The London Stock Exchange (LSE) plans to launch a special overnight trading platform in early 2027 as financial markets react to the rise of 24/7 crypto trading. Instead of extending its main exchange, the LSE will create a separate place for exchange-traded products (ETPs), letting investors trade outside normal hours. This move answers the growing demand for all-day market access, as tokenized stocks and crypto platforms already offer trading beyond regular exchange times.
According to a report by the Financial Times, the proposed overnight venue will operate from 5:00 p.m. to 7:50 a.m. London time, with a brief pause between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. for end-of-day processing. The exchange’s main market will continue to follow its existing schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Source: ft.com
Instead of opening overnight trading for every listed company, the LSE plans to begin with exchange-traded products linked to UK and US markets. This phased approach is expected to help the exchange manage operational challenges while offering investors greater flexibility outside normal trading hours.
LSE Chief Executive Julia Hoggett said there is increasing interest from retail investors who want access to both UK and international assets across different time zones. London’s location between Asian and North American markets gives it a unique advantage, making overnight trading an attractive option for investors seeking broader market exposure.
The exchange’s plan comes as financial markets continue to adapt to changing investor behaviour. Cryptocurrency markets operate around the clock, allowing traders to buy and sell digital assets at any time. Many retail brokerage platforms have also expanded pre-market and after-hours trading for stocks, narrowing the gap between traditional finance and the always-open crypto market.
Competition is also intensifying among global exchanges. Nasdaq has already announced plans to introduce 24-hour weekday trading in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Other major exchanges, including CME and Cboe, are also exploring longer trading hours to meet growing investor demand.
The rise of tokenized real-world assets is adding further momentum to this shift. Blockchain-based tokenized stocks allow eligible investors to gain exposure to traditional equities while, in many cases, enabling trading beyond the operating hours of the underlying stock exchange. Although the LSE’s proposed platform will remain within the traditional financial system rather than using blockchain infrastructure, both models are driven by the same objective—providing investors with greater access and flexibility.
Recent market data highlights the rapid growth of tokenized equities. Transfers of tokenized stocks reportedly increased by 105% in a single month to $8.41 billion, while the value distributed reached $2.16 billion. The number of holders also climbed above 409,000, reflecting rising interest in blockchain-based investment products.
Several crypto companies have already moved into this space. Backpack recently introduced 24/7 trading for selected US stocks across more than 150 markets and offers Solana-based tokenized versions that investors can transfer between compatible wallets. Binance has also launched bStocks, enabling eligible users to convert supported US shares into tokenized assets backed one-to-one by the underlying securities and tradable around the clock.
NEW: London Stock Exchange plans a separate overnight trading venue in H1 2027, initially listing more than 2,600 exchange-traded products.
The venue will operate from 5 p.m. to 7:50 a.m. while the LSE’s main market keeps its regular trading hours, according to the Financial… pic.twitter.com/rj0M7LNac6
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