As a leading technology platform powering the world’s economies, Nasdaq’s focus is on serving as the trusted fabric of the financial system. That means we are Future Forward – architecting the world’s modern markets, powering the innovation economy, and building trust in the financial system. This past year reinforced our conviction that innovation is not about reacting to disruption, but about designing durable solutions the global financial system can depend on over time.

Creating a Platform that Powers the Financial System

Across the financial ecosystem, rising complexity has become a defining challenge for our clients. By strengthening market systems and the technologies that support them, we help institutions operate with greater confidence, resilience, and efficiency, reinforcing the conditions that underpin healthy and inclusive markets. We are a critical part of the foundation of the financial system and are committed to protecting its integrity.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is amplifying the value of those foundations by supporting our ability to help clients manage risk, automate complex processes, and make better decisions in real time. As complexity rises, the demand for mission-critical solutions grows – and that is exactly where we are focused. We are well-positioned for growth in the AI era. At the same time, we continue to advance market modernization through a broad set of innovations shaping the future of global markets. This includes the evolution toward always‑on trading models, the expansion of asset classes, greater cross‑border connectivity, and the continued migration of market infrastructure to the cloud. Together with AI, these capabilities are enabling markets that are more accessible, more resilient, and better aligned with the global economy they serve. Nasdaq is helping shape this next chapter by modernizing the financial system in ways that support growth and confidence for years to come.

Advancing a Sustainable and Resilient Global Economy

Sustainability is embedded in the work we do. We support direct investment in innovation, improve transparency through better disclosure, and scale the infrastructure that makes climate solutions viable on a global scale. In 2025, through our sustainability solutions – spanning advisory services, analytics, indexes, and reporting tools – we helped companies and investors navigate evolving requirements with clarity and confidence.
In carbon markets and carbon removal technology, we built infrastructure that is trusted, transparent, and designed for longterm scalability – the same principles that underpin every market we operate.

We continued our sustainability commitments by procuring 100% renewable electricity for our global office and data center portfolios in 2025. We advanced our climate strategy by reducing our environmental footprint, strengthening our governance foundation, and continuing to support clients as they strive to achieve their decarbonization goals. As we continue working toward Nasdaq’s carbon abatement and net‑zero targets, we are proud to have achieved carbon neutrality for the seventh year, a milestone that reflects where we’re headed as an organization.

Empowering People and Communities for Long-Term Value

Our people are fundamental to Nasdaq’s success and to the role we play at the center of the global financial system. Their expertise, judgment, and commitment drive our ability to operate resilient markets, serve clients through complexity, and innovate responsibly. We remain focused on fostering a culture where people feel a sense of belonging, are supported in their development, and are equipped with the skills needed to lead in a rapidly evolving technological and market environment.

Investing in our workforce goes beyond attracting top talent – it requires continuous support and development. We are focused on building the capabilities our business and our clients will need in the years ahead, from technology and data expertise to leadership, risk management, and regulatory understanding. By empowering our teams to grow alongside the markets we serve, we strengthen our ability to deliver durable, longterm value.

Beyond our organization, we recognize that healthy markets depend on healthy communities. Through our purpose-driven initiatives, we are working to expand access to financial opportunity, support economic mobility, and contribute to more resilient local economies around the world. Whether through education, workforce development, or partnerships that broaden participation in the financial system, we aim to ensure that the benefits of progress extend beyond Nasdaq and into the communities that markets are meant to serve.

Looking to the Future

As we look ahead, our commitment remains clear: to advance sustainable growth, deliver transparent, measurable impact, and create long-term value that endures beyond the next cycle. The choices we make today – the technologies we modernize, the infrastructure we strengthen, the talent we cultivate – are investments in a future that is more secure and connected for all our stakeholders.

— Adena Friedman, Chair & CEO, Nasdaq 

Read the Full 2025 Sustainability & TCFD Report