SEC Looks to Approve 24/7 Blockchain-Based Stock Trading

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is pushing forward with a restructuring of federal market rules that would allow American stocks to be traded around the clock on approved blockchain platforms, a move that could fundamentally change how equity markets operate.

From Market Hours to Always-On Trading

The SEC is preparing an "innovation exemption," a regulatory carve-out that would let publicly traded stocks like Apple ($AAPL), Tesla ($TSLA), and Nvidia ($NVDA) trade as blockchain tokens around the clock, in fractional sizes, with near-instant settlement. The exemption is designed to create a lighter compliance path for tokenized representations of public equities, allowing 24/7 trading and fractional ownership.

Known as tokenized stocks, the digital instruments track conventional shares but trade on blockchain networks, a development that analysts and lawyers say could reshape equity markets and intensify competition with traditional brokerages. Platforms such as @Solana and @Base, which already underpin much of decentralized finance, are among those positioned to host such activity.

The new model could enable 24/7 trading and instant settlement, thereby increasing liquidity and reducing transaction costs. However, some regulators and Wall Street firms warn that allowing tokenized stock trading could create new risks for investors and the financial system, depending on how the rules are structured.

Wall Street Already Moving

On April 17, 2026, the SEC approved with immediate effectiveness the New York Stock Exchange's proposed rule change (SR-NYSE-2026-17) that allows tokenized securities to be listed and traded on the NYSE. The new venue will use private blockchain networks to enable instant settlement, dollar-denominated orders, and stablecoin-based funding, while preserving traditional shareholder rights such as dividends and governance.

The broader push is led by SEC Chair Paul Atkins, who took over under the Trump administration with an explicit mandate to reposition the U.S. as the primary jurisdiction for tokenized finance. As part of that effort, the SEC also proposed rescinding Rule 611 and Rule 610(e), two longstanding National Market System rules that govern trade-throughs and locked quotes. Scrapping the trade-through rule could remove a major obstacle for equities trading on blockchain networks.

The market for tokenized stocks is currently valued at more than $6.34 billion, according to data provider CoinMarketCap. With regulators, exchanges, and crypto infrastructure providers all moving in the same direction, the era of fixed market hours may be approaching its end.

Sources:
Benzinga: 24/7 Stock Trading Coming? SEC Reportedly Nears Landmark Crypto Rule Shift
Free Writings and Perspectives: NYSE Rule Change Enabling Trading of Tokenized Securities
CryptoSlate: SEC Targets 20-Year-Old Rule Standing Between Wall Street and Blockchain Trading