| Key Points: – 24X National Exchange will initially operate from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, with plans to extend trading to 23 hours daily. – The platform aims to meet the growing demand for overnight liquidity, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. – This initiative reflects a broader trend toward aligning equities trading with the 24/7 nature of cryptocurrency markets. |
The trading landscape is set to undergo a significant transformation with the arrival of the 24X National Exchange, a new platform aimed at providing nearly round-the-clock stock trading. Announced by Stamford, Connecticut-based 24 Exchange, the platform is scheduled to debut in the second half of 2025, pending final regulatory approvals.
Initially, the exchange will offer trading from 4:00 a.m. ET to 7:00 p.m. ET on weekdays. However, its long-term vision extends to providing trading hours from 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday through 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, with a one-hour daily pause. This model could bring U.S. equities trading closer to the 24/7 structure popularized by the cryptocurrency market.
The move to expand trading hours addresses a key challenge faced by traders—limited access to markets during off-peak hours in their regions. “Traders are most at-risk when the market is closed in their geographic location,” explained Dmitri Galinov, CEO and Founder of 24 Exchange. “The 24X National Exchange will seek to alleviate this problem by facilitating around-the-clock U.S. equities trading for broker-dealers and their institutional and retail customers.”
The platform plans to target a growing demand for overnight liquidity, particularly from the Asia-Pacific region, where investors often face significant time zone mismatches with U.S. market hours.
The concept of expanded trading hours has been gaining momentum. Brokerages like Robinhood Markets and Interactive Brokers already offer extended-hours trading for select securities, allowing users to trade before or after the standard U.S. market hours.
This trend is partially driven by the global nature of financial markets and the popularity of cryptocurrencies, which trade continuously across time zones. For traditional equities, 24X’s model could mark a shift toward aligning with these global dynamics, giving investors more opportunities to react to breaking news and economic data.
While the move could enhance market accessibility and liquidity, it may also present challenges. Critics of extended trading hours point to risks such as thinner volumes and heightened volatility during non-traditional hours. However, proponents argue that technology and global demand are reshaping market expectations, and platforms like 24X are well-positioned to address these needs.
As regulatory approvals progress, the launch of 24X will be closely watched by traders, institutions, and analysts alike. The exchange’s ambitious plan to modernize U.S. equities trading could not only provide greater flexibility for investors but also set the stage for a broader shift in how markets operate globally.
The 24X National Exchange is poised to be a significant step forward, reinforcing the industry’s move toward more accessible and inclusive financial markets.
