The NYSE parent company, ICE, has formed a new partnership with OKX after completing an investment that values the crypto exchange at $25 billion. ICE will also hold a seat on the OKX board as the firms plan new market products.
The agreement follows a long set of talks between senior leaders from both sides. Haider Rafique from OKX met Jeffrey Sprecher during an early meeting that later grew into a full set of reviews and planning sessions.
ICE aims to use OKX’s spot crypto prices to build regulated futures in the United States. OKX will also prepare access for its users to trade ICE futures and tokenized stocks from the New York Stock Exchange once approval is granted.
Plans For Tokenized Stocks and New Trading Access
OKX users will gain access to tokenized stocks and derivatives listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The service is expected to launch later in 2026 once the setup is ready. Tokenized assets place traditional products inside blockchain systems that can reduce the cost of transactions.
OKX will provide a large distribution network with more than 120 million accounts. ICE will supply market technology that supports high-speed trading, which both firms plan to connect across new shared platforms.
ICE said that the partnership is part of its plan to operate trading and settlement tools on-chain as demand grows. The company has been building new blockchain infrastructure and has also made other large investments in the digital asset sector.
Both firms plan to study new ways to design market structure and clearing systems. They will examine custody tools, wallet systems, and data links across networks. The goal is to support institutions that want better access to digital assets.
The partnership will also test new links between centralized and open markets. OKX already manages large trading volumes and has built tools for developers that use multiple chains. ICE aims to use this reach to expand its presence in digital markets.
ICE’s investment is a minority position and will not change its financial guidance for 2026. The company said the investment will not affect capital return plans during the year.
OKX Expands US Operations Amid Regulatory Progress
OKX restarted its United States operations in April after resolving a case with the Department of Justice. The exchange agreed to a settlement and returned with updated operations that support new products.
Rafique said that OKX plans to move more staff to the United States to support the partnership with ICE. The firm expects strong demand for tokenized assets and futures as the market grows during 2026.
The partnership signals a shift as established platforms connect traditional markets with blockchain systems. Both firms expect wider adoption as new tools reach retail and institutional users.
Post the announcement, the OKB token rose 36.75% in an hour and reached $106 as trading volume jumped 1,587% to $408.83 million, while market cap climbed 36.74% to $2.23 billion during the same period.
Source: https://coinpaper.com/15200/okb-token-rallies-36-as-nyse-parent-ice-invests-25-b-in-okx
