ICE and OKX form a joint venture: $25 billion for tokenizing NYSE stocks
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, has made a strategic breakthrough by investing in the crypto exchange OKX, valuing the company at $25 billion. The agreement establishes a joint venture that will provide access to tokenized NYSE stocks and ICE futures for over 120 million registered OKX users.
Tokenized NYSE Stocks: A New Era for Crypto Traders
ICE has acquired a minority stake in OKX and secured a seat on the exchange's board of directors. The joint venture aims to obtain broker-dealer status and become a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) in the United States. Following regulatory approval, OKX users worldwide will be able to trade tokenized shares of companies listed on the NYSE and ICE futures using their familiar crypto interface. The launch is scheduled for the second half of 2026.
As part of the agreement, ICE will also gain rights to OKX's spot crypto asset quotes to launch its own regulated crypto futures in the U.S. This will allow institutional investors to legally access crypto products, while ICE expands the distribution of its benchmarks.
What This Means for OKX Users
For millions of crypto traders on OKX, the partnership opens direct and regulated access to Wall Street products without needing to switch platforms. Users will be able to trade tokenized shares of leading companies and leverage benefits such as near-instant settlements, 24/7 trading, and fractional asset purchases. The integration reflects the convergence of traditional and digital markets: OKX's blockchain infrastructure is complemented by ICE's clearing, risk management, and regulatory framework.
Initial 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 stocks. Users gain additional protection through U.S. registration while remaining within the OKX ecosystem.
Expert Analysis
This partnership is not just an investment but a test of a hybrid model that could change how tokenized assets reach the retail market. For OKX, the collaboration adds credibility and opens access to regulated products from traditional finance, strengthening the exchange's position as a bridge between digital assets and classic instruments. A successful outcome could encourage other exchanges to pursue similar alliances, serving as a powerful catalyst for the entire tokenization industry.