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ICE invested in OKX at a reported $25 billion valuation and secured a board seat.
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The partnership aims to bring tokenized NYSE equities to OKX's 120M+ users.
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Product rollout is targeted for the second half of 2026 pending approvals.
Today, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, has entered an interesting strategic partnership with OKX crypto exchange that includes a minority investment, a board seat, and plans for a joint venture focused on tokenized equities and regulated futures access.
The deal values OKX at $25 Billion and could eventually place Wall Street products directly inside one of the world’s largest crypto platforms. That’s a big development, but not a surprising one because tokenization is the major trend these days.
Wall Street Products Meet Crypto-Native Users
Under the agreement, the two firms will pursue U.S. broker-dealer and futures commission merchant registrations. Once regulatory approvals are secured, OKX’s more than 120 million registered users could gain access to tokenized NYSE-listed equities and ICE futures contracts through the exchange’s existing interface.
Notably, the planned rollout is targeted for the second half of 2026.
For crypto traders accustomed to digital assets, the appeal is obvious. Tokenized equities could offer fractional ownership, near-instant settlement, and broader market access without leaving the platform they already use.
Regulatory Approval Remains The Key Hurdle
Of course, the partnership still depends on regulatory approval. Until broker-dealer and FCM registrations are secured, the venture remains a future roadmap rather than a live product. Nevertheless, both companies appear committed to building infrastructure that connects blockchain-based trading with established financial markets.
Meanwhile, ICE will also license OKX spot crypto pricing data to support its own U.S.-regulated crypto futures products, expanding its presence in digital assets.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first collaboration between the two firms. Earlier in May 2026, OKX launched perpetual futures linked to ICE’s Brent and WTI crude oil benchmarks, offering an early glimpse of how the relationship could evolve.
Consequently, the latest OKX partnership pushes tokenization one step closer to mainstream adoption. By combining ICE’s clearing and regulatory infrastructure with OKX’s global reach, the venture aims to transform the exchange from a pure crypto venue into a broader gateway connecting digital assets and traditional markets.
