Firstrade
Securities announced a partnership with Blue Ocean Technologies to provide
overnight trading for U.S. equities, expanding access beyond traditional market
hours. The service is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2025.

Firstrade Introduces
Overnight Trading

The
integration will enable Firstrade clients to execute trades between 8:00 PM and
4:00 AM ET, Sunday through Thursday, utilizing Blue Ocean’s alternative trading
system (BOATS). This development adds to Firstrade’s existing commission-free
trading offerings.

“By partnering with Blue Ocean, we are breaking the barriers of traditional trading
hours and providing our clients with unparalleled access to the markets,”
said John Liu, CEO of Firstrade.
” This offering is the latest example of our commitment to innovation and
our mission to empower users with the tools and opportunities they need to
succeed.”

The service
comes as global markets and news events increasingly influence U.S. equity
trading during overnight hours. Blue Ocean Technologies’ trading system
facilitates transactions during periods when traditional exchanges are closed.

Importantly,
these plans should not come as a surprise, as Firstrade
announced them back in November last year, stating that the service would
launch in early 2025.

The company
has implemented a waitlist system for clients interested in accessing the
overnight trading feature when it launches. Firstrade notes that extended-hours
trading carries specific considerations, including potentially reduced
liquidity and wider spreads compared to regular trading sessions.

“We are
thrilled to partner with Firstrade to bring overnight trading to their
platform,” said Brian Hyndman, President and CEO of Blue Ocean
Technologies. “Our mission at Blue Ocean is to provide investors with
opportunities to trade U.S. stocks at their own time, and this partnership with
Firstrade aligns with our vision of a more connected and responsive trading
ecosystem.”

Round-the-Clock Access

The New
York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has been evaluating the possibility of
round-the-clock stock trading, drawing inspiration from the cryptocurrency
markets. To gauge investor sentiment, the NYSE has launched a survey to assess
interest and concerns related to extended trading hours.

Recent data
suggests growing demand for trading beyond standard market sessions. A March
report from Robinhood revealed that up to 25% of trading activity takes place
outside traditional hours. Robinhood introduced its 24-hour trading service
last year, allowing investors to place limit orders from Sunday evening to
Friday evening. The NYSE is now exploring the possibility of enabling full
trading, including market orders.

Several
firms have already embraced this trend. Interactive Brokers offers 24/5 trading
on 3,500 stocks and ETFs, while Webull expanded its trading hours three months
ago in partnership with Blue Ocean Technologies, similar to Firstrade.

Firstrade Expands
Analytical Tools and AI Integration

Firstrade
is enhancing its mobile trading platform by integrating additional research
tools from Trading Central. Investors using the Firstrade app will now have
access to features such as Technical Insight, TC Market Buzz, and thematic
portfolios.

The company
first collaborated with Trading Central in February 2024, initially providing
analytical tools for desktop users. With the latest update, mobile users can
also benefit from these investment insights.

Additionally,
Firstrade has introduced FirstradeGPT, an AI-powered research tool developed in
collaboration with FinChat.io. This new feature offers investors data-driven
insights on global equities and key performance indicators (KPIs) to support
more informed financial decisions.