The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) plans to introduce 24-hour trading starting early next year, a move aimed at winning back retail investors who have been flocking to crypto exchanges offering continuous trading and tokenized products. The initiative marks a significant shift for the traditional exchange operator, which currently operates on a limited-hours schedule.
Why LSEG is moving now
Retail investors have increasingly turned to crypto platforms that never close. Exchanges like Binance and Coinbase offer round-the-clock access to spot and derivatives markets, along with tokenized versions of stocks, bonds, and other assets. LSEG's current trading day runs roughly from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. London time — a window that doesn't suit everyone. The new 24-hour model is a direct response to that competitive pressure.
What this means for retail investors
For individual traders, the change means more flexibility. They'll be able to react to overnight news, trade after their day jobs, and manage positions without waiting for the opening bell. But 24-hour trading also brings risks: thinner liquidity during off-peak hours, wider spreads, and the potential for more volatile price swings. LSEG hasn't yet detailed how it will handle those challenges.
The crypto competition
Crypto firms have been eating into traditional exchanges' retail market share. Tokenized offerings — where real-world assets are represented on a blockchain — let investors trade fractions of stocks or ETFs at any hour, often with lower fees. LSEG's move is an acknowledgment that the old model no longer holds the same appeal for a generation of traders raised on always-on apps.
LSEG says it will roll out the extended hours in early 2027. The exact start date, trading rules, and any changes to settlement cycles haven't been announced. The exchange is expected to release more details in the coming months. For now, the message is clear: traditional markets are adapting to a world that never sleeps.
