U.S. Regulators Push 24/7 Markets to Compete Globally

- SEC and CFTC propose round-the-clock trading to boost U.S. market competitiveness. - Initiative addresses risks and prepares for emerging financial trends. In a joint statement on September 5, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced a proposal to introduce 24/7 capital market operations. This initiative aims to align U.S. trading hours with the global economy's nonstop pace and tackle regulatory gaps in innovative financial products. On September 5, Cointelegraph reported that the initiative seeks to enhance capital velocity, a key component that could position U.S. markets to compete more effectively internationally. However, regulators warned of challenges associated with extended trading hours, including heightened exposure to market volatility during overnight sessions and across different time zones. They also noted that a one-size-fits-all approach may be unrealistic, as not all asset classes or market participants are suited for full-time trading. The agencies also emphasized the need for updated regulatory frameworks to govern event contracts and perpetual futures, which are modern derivatives that lack expiration dates and operate in legal and operational gray areas. This effort reflects the SEC and CFTC's intent to adapt their oversight to cutting-edge financial innovations and ensure a robust market infrastructure. As part of future-proofing efforts, the statement outlined a focus on building quantum-resistant architecture. Regulators aim to strengthen cryptographic protocols against potential threats from advancements in quantum computing to safeguard financial systems, alongside military and government infrastructures, from encryption vulnerabilities. This proposal follows a July interagency report released during the Trump administration that outlined a comprehensive strategy for regulating the digital economy. That report tasked federal agencies with streamlining oversight for cryptocurrencies and other emerging markets, setting the stage for ongoing initiatives. To advance discussions, the SEC and CFTC plan to host a public roundtable on September 29, 2025, inviting industry stakeholders to provide input. According to CoinMarketCap on September 5, Bitcoin (BTC) was trading at $25,304 as of 12:00 UTC, with its 24-hour trading volume up 3.1%. Meanwhile, Ethereum (ETH) was trading at $1,608, reflecting a 2.4% boost in trading volume over the same timeframe.