The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission officially announced the holding of a thematic round table on September 17, 2026, dedicated to the potential transition of the American stock market to round-the-clock trading. During the event, participants plan to assess in detail the technical readiness of exchange platforms to organize night sessions, analyze the stability of the existing infrastructure and discuss mechanisms to ensure reliable protection of investors' rights. The chairman of the regulator, Paul Atkins, noted that the expansion of trading hours allows the American stock markets to approach the standards of global platforms operating continuously. At the same time, achieving a balance between the availability of financial instruments and compliance with strict security standards for customers remains a key priority.

This initiative is integrated into the regulator's broader strategy for the comprehensive modernization of market infrastructure, the draft of which was published in early June. The Strategic plan until 2030 provides for the formation of a modern regulatory framework for digital assets and distributed ledger technologies, as well as the optimization of the Commission's internal systems. At the same time, there is a revision of approaches to regulating exchange-traded investment products. Brian Daly, Director of the Investment Management Division, acknowledged the need to adjust the previous policy regarding cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds, stating the transition to a neutral approach in which all complex financial instruments will be evaluated within a single regulatory framework.

In the near future, the Commission intends to present the first comprehensive rules designed specifically for the crypto industry. The new document is expected to include temporary exceptions to the strict registration requirements for individual cryptographic projects, as well as simplified capital raising mechanisms. In addition, the possibility of creating a "safe harbor" regime for certain categories of issuers of digital assets is being considered, which should contribute to the legalization and streamlining of the industry. To ensure a comprehensive analysis, the regulator also opened a public discussion, inviting all interested parties to provide their comments on the economic consequences and operational risks of implementing a 24-hour trading cycle.