StanChart, Circle, Ripple back crypto exchange OKX at unchanged $25bn valuation

Crypto exchange OKX has secured strategic investments from Circle, Ripple, QRT, and SC Ventures at a $25 billion pre-money valuation to accelerate its expansion into real-world asset tokenization. This funding round, which extends a previous investment led by Intercontinental Exchange, aims to provide the capital necessary for OKX to scale its tokenized product offerings. The exchange has already integrated significant RWA features, including the listing of over 40 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs for non-U.S. and non-European clients. Furthermore, OKX recently announced the launch of a tokenized securities venue utilizing SEC exemptions to facilitate regulated trading. By leveraging partnerships with major financial players like Standard Chartered and Circle, OKX is positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain-based markets. The inclusion of Ripple and its RLUSD stablecoin further signals a strategic focus on cross-border liquidity and asset settlement. This development highlights a broader industry trend where centralized exchanges are aggressively pivoting toward institutional-grade RWA infrastructure to diversify revenue streams beyond volatile crypto assets.