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 equally owned venture (50% each) will, upon receiving relevant regulatory approvals, operate as a U.S. registered broker-dealer and futures commission merchant (FCM), creating a critical bridge between traditional finance and digital asset markets.
Joint Venture Structure and Regulatory Direction
ICE is a premier provider of financial market technology and data services, powering the operation of global capital markets. OKX is one of the largest blockchain technology firms, serving over 120 million users worldwide. The joint venture will enable OKX users in the United States and abroad to access ICE's futures markets and the New York Stock Exchange's (NYSE) tokenized equity markets. Additionally, the partners will explore compliant, blockchain-enabled adjacent market opportunities to further bridge traditional finance and digital assets.
The 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 collaborating with OKX since 2023.
Executive Perspectives: Cuomo and Bland
Cuomo stated: “The next chapter of financial markets will be defined by how well innovation and government regulation can work together. 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 societal impact blockchain technology can have—democratizing finance and bringing essential financial services 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 are trusted by institutions and traders around the world. Through our collaboration with OKX, we are extending that reach to OKX's 120 million retail trading users.”
The formation of this joint venture represents the first major action following ICE's strategic investment in OKX in March of this year, marking a substantive phase in the partnership.
Synergy Between Industry Giants: ICE and OKX
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds, and operates digital networks connecting people to opportunity. ICE provides financial technology and data services across major asset classes, equipping customers with critical workflow tools that enhance market transparency and operational efficiency. ICE's futures, equity, and options exchanges (including the NYSE) and clearing houses serve investment, financing, and risk management needs. ICE also operates the world's leading energy and environmental commodity trading and clearing markets. Its fixed income, data services, and execution businesses provide information, analytics, and platforms that help clients optimize processes and seize opportunities. Through ICE Mortgage Technology, the company is reshaping the entire U.S. housing finance lifecycle—from initial consumer engagement through loan production, closing, registration, and long-term servicing relationships.
OKX is a fintech company best known for its global cryptocurrency exchange and on-chain wallet and trading marketplace. The company continuously develops technology and applications that modernize money and markets. As one of the world's fastest and most reliable crypto and payment apps, OKX has processed trillions of dollars in transactions for over 120 million users. OKX has its Americas headquarters in San Jose, California, MENA headquarters in Dubai, and regional offices in São Paulo, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, Australia, and Europe. Over the past several years, OKX has emerged as one of the most compliant and licensed crypto companies globally, holding licenses in the United States, UAE, European Economic Area (EEA), Singapore, Australia, and other jurisdictions. OKX remains committed to transparency and security, publishing monthly Proof of Reserves reports.