ICE and OKX form a joint venture: tokenized NYSE stocks for 120 million crypto exchange users
The digital asset market is taking another decisive step towards traditional finance. Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, has announced a strategic partnership and investment in the crypto exchange OKX. As part of the deal, the companies plan to launch a joint venture that will provide regulated access to tokenized NYSE shares and ICE futures.
According to the terms of the agreement, ICE has acquired a minority stake in OKX, valuing the company at $25 billion. Moreover, ICE representatives will join the OKX board of directors, highlighting the depth of integration between the two giants.
What this means for OKX users
Over 120 million registered OKX users will gain the ability to work with traditional markets without leaving their familiar crypto interface. After receiving approval from U.S. regulators, users will be able to trade tokenized shares of companies listed on the NYSE, as well as ICE futures. The launch is scheduled for the second half of 2026.
The partnership involves creating a full-fledged infrastructure: the joint venture will seek to obtain broker-dealer and Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) status in the U.S. This means users will not only gain access to new instruments but also additional protection through registration under U.S. jurisdiction.
The first steps have already been taken — in May 2026, OKX launched perpetual futures on Brent and WTI based on ICE indices. A similar scenario is expected for tokenized shares.
A symbiosis of tradition and innovation
For ICE, this partnership is an opportunity to expand the distribution of its benchmarks and gain access to a vast audience of crypto traders. In turn, the exchange will also receive rights to OKX spot crypto asset quotes to launch its own regulated crypto futures in the U.S. This opens up legal access to crypto products for institutional investors.
For OKX, the collaboration adds weight and opens access to regulated products from traditional finance. The exchange strengthens its position as an intermediary between digital assets and classic instruments, ceasing to be merely a purely cryptocurrency platform.
Expert opinion: This agreement is not just another integration, but a potential template for the entire industry. The successful launch of tokenized NYSE shares through OKX could set a precedent that pushes other major exchanges towards similar alliances. We are witnessing not just market convergence, but the birth of a new hybrid model where blockchain infrastructure is complemented by traditional clearing, risk management, and a regulatory framework. If the project receives regulatory approval, it will become one of the most significant events of the year for the digital asset market.