London Stock Exchange Considers 24/7 Trading – Is Crypto Disrupting Traditional Markets?

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) might ditch its 9-to-5 schedule—and crypto’s sleepless markets are to blame. Sources say the 300-year-old institution is exploring round-the-clock trading to compete with digital asset exchanges.

Wall Street’s gonna hate this.

Traditional markets have clung to banker’s hours since the 18th century. But as Bitcoin and Ethereum trade nonstop, pressure mounts on legacy players to adapt—or bleed liquidity to crypto venues. The LSE’s move could spark a domino effect across global exchanges.

‘We’re witnessing the institutional FOMO phase of crypto adoption,’ says a Goldman alum turned DeFi founder. ‘Tradfi’s finally realizing money never sleeps—even if their traders want to.’

The irony? London’s square-mile suits spent years dismissing crypto as a ‘fraud.’ Now they’re copy-pasting its playbook. (Next up: LSE launches a tokenized FTSE 100—with 100x more red tape than Uniswap.)

One hedge fund VP puts it bluntly: ‘This isn’t innovation—it’s survival.’

Equities May Be a Small Earner, But LSE’s Role Remains Crucial

While the London Stock Exchange earns most of its revenue from selling financial data, its equities business still plays a symbolic and structural role in the City.

Despite contributing just 2.7% of LSEG’s first-quarter revenue this year, the exchange remains a key gateway for international capital flowing into British companies. Its current hours run from 8am to 4.30pm.

As part of the internal review, the group is examining a range of factors. These include how extended hours would impact trading liquidity, which is currently concentrated during the opening and closing auctions, as well as how dual-listed companies might be affected. Regulatory implications and cost burdens are also under scrutiny.

US Exchanges Push for Longer Hours Amid Global Trading Shift

Other global players are moving in a similar direction. In the US, the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and Cboe Global Markets have each submitted applications to the SEC to extend their hours. These three account for nearly 40% of US equity trading.

Their efforts follow the provisional approval of 24X, a new exchange designed to operate around the clock. However, final approval for overnight trading has been delayed as regulators seek clarity on wider market impacts.

Liquidity Concerns Keep Fund Managers on the Sidelines Despite 24/7 Push

Retail investors have embraced after-hours trading, especially on platforms like Robinhood. However, institutional investors remain cautious. Fund managers have voiced concerns about higher operational costs. In addition, they worry about reduced liquidity and weaker price discovery outside regular trading hours.

In the US, debate over trading hours has persisted for years, especially among West Coast investors who must contend with a 1pm market close. By contrast, Asia’s active trading communities and time zone alignment with US overnight hours give round-the-clock trading models greater relevance.

To enhance its global edge after Brexit, London is considering a crypto-inspired trading approach, which could represent a major change. However, its adoption hinges on whether the advantages surpass the regulatory and operational challenges.