Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE), a global leader in financial market technology and data services, and OKX, one of the world's largest blockchain technology companies, today announced the formation of a joint venture to build next-generation infrastructure for tokenized and digital-native financial products. The partnership is designed to bridge traditional finance and digital asset markets, fostering innovation alongside regulatory compliance.
Joint Venture Structure and Regulatory Framework
Upon obtaining relevant regulatory approvals, the joint venture is expected to operate as a U.S. registered broker-dealer and futures commission merchant (FCM), enabling OKX users in the United States and abroad to access ICE's futures markets and the New York Stock Exchange's (NYSE) tokenized stock market. The venture is equally owned (50/50) by both parties. It will be co-chaired by representatives from ICE and former New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. Cuomo, who served as the 56th Governor of New York, New York State Attorney General, and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, has been collaborating with OKX since 2023.
"The next chapter of financial markets will depend on how well innovation and government regulation can work together," Cuomo said. "This partnership brings together OKX's world-class blockchain technology with ICE's trusted market infrastructure to help build a more modern, transparent, and resilient financial system for the future. I am particularly excited about the social impact that blockchain technology can deliver—democratizing finance and making basic financial services accessible to underserved populations."
Trabue Bland, Senior Vice President of ICE Futures Exchange Business, added: "The ICE-OKX joint venture is a step toward building the infrastructure that global markets will rely on for decades to come. ICE's global benchmark products and regulated market technology have earned the trust of institutions and traders worldwide. Through this partnership with OKX, we are working to extend that reach to OKX's 120 million retail trading users."
Background and Strategic Significance
Intercontinental Exchange, a Fortune 500 company, designs, builds, and operates digital networks connecting people to opportunity. It provides fintech and data services across major asset classes. ICE operates the world's largest energy and environmental products trading and clearing markets, and its exchange network includes the New York Stock Exchange. Its fixed income, data services, and execution businesses offer information, analytics, and platforms; its mortgage technology division is transforming the entire lifecycle of U.S. housing finance.
OKX is a fintech company best known for its global cryptocurrency exchange and on-chain wallet marketplace. OKX has processed trillions of dollars in transactions for over 120 million users worldwide. The company has regional offices in San Jose (California), Dubai, São Paulo, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, Australia, and Europe. Over the past several years, OKX has built one of the most comprehensive compliance frameworks in the crypto industry, holding licenses in the U.S., UAE, EEA, Singapore, Australia, and other markets. It publishes monthly Proof of Reserves reports to demonstrate transparency and security.
The formation of this joint venture is the first major move following ICE's strategic investment in OKX in March. By combining ICE's regulated market infrastructure with OKX's blockchain technology, the partnership has the potential to open new pathways for the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets.
