Alpaca Launches 24/5 Trading for Global Broker API Access

Alpaca’s 24/5 trading service, introduced on May 24, 2025, expands market access. Founder Yoshi Yokokawa aims to create a comprehensive infrastructure for global equity trading platforms that reflect regional regulatory and contextual needs.

The introduction involves Alpaca’s collaboration with various fintechs and brokerages, aiming to simplify extended trading hours. CEO Yoshi Yokokawa and Hakan Bayraksan have emphasized the benefit of this flexibility for global investors. Hakan Bayraksan noted, “We recognized that today’s investors expect market access that fits their lives, not the other way around. Our 24/5 trading solution is engineered to provide that flexibility, offering enterprise-grade performance and simplifying the complexities of round-the-clock trading so our partners can focus on delivering value to their customers.”

Industry experts see Alpaca’s initiative bringing significant changes to market dynamics, aligning with newer trading demands. It can encourage fintechs and exchanges to integrate extended-hour trading, enhancing user experience and engagement.

Potential outcomes include increased financial market fluidity and broader retail access. Historical collaborations with entities like Kraken suggest a positive trend, underlining the initiative’s capacity to streamline global trading activities.

Similar to previous extended trading initiatives, Alpaca’s move reflects existing trends in crypto and derivatives. It offers a brokerage API for broader equities access, a relatively fresh aspect in US retail trading. Yoshi Yokokawa has highlighted, “We first needed to create a globally functioning infrastructure [in 2018] that would enable people outside the U.S. to create platforms similar to Robinhood or Wealthfront that comply with their local regulations and contexts, … regulation and compliance are right and reported in the U.S. because, ultimately, money and securities, as you know, flow to the U.S. if you want to have access to U.S. products. That’s what we do.”

Experts highlight Alpaca’s potential in reshaping global equity access. With the backing of $170M funding, Alpaca’s approach might catalyze fintech innovations, driving the integration of continuous equity access across new regions.