ICE Joins OKX in 50-50 Broker-Dealer Deal Targeting US Tokenized Equity Markets

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, and crypto platform OKX have formed a 50-50 joint venture to develop infrastructure for U.S.-regulated tokenized equities and futures markets. This new entity will operate as a U.S.-registered broker-dealer and futures commission merchant, pending regulatory approval. By combining OKX’s 120 million global users with ICE’s established market benchmarks and clearing infrastructure, the partnership aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain-enabled trading. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will serve as co-chair of the venture, emphasizing the goal of creating a more transparent and resilient financial system. This collaboration represents a significant institutional move, as it focuses on building regulated, blockchain-native rails rather than merely listing existing crypto assets. The deal deepens a strategic relationship that began with ICE’s investment in OKX in March 2023. Ultimately, this infrastructure-level integration signals a major shift toward the institutionalization of tokenized financial products for both retail and professional traders.