The New York Stock Exchange aims to break one of the last barriers of traditional financial markets: trading hours. The American stock exchange operator has announced the development of a new blockchain-based trading platform, capable of trading tokenized stocks and ETFs 24/7. The project is now in the hands of regulators.
Tokenized Stocks with Instant Settlement
According to the NYSE, the future platform will combine order matching systems with private blockchains to allow almost instant settlement of transactions. Investors can place orders denominated in dollars, finance their positions using stablecoins, and access markets that are open at all times, including weekends.
Unlike some crypto initiatives, the NYSE emphasizes a key point: tokenization will not compromise the rights of shareholders. Holders of tokenized securities will retain access to dividends, voting rights, and governance, just like holders of traditional stocks.
The platform is expected to host both traditional stocks made fungible as tokens and securities issued natively as digital assets. Access will be open to all licensed brokers, following non-discrimination principles in line with the current architecture of financial markets.
A Direct Response to Global Market Pressure
This initiative is part of a broader movement. Financial markets are increasingly globalized, and investors, accustomed to the constant liquidity of cryptocurrencies, are less tolerant of nighttime closures and weekends without trading.
Highly volatile periods, especially during geopolitical or macroeconomic events outside market hours, have highlighted the limitations of the current model. For the NYSE, offering continuous trading is becoming both a competitive necessity and a growth driver.
Blockchain as Infrastructure, not Disruption
The project aligns with the broader digital strategy of its parent company, which is already working to adapt its clearing and settlement systems to operate 24/7. Major challenges include managing liquidity and margin calls outside traditional banking hours.
To address this, the operator is collaborating with major banks to integrate tokenized deposits into its clearinghouses. These tools should allow members to transfer funds, manage collateral, and meet margin requirements continuously, regardless of the time zone.
A Strong Signal for Traditional Finance
The NYSE is not alone in this field. Other American stock exchanges are exploring extended hours or near-permanent models. But the deliberate choice of blockchain marks a further step: tokenization is no longer limited to crypto assets; it is becoming a central component of market infrastructure.
If regulators give the green light, this platform could redefine how stocks are traded globally. For Wall Street, the message is clear: the era of closed markets on weekends may be coming to an end.
