Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE), a leading global provider of financial market technology and data services, and OKX, one of the world's largest blockchain technology companies, today announced the establishment of a joint venture. The partnership is designed to create new infrastructure for tokenized assets and digital-native financial products, marking a significant step in bridging traditional finance with the digital asset ecosystem.
ICE operates critical global capital market infrastructure, while OKX serves over 120 million users with cryptocurrency trading and wallet services. Subject to regulatory approvals, the joint venture will seek to operate as a U.S. registered broker-dealer and futures commission merchant (FCM). This would enable OKX users in the United States and abroad to access ICE futures markets and tokenized stock markets on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The venture is owned equally by both parties at 50% each and will also explore blockchain-enabled, compliant adjacent market opportunities.
50/50 Ownership with Co-Chair Andrew Cuomo
The joint venture will be co-chaired by 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 working with OKX since 2023. In a statement, Cuomo said: “The next chapter in financial markets will depend on innovation and government regulation working in tandem. 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.” He added that he is particularly excited about blockchain’s potential to democratize finance and bring basic financial services to underserved populations.
Trabue Bland, Senior Vice President of ICE Futures Exchange business, commented: “The ICE-OKX joint venture is a step toward building the infrastructure that global markets will run on for decades to come. ICE’s global benchmark products and regulated market technology are trusted by institutions and traders worldwide. Through this partnership with OKX, we are extending that reach to OKX’s 120 million retail trading users.”
First Major Move After Strategic Investment
The formation of this joint venture represents the first major initiative following ICE’s strategic investment in OKX in March of this year. ICE, a Fortune 500 company, provides fintech and data services across major asset classes and operates exchanges including the NYSE, futures and options exchanges, and clearing houses. OKX, a fintech company widely known for its global cryptocurrency trading platform and on-chain wallet, has its Americas headquarters in San Jose, California, with offices in Dubai, São Paulo, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other locations.
Over the past few years, OKX has established itself as one of the most compliant and licensed crypto companies globally, holding licenses in the United States, UAE, European Economic Area, Singapore, Australia, and other markets. OKX regularly publishes monthly Proof of Reserves reports to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and security. The joint venture with ICE is expected to further bridge traditional finance and digital asset markets, offering global investors a broader range of trading opportunities.
