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 beginning preparatory work on round-the-clock equity trading, a structure crypto markets have operated under since their inception. The development signals that regulators are at least studying whether traditional stock markets should move toward continuous trading hours rather than the current fixed sessions.

The relevance extends beyond scheduling. Crypto's 24/7 model has long been cited as a structural difference from equities, where overnight gaps can leave positions exposed to news that breaks outside market hours. If U.S. equities were to move in that direction, it could reshape how market participants think about liquidity, settlement, and risk management across asset classes.

What to watch is the pace and scope of any formal proposal. Preparatory work is not rulemaking, and questions around overnight liquidity, staffing, and investor protection would likely shape the debate. For now, the story is one of convergence in market structure rather than an imminent change to trading hours.