ICE and OKX launch 50-50 JV to link users to tokenized equities
ICE and OKX formed a 50-50 joint venture to seek U.S. broker-dealer and FCM registration and connect OKX’s 120 million users to ICE futures and NYSE tokenized equities, pending approval.
Intercontinental Exchange and crypto exchange OKX announced a 50-50 joint venture on Monday to pursue U.S. broker-dealer and futures commission merchant (FCM) registration and to give OKX’s users access to ICE futures markets and NYSE tokenized equity products, subject to regulatory approval.
If regulators approve, the entity will operate as a U.S.-registered broker-dealer and FCM. The companies describe the venture as infrastructure for tokenized and digitally native financial products and say it will also pursue other regulatory-compliant, blockchain-enabled market opportunities.
The partnership builds on ICE’s strategic investment in OKX announced in March 2026 and creates a closer operational link between ICE, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, and OKX, a global crypto platform with about 120 million users.
Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor and a co-chair of the new entity, commented: ‘This partnership brings together OKX’s world-class blockchain technology and ICE’s trusted market infrastructure to help build a more modern, transparent, and resilient financial system for the future.’ He added that blockchain can expand access to financial services for underserved populations.
Trabue Bland, senior vice president of futures exchanges at ICE, framed the venture in institutional terms: ‘ICE’s global benchmarks and regulated market technology have earned the trust of institutions and traders everywhere, and now, through our partnership with OKX, we are working towards extending that reach to OKX’s 120 million retail traders.’ ICE operates widely used financial benchmarks and clearing infrastructure that provide regulated market rails.
OKX holds regulatory licenses in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Australia and the European Economic Area. The exchange publishes monthly proof-of-reserves reports and maintains regional headquarters in San Jose for the Americas and in Dubai for the Middle East. The joint venture will draw on that global presence to reach customers in multiple jurisdictions.
The companies did not provide a timeline for regulatory filings, product launches or the scope of tokenized equity listings. Final operations will depend on approvals from U.S. regulators related to broker-dealer and FCM registrations.
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