The era of "Tokenized US Stocks" begins, ushering in a 24-hour trading era for US stock investments.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) recently announced that it is developing a revolutionary tokenized securities trading platform. Investors who were previously limited by trading hours will in the future be able to trade tokenized US stocks and ETFs as flexibly as Bitcoin, achieving 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, uninterrupted trading, completely breaking the time constraints of traditional stock markets.

NYSE’s Innovative Layout: Multi-Chain Settlement and Tokenization System

According to official statements, the platform integrates NYSE’s Pillar matching engine—a proven core trading matching system—and combines blockchain-based post-trade processing infrastructure. The breakthrough lies in supporting multi-chain settlement and asset custody, meaning investors can participate in trading seamlessly regardless of their blockchain ecosystem.

Once approved by regulatory authorities, the trading platform will support two major asset categories. First is “tokenized stocks” with the same legal effect as traditional stocks—converting existing US stocks into digital form; second is emerging assets issued natively in the form of “digital securities.” It is worth emphasizing that even if stocks are tokenized, investors’ dividend distributions and voting rights will remain unchanged, ensuring the integrity of investment rights during the tokenization process.

Technological Innovation Supports 24/7 Trading

The realization of 24-hour trading relies heavily on comprehensive upgrades to clearing infrastructure. Intercontinental Exchange (ICE, NYSE’s parent company) considers this a key part of its digital strategy, aiming to create the technical conditions for the market to move toward round-the-clock trading.

Particularly noteworthy is that ICE has formed strategic partnerships with BNY Mellon and Citibank, jointly promoting the practical application of “tokenized deposits” within clearinghouses. This innovation allows clearing members to manage funds outside banking hours and meet margin requirements across different jurisdictions and time zones—undoubtedly a major convenience for global investors.

Regulatory and Banking Collaborations Drive Market Transformation

Lynn Martin, President of NYSE Group, stated: “For over two centuries, NYSE has led market innovation. Now, we are guiding the industry toward a ‘fully on-chain’ solution. Under the strictest regulatory standards and security measures, we will perfectly blend market trust with cutting-edge technology.” These words reflect the exchange’s firm commitment to balancing regulatory compliance with technological advancement.

In fact, NYSE’s assessment of extending trading hours is backed by a solid market foundation. As early as April 2024, NYSE’s internal team conducted market research on “24/7 trading,” which clearly showed that traditional investors’ demand for “trading anytime, anywhere” is continuously growing, providing strong market support for the development of the tokenized securities platform.

Opportunities and Outlook for Investors

For market participants investing in US stocks, this innovation is highly significant. The traditional US stock market is limited by New York trading hours (9:30 AM to 4:00 PM EST), causing time zone challenges for Asian and European investors. The launch of the tokenized securities platform will fundamentally change this landscape, allowing global investors to trade US stocks at their most convenient times, greatly enhancing market liquidity and participation. Additionally, the faster settlement and lower costs brought by tokenization will directly benefit every investor.

This digital transformation of the US stock market not only signifies a deep integration of traditional finance with blockchain technology but also indicates that the future of global financial markets will evolve toward “no time difference, high efficiency, and full inclusiveness.” The era of investing in US stocks is officially entering a new chapter.