The 24/7 blockchain trading revolution: NYSE prepares its biggest regulatory transformation

The New York Stock Exchange is leading a fundamental transformation in global trading by announcing the development of a new blockchain-based platform. This project marks a historic milestone: it will enable investors to trade tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds seamlessly, 24 hours a day, with near-instant settlement. The initiative reflects NYSE and its parent company, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), commitment to fully modernize market infrastructure and respond to the growing global demand for more accessible U.S. assets.

This change is much more than a simple technological upgrade: it represents the convergence of traditional finance and the blockchain ecosystem, offering millions of international investors access to markets that historically operated only during specific trading hours.

How Will This Revolutionize the Trading of New Digital Assets?

The new platform will integrate ICE’s Pillar trading engine with advanced post-trading systems powered by blockchain. A key element is its ability to support multiple blockchains, allowing transactions to be financed and settled in real time using stablecoins. This would eliminate the current T+1 settlement cycle that has dominated U.S. markets for decades.

Tokenized stocks function as digital representations of traditional shares issued directly on blockchains. For investors, this means simultaneous access to three key benefits: 24/7 trading, rapid settlement, and fractional ownership of assets that were previously difficult to divide. These features particularly open doors for investors in different time zones who previously could not operate during Wall Street’s peak hours.

The platform requires regulatory approval and would support a new NYSE venue specifically designed for tokenized securities, solidifying New York’s position as a hub of financial innovation.

Key Advantages of 24/7 Trading for Global Investors

NYSE’s move aligns with a broader industry push to extend trading access. In October 2024, NYSE had already announced plans to request SEC approval to extend trading hours until 10 p.m. on weekdays. Nasdaq simultaneously revealed plans to implement 24-hour trading during the week, signaling an industry shift toward truly continuous markets.

For global investors, this removes a historic barrier: the need to wake up at inconvenient hours or miss trading opportunities in U.S. markets. This is especially valuable for funds, asset managers, and retail investors in Asia, Europe, and other regions.

ICE and NYSE Advance Toward Instant On-Chain Settlement

ICE has positioned this initiative as central to its digital transformation strategy. The company is building fully on-chain clearing infrastructure, preparing support for 24/7 trading, and integrating tokenized collateral into its core operations.

A particularly innovative aspect is the collaboration with systematically important banks like BNY and Citibank. These institutions are developing tokenized deposit solutions that would allow market participants to manage liquidity even outside traditional banking hours. This addresses a longstanding issue: access to cash outside of trading hours.

Lynn Martin, President of the NYSE Group, stated that the exchange’s goal is to lead the industry’s transformation toward fully on-chain solutions while maintaining robust regulatory standards. ICE executives described this project as fundamental to creating next-generation infrastructure for trading, clearing, custody, and capital formation in the era of truly global finance.

This evolution positions New York not only as a custodian of traditional markets but as a pioneer in adopting technologies that democratize global access to U.S. capital markets.