IEX Group, the upstart private trading venue that launched less than a year ago, plans within a week to seek US regulatory approval to become a full-fledged stock exchange, according to people familiar with the company's plans.

If the Securities and Exchange Commission gives the green light, IEX would be the first major new stock exchange in the US since BATS Global Markets launched an exchange platform in 2010. IEX, which currently operates as a dark pool, hopes to gain full exchange status within a year, the people say.