Source: Cointelegraph | Category: Finance
The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) is preparing to launch round-the-clock equity trading by 2027, the Financial Times reported, marking a fundamental shift for Europe’s largest exchange operator as it confronts growing competition from cryptocurrency markets and tokenized asset platforms that operate 24/7.
The proposed overnight session would extend trading hours beyond the current 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM local window, initially targeting international investors in Asian and American time zones who currently route orders through alternative venues or wait for London’s open. LSEG CEO David Schwimmer has previously identified continuous trading as a strategic priority to defend market share.
“The rise of tokenized equities and crypto markets that never close is forcing traditional exchanges to adapt or risk disintermediation,” said a senior equities analyst at a European investment bank. “If investors can trade Apple or Tesla tokenized on a blockchain at 2 AM, they’ll question why they can’t do the same on the LSE.”
The technical overhaul would require coordination with clearing houses, settlement systems, and market makers across multiple jurisdictions. LSEG’s Turquoise Plato platform already offers extended-hours trading for select European equities, but a full overnight session for the main order book would be a first for a major European exchange.
Crypto markets have long touted 24/7 availability as a core advantage. Tokenized equity platforms such as Backed Finance and Ondo Finance now offer blockchain-based representations of U.S. and European stocks that trade continuously on decentralized exchanges, albeit with significantly lower liquidity than primary listings.
U.S. exchanges have also explored extended hours. Nasdaq and NYSE offer pre-market and after-hours sessions, while 24 Exchange, a new SEC-registered venue backed by Point72 and Citadel Securities, plans to launch round-the-clock U.S. equity trading pending regulatory approval.
LSEG’s timeline suggests a phased approach, with testing beginning in 2026 and full overnight operations targeted for 2027. The exchange operator must secure approval from the UK Financial Conduct Authority and coordinate with Euroclear and LCH for clearing and settlement.
Source: Cointelegraph
