The Stock Market Is Going 24/7
A move toward continuous, around-the-clock trading marks the biggest transformation in the stock market’s structure since electronic trading replaced the physical trading floor. This shift reflects the modern appetite for constant access and faster reactions to global events.
From Bells to Blockchain
For more than a century, the market operated on a strict 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. schedule, complete with the traditional opening and closing bells first introduced in the 1870s. Today, that routine is beginning to seem outdated—much like the headsets still worn by some traders on the New York Stock Exchange floor.
Wall Street’s 24-Hour Ambition
Inspired by the nonstop nature of cryptocurrency and prediction markets, Wall Street is now racing to adopt an always-open trading model. Major exchanges such as the NYSE and Nasdaq plan to expand into 22- and 24-hour trading sessions, with some platforms aiming to launch before year’s end.
New Forces Driving Change
This evolution is being fueled by a wave of retail investors who now make up roughly 20% of daily U.S. trading volume and by growing global interest in American assets worth trillions. The demand for constant trading access is reshaping how and when markets operate.
“The shift represents the most fundamental change to market structure since electronic trading replaced the trading floor.”
Author’s Summary
The move to 24/7 trading reflects Wall Street’s adaptation to a digital, global market culture that demands nonstop access and participation.