Office address: 151 West 42nd Street, Floors 26, 27, 28, New York, NY 10036
Website: nasdaq.com
Year established: 1971
Company type: financial services
Employees: 9,160+
Expertise: capital markets, stock exchange operations, trading technology, investment intelligence, regulatory technology, market surveillance, corporate governance, ESG solutions, investor relations, global indexes
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Adena Friedman (CEO), Tal Cohen and Nelson Griggs (presidents), Oliver Albers (chief product officer), Valerie Bannert-Thurner (chief revenue officer), Stephanie Champion (head of Nasdaq Verafin), Brenda Hoffman (chief technology officer)
Financing status: corporation
Nasdaq is a global technology company based in New York, known for its electronic stock exchange and advanced market platforms. As of 2025, the company supports about 4,000 listings with a total market value near $14 trillion and operates in 38 countries. It offers trading, data, regulatory technology, and corporate solutions that help clients access capital and manage risk.
Nasdaq was founded in 1971 in New York City by the National Association of Securities Dealers. The name stands for National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, highlighting its role as the first electronic stock market in the US.
In its first year, it connected about 500 market makers and handled nearly two billion shares in 2,500 securities.
Unlike traditional exchanges with trading floors, the company used computers and data centers to share quotes electronically. This new system gave more people the same access to market information, which helped level the playing field for investors. By the 1980s, it introduced real-time “Level 2” data which showed all market makers’ quotes and made trading more transparent.
The company became the main place for over-the-counter trades and attracted technology companies like Intel, Apple, and Microsoft. The 1990s saw its reputation grow as it became known as the “stock market for the next 100 years.” During the dot-com boom, the Nasdaq Composite index and the QQQ ETF became household names for investors.
Nasdaq became a public company and listed its own shares under the ticker NDAQ in 2005. The company continued to improve trading technology and market access, helping reduce costs and boost liquidity.
In 2021, Nasdaq won SEC approval for a new rule on board diversity. The rule encourages listed companies to add more women and minorities to their boards or explain why they do not.
Nasdaq offers a wide range of products and services that combine advanced technology with deep market expertise. Some of their solutions include:
The company is also recognized for its focus on technology innovation and market transparency. Their platforms help clients build trust, improve efficiency, and support sustainable growth.
Nasdaq states its purpose is to support inclusive growth and prosperity through technology. The company says that their work aims to help unlock human potential for global communities and economies. It highlights three main pillars that guide its approach:
According to the company, its culture focuses on removing barriers and building inclusion through global networks and partnerships. It lists several benefits for employees:
The company also says that it has built a workplace where every employee can contribute and feel they belong. It reports that inclusive practices and shared values shape hiring, recognition, and daily operations across its global teams.
Adena T. Friedman is Nasdaq’s chair and CEO, leading the company since 2017 and chairing the board since 2023. She was also previously president and COO. Before this, Friedman worked at The Carlyle Group.
Friedman holds degrees from Williams College and Vanderbilt University and serves on several boards, including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The company's leadership team includes:
This leadership team oversees Nasdaq’s strategic initiatives and day-to-day management across its primary markets, technology platforms, and financial services.
In October 2025, Nasdaq 100 futures dropped by one percent as global markets reacted to rising US–China trade tensions. This real-time data helps the company’s clients and investors understand market swings and manage risk during uncertain periods. Although these shifts may not last, it hopes that timely insights will help clients make better decisions in the future.
A month later, Nasdaq 100 futures held steady after a short period of dip-buying lost momentum. These shifts show that while market reactions can be brief and unpredictable, the company’s steady data and support remain vital for investors and the financial community.
Professional perspectives: For more expert insights and industry interviews, visit InvestmentNews’ In the Nasdaq video series.
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