The New York Stock Exchange just announced plans for a new tokenized securities platform, marking a significant shift towards 24/7 global markets.

The Highlights:

• Constant Access: NYSE is moving toward 24/7 trading for U.S. equities and ETFs (outpacing Nasdaq’s 23/5 proposal).

• Better Tech: Trading will feature instant settlement, fractional shares and dollar-based ordering.

• Hybrid Future: The platform will support both tokenized versions of traditional stocks and natively issued digital securities.

• Liquidity: NYSE’s parent company, Intercontinental Exchange, is partnering with BNY and Citi to use tokenized deposits for margin and funding outside traditional banking hours.

Why it matters: By integrating their high-speed Pillar matching engine with blockchain, the NYSE is effectively rebuilding the plumbing of the stock market to deliver unprecedented speed and efficiency. Eliminating the multi-day settlement lag reduces counterparty risk and frees up billions in capital that is currently tied up during the "waiting period" of traditional trades.

Launch is pending SEC approval, as the NYSE must first secure a formal rule change to transition from traditional T+1 settlement to instant, 24/7 blockchain-based trading.