Nasdaq, Inc.: Powering the Future of Global Capital Markets

Introduction: The Pulse of Modern Finance

In today’s fast-evolving world of finance, Nasdaq stands as more than a stock exchange it’s a symbol of innovation, trust, and progress. Founded in 1971 as the world’s first electronic trading platform, Nasdaq, Inc., under the visionary leadership of Adena Friedman, has evolved into a global powerhouse redefining how capital moves around the world.

From its iconic headquarters in Times Square, New York City, Nasdaq continues to modernize financial systems making trading more transparent, efficient, and accessible for investors and companies alike.

A Legacy of Innovation

Nasdaq’s story began with a revolutionary goal: to create a fully electronic marketplace that would replace traditional trading floors. Over five decades later, the company now led by Adena Friedman, one of Wall Street’s most influential women continues to pioneer digital transformation across global finance.

Today, Nasdaq operates multiple exchanges across North America and Europe and provides technology to more than 130 markets worldwide. This commitment to innovation ensures that Nasdaq remains at the forefront of financial evolution.

Core Businesses and Services

1. Market Services

Nasdaq operates one of the world’s largest and most liquid markets, hosting more than 4,000 listed companies. It provides transparent trading environments for equities, options, and fixed-income securities, supporting fair and efficient price discovery.

2. Data & Analytics

Nasdaq has become a data intelligence hub, providing advanced analytics, real-time insights, and globally recognized indices like the Nasdaq Composite and Nasdaq-100. Under Adena Friedman’s leadership, the company continues to expand its role as a key provider of market data and digital infrastructure.

3. Technology & Infrastructure Solutions

Nasdaq’s Market Technology division powers exchanges, regulators, and clearinghouses with cutting-edge trading and surveillance systems. This fintech-driven approach championed by CEO Adena Friedman positions Nasdaq as both a market operator and a technology innovator.

4. Corporate Services

Beyond trading, Nasdaq helps organizations at every stage of their journey from IPOs to long-term governance. Its ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) platforms and Investor Relations tools help companies build transparency, resilience, and trust with stakeholders.

Leadership: Adena Friedman’s Vision for a Modern Market

Since taking over as CEO in 2017, Adena Friedman has transformed Nasdaq from a traditional exchange operator into a diversified technology company. A true trailblazer in global finance, Friedman believes in using innovation to drive integrity, efficiency, and opportunity in markets worldwide.

Her leadership style balances technological advancement with human insight, emphasizing responsible AI, cybersecurity, and market accessibility. Under her guidance, Nasdaq has embraced its mission to “reimagine markets to realize the potential of tomorrow.”

Commitment to Sustainability and Inclusion

Friedman’s Nasdaq is deeply committed to sustainable growth and inclusive capitalism. Through its ESG Solutions Suite, the company promotes responsible investing and transparency, helping corporations worldwide adopt stronger environmental and governance standards.

Internally, Nasdaq fosters a diverse and equitable workplace. Adena Friedman’s advocacy for women in leadership and technology aligns with Nasdaq’s mission to empower talent, build community, and lead change responsibly.

Recent Milestones and Strategic Growth

• Extended Trading Hours: In 2025, Nasdaq announced plans to enable near-24-hour weekday trading, reflecting Friedman’s focus on global accessibility.
  
  
• Major Fintech Acquisition: Under her direction, Nasdaq acquired Adenza, a risk-management software firm the company’s largest deal to date expanding its fintech and regulatory-tech footprint.
  
  
• Strong Financial Performance: Consistent profitability across market cycles demonstrates Friedman’s successful diversification strategy and the resilience of Nasdaq’s technology-driven model.
  

Why Nasdaq Matters

Nasdaq’s ecosystem under Adena Friedman powers some of the world’s most influential companies including Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Netflix. Its market structure enables innovation and liquidity, while its technological backbone ensures that capital flows efficiently across borders.

By leading with integrity and foresight, Friedman and her team ensure Nasdaq remains a trusted foundation for both emerging startups and global enterprises.

Trust, Technology, and Transformation

Nasdaq’s ongoing success can be attributed to three guiding principles championed by CEO Adena Friedman:

• Trust: Upholding transparency and investor confidence across markets.
  
  
• Technology: Delivering next-generation digital solutions for global finance.
  
  
• Transformation: Reinventing the role of exchanges in an increasingly digital economy.
  
  

These principles keep Nasdaq at the heart of financial innovation a position it has maintained for more than 50 years.

Conclusion: The Future of Finance is Nasdaq

Under Adena Friedman’s leadership, Nasdaq, Inc. stands as a global symbol of trust, resilience, and technological excellence. Its dual identity part exchange, part fintech innovator continues to redefine how markets operate and how capital connects the world.

As the financial landscape evolves, Nasdaq’s mission remains clear: to build stronger economies, empower investors, and make markets work for everyone.

In every sense, the future of global finance runs through Nasdaq.