NYSE stock exchange operator partners with OKX to launch crypto futures and tokens

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the company that powers the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and other capital markets, has struck a strategic partnership with crypto platform OKX. 

The partnership will allow ICE to license OKX spot crypto prices and launch U.S.-regulated crypto futures contracts, and also allow OKX to begin distribution of those futures, in addition to tokenized equities.

In all, it means that crypto-native users on the OKX platform will have access to the U.S.-based financial markets through tokenized equities.

Additionally, ICE is also making an undisclosed minority investment in OKX, reflecting a valuation of $25 billion, OKX said on Thursday.

“American stocks should be accessible”

Haider Rafique, global managing partner at OKX, says the partnership will serve as a way for international investors to access U.S. equity markets. 

“People around the world are trying to access the U.S. market, but they’re often unable to—there’s a lot of hoops to jump through,” he says. “The most exciting thing is that this partnership allows us and ICE to bring 24/7, tokenized securities—all the equities on the New York Stock Exchange—onto the OKX app. American stocks should be accessible to people around the globe.”

Not only that, but since OKX is a crypto platform with no set trading hours, Rafique says that means investors can make changes to their portfolios on the fly, any time, day or night.

And it’s all happening under the eyes of U.S. regulators.

“This is a clear signal,” Rafique says. “OKX is showing the world where it’s placing its bet. We’re going to the toughest markets in the world, from a regulation standpoint.”

ICE’s investment and partnership are the latest example of financial services companies embracing tokenized assets. Last year, stock trading platform Robinhood began allowing European investors to access tokenized versions of shares in privately held companies such as OpenAI and SpaceX. (OpenAI later cautioned that it had not publicly endorsed the move.)

For pro-crypto investors, it’s also potentially a much-needed positive sign, as major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin have declined in value this year after the boost they received in the wake of President Trump’s early second term.

Crypto saw a boost over the past weekend with the launch of attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, and on Wednesday, crypto assets rose further after Trump sounded off about crypto regulation—a bullish signal for the markets.