Intercontinental Exchange and OKX disclosed Monday a 50-50 joint venture targeting U.S. broker-dealer and futures commission merchant registration, pending regulatory approval. The venture will allow OKX's 120 million global users to access ICE futures markets and New York Stock Exchange tokenized equity products. The partnership builds on ICE's strategic investment in OKX announced in March 2026, extending the relationship into shared market infrastructure designed for tokenized and digitally native financial products.
Joint Venture Targets Broker-Dealer and FCM Registration
The two companies described the venture as infrastructure focused on tokenized and digitally native financial products. Subject to regulatory approvals, the joint venture will operate as a U.S.-registered broker-dealer and futures commission merchant. Once operational, the entity will allow OKX customers in the United States and abroad to access ICE futures markets and NYSE tokenized equity products. The companies said the joint venture will also pursue adjacent opportunities in regulatory-compliant, blockchain-enabled markets.
Andrew Cuomo Named Co-Chair of New Entity
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will serve as co-chair of the joint venture alongside representatives from ICE. Cuomo, who previously served as New York State Attorney General and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, began working with OKX in 2023. "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," Cuomo remarked. He also cited the potential for blockchain to expand access to financial services for underserved populations.
ICE Contributes Regulated Market Infrastructure
Trabue Bland, Senior Vice President of Futures Exchanges at ICE, framed the deal in institutional terms. "ICE's global benchmarks and regulated market technology have earned the trust of institutions and traders everywhere," Bland said, "and now, through our partnership with OKX, we are working towards extending that reach to OKX's 120 million retail traders." ICE operates some of the world's most widely used financial benchmarks and clearing infrastructure. Its involvement gives the venture direct access to regulated market rails that crypto-native companies typically cannot provide on their own.
OKX Brings 120 Million Users and Global Licenses
OKX serves more than 120 million users worldwide and holds regulatory licenses in the United States, the UAE, Singapore, Australia, and the European Economic Area. The company publishes monthly proof-of-reserves reports and has positioned itself as one of the more compliance-focused exchanges in the industry. Headquartered in San Jose, California for the Americas and Dubai for the Middle East, OKX has built out a global operational presence that the joint venture will draw on to reach customers across multiple jurisdictions.
FAQ
What did ICE and OKX announce on Monday?
ICE and OKX disclosed a 50-50 joint venture targeting U.S. broker-dealer and futures commission merchant registration, pending regulatory approval. The venture will give OKX's 120 million global users access to ICE futures markets and NYSE tokenized equity products.
Who will co-chair the ICE-OKX joint venture?
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will serve as co-chair of the joint venture alongside representatives from ICE. Cuomo began working with OKX in 2023 and previously served as New York State Attorney General and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
How does this partnership build on ICE's previous relationship with OKX?
The joint venture follows ICE's strategic investment in OKX announced in March 2026, deepening a relationship that now extends into shared market infrastructure for tokenized and digitally native financial products.
