OKX Partners With ICE to Expand Access to Tokenized Markets

TLDR

• OKX and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) formed a joint venture to connect traditional and digital financial markets.
• Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is leading the new market infrastructure initiative.
• The venture plans to operate as a registered broker-dealer and futures commission merchant, subject to approvals.
• OKX’s 120 million users could gain access to ICE futures and NYSE tokenized equity markets.
• ICE and OKX will also explore additional blockchain-enabled financial market opportunities.

OKX and Intercontinental Exchange have formed a joint venture to connect traditional and digital financial markets. The project will seek regulatory approvals to operate as a broker-dealer and futures commission merchant. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is leading the initiative, which will target tokenized equities and futures market access.

OKX and ICE Create New Platform for Market Access

Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, announced the venture with crypto exchange OKX on Monday. The companies said the project will build infrastructure linking blockchain-based markets with traditional financial products.

The venture plans to operate under regulated market structures once it receives approvals. It will function as a registered broker-dealer and futures commission merchant. The companies said the framework will support compliant access to digital and traditional assets.

Trabue Bland, senior vice president at ICE, outlined the project’s objective in a company statement.

The companies stated that the platform will connect ICE market products with OKX’s user base. As a result, eligible users could access futures products and tokenized equity offerings through regulated channels.

The announcement expands cooperation between both firms following earlier agreements. ICE and OKX have continued exploring blockchain-based financial products during the past year.

Cuomo Leads Expansion of Tokenized Market Initiative

Andrew Cuomo is directing the venture after beginning work with OKX in 2023. The former governor also served as New York Attorney General and U.S. Housing Secretary.

Cuomo said the partnership combines blockchain technology with established market infrastructure.

Cuomo said the effort aims to support a more modern and transparent financial system.

The companies said the venture will explore blockchain-enabled market opportunities beyond its initial products. However, its immediate focus remains on regulated access to tokenized equities and futures markets.

OKX currently serves more than 120 million users across global markets. Under the proposal, those users could gain access to ICE futures and NYSE tokenized equity products where permitted.

Earlier this year, ICE and OKX announced plans to introduce tokenized stocks and crypto futures products. At the same time, ICE disclosed a strategic investment in OKX at a $25 billion valuation.

ICE has also maintained investments across the digital asset sector. The company backed Bakkt in earlier years and recently invested $2 billion in Polymarket, valuing the prediction market platform at up to $10 billion.

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