying a framework crypto users take for granted, a notable convergence between two markets that have long operated on different clocks.