US stock exchanges to launch overnight trading hours starting December

US stock exchanges will soon offer extended trading hours through a new overnight session running from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. This new schedule officially begins on December 6.

Purpose and Challenges

The shift aims to draw more foreign investors and help traditional stock markets compete directly with 24-hour crypto markets. Even so, big institutional investors hold serious worries about market liquidity and higher risks during these late hours. Past trading data shows that large institutions may not participate much during the night session.

Context

Stock exchanges traditionally close for trading at the end of the standard business day, but global financial activity never truly stops. Allowing round-the-clock or overnight access reflects how modern technology and digital assets like cryptocurrencies are changing what investors expect from traditional financial markets.