SEC to host roundtable on transition to 24-hour US equity trading

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced it will host a public roundtable on 17 September 2026 to examine the transition to 24-hour trading in US equity markets. The event, scheduled for the regulator’s headquarters in Washington, DC, will focus on preparations for overnight trading, operational resiliency, and the associated opportunities and challenges of such an expansion.

SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins stated that the initiative aims to align US markets with continuous trading systems already in place internationally. “We are moving towards a new day – and night – in the US equity markets,” Atkins said, noting the regulator’s intention to balance round-the-clock trading with essential investor and customer protections.

The roundtable will be open to the public and streamed live on SEC.gov, with a recording to be posted at a later date. While specific details regarding the agenda and speaker list have not yet been released, the SEC confirmed that this information will be published prior to the event. In-person attendance may be limited, and all visitors will be subject to security checks.

This regulatory discussion follows recent market activity, including the debut of SpaceX shares on the Nasdaq on 11 June 2026. The high-profile initial public offering, which raised approximately $75 billion, coincided with modest gains in US equity markets, highlighting the continued evolution of the sector.

Members of the public are invited to submit comments electronically or in writing to influence the discussion. Submissions must reference File Number 4-913 and will become part of the public record without redaction of personal identifying information. Comments can be submitted via the Commission’s internet comment form or by email to [email protected].