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The boundaries between traditional finance and blockchain technology are continuing to blur, and Chainlink is now taking a major step toward reshaping how US equities are accessed and traded worldwide. By introducing on-chain market data for US stocks and exchange-traded funds that runs nearly around the clock, Chainlink is positioning itself at the center of the next phase of financial market evolution.

This move could significantly accelerate the migration of traditional assets onto blockchain-based platforms and unlock broader global participation in the US equity market, which is valued at roughly $80 trillion.

Bringing Wall Street Closer to Crypto Markets

Chainlink has announced the launch of its new  24/5 US Equities Streams,  an expansion of its existing market data infrastructure designed specifically for crypto-native platforms. The new service delivers real-time pricing, bid and ask data, and trading volumes for major US stocks and ETFs, operating 24 hours a day, five days a week.

Unlike traditional US stock markets, which are constrained by fixed trading hours, blockchain markets never sleep. Chainlink’s latest data streams aim to bridge this mismatch by enabling continuous access to equity data beyond standard Wall Street sessions, allowing tokenized stocks and equity-based derivatives to function more naturally within decentralized ecosystems.

Why US Equities Have Lagged Behind On-Chain

Despite the explosive growth of on-chain assets, US equities remain largely underrepresented in blockchain markets. One of the core challenges has been fragmented trading sessions and the lack of continuous, high-quality market data that reflects real-world price discovery outside regular market hours.

Chainlink argues that as on-chain finance matures and global demand increases, especially through instruments like equity perpetual contracts and tokenized ETFs, the need for reliable, uninterrupted equity data becomes unavoidable. Without it, on-chain markets struggle to reflect true market conditions and attract institutional-grade liquidity.

Crypto Platforms Racing Toward Always-On Trading

The introduction of 24/5 equity data arrives at a time when both crypto companies and traditional exchanges are competing to offer near-continuous access to US markets. Investor demand for US stocks, ETFs, and commodities has surged globally, pushing platforms to rethink decades-old market schedules.

Chainlink has confirmed that several crypto protocols are already using its new data streams, enabling traders to interact with blockchain-based versions of US equities during extended hours. This trend aligns with the broader push by exchanges to make global markets more accessible regardless of geography or time zone.

Platforms such as BYDFi, which focuses on offering advanced trading tools for global users, are well positioned to benefit from this shift. As tokenized equities and equity-linked derivatives gain traction, access to accurate and continuous market data becomes a critical foundation for exchanges aiming to serve both retail and professional traders.

Traditional Exchanges Embrace Blockchain Infrastructure

The momentum toward round-the-clock trading is not limited to crypto-native firms. Major financial institutions are now exploring blockchain-based systems to modernize settlement and trading infrastructure.

The New York Stock Exchange recently revealed that it is developing a new platform designed for 24/7 trading and instant settlement of tokenized stocks and ETFs. This signals a growing acknowledgment from traditional finance that blockchain technology may be essential for the future of capital markets.

Regulators Begin to Consider 24/7 Markets

Regulatory bodies in the United States are also paying close attention to the idea of always-on markets. Both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have publicly discussed the possibility of allowing extended or continuous trading hours.

Earlier this year, the CFTC requested public feedback on the potential risks and implications of 24/7 commodities trading, highlighting that regulatory frameworks may eventually evolve to support nonstop market activity.

A First Step Toward Fully On-Chain Global Markets

Chainlink has emphasized that its 24/5 US equities data stream is only the beginning. The company plans to expand coverage to additional asset classes, international markets, and potentially full 24/7 on-chain equity data in the future.

As blockchain infrastructure continues to integrate with traditional finance, services like Chainlink’s data streams could play a foundational role in enabling tokenized assets, decentralized trading, and global market access. For exchanges such as BYDFi and other crypto trading platforms, this evolution opens the door to new products, deeper liquidity, and a more seamless trading experience that operates beyond the limits of traditional market hours.

The transition may still be in its early stages, but the direction is clear: financial markets are moving toward a world where access is continuous, borders matter less, and blockchain data becomes a core pillar of global trading infrastructure.