TLDR
- Intercontinental Exchange valued OKX at 25 billion dollars through a new strategic partnership.
- ICE secured a board seat in OKX as part of the agreement.
- The companies will explore tokenized equities linked to New York Stock Exchange listings.
- ICE will license OKX spot crypto price data for regulated U.S. futures products.
- OKX will provide its 120 million users access to ICE U.S. futures markets.
Intercontinental Exchange has valued crypto exchange OKX at $25 billion in a new partnership. The New York Stock Exchange owner also secured a board seat in the deal. Both companies will collaborate on tokenized stocks and regulated crypto futures.
ICE announced the agreement through a formal press release on Thursday. It did not disclose the financial terms of its strategic investment.
However, ICE confirmed it valued OKX at $25 billion. The San Jose-based company operates a global cryptocurrency trading platform.
The agreement expands ICE’s digital asset strategy across multiple markets. It also strengthens ties between traditional exchanges and crypto firms.
ICE Expands Digital Asset Strategy
ICE will license OKX’s spot cryptocurrency price data for U.S. futures products. In return, OKX will provide access to ICE’s regulated futures markets.
The companies said they will explore tokenized equities tied to NYSE listings. They will also study derivatives linked to listed securities.
Jeffrey C. Sprecher, ICE chair and CEO, addressed the partnership in a statement. He said, “Our strategic relationship with OKX will expand global retail access to ICE’s pre-eminent regulated markets.”
He added that the partnership will accelerate plans for on-chain infrastructure. ICE aims to offer tokenized assets to U.S. investors.
ICE will also gain representation on OKX’s board of directors. The companies plan cooperation on clearing and risk management services.
They will work on multichain custody systems and wallet architecture. Both firms operate high-performance matching engines and transparent order books.
OKX and Market Reaction
Star Xu, founder and CEO of OKX, welcomed the collaboration. He said the partnership will help build a reliable market structure.
Xu stated that the firms will bridge digital assets and equities. He added that the venture will strengthen cross-market price formation.
OKX’s native token, OKB, surged after the announcement. The token rose as much as 58% within one hour.
It later pulled back and traded near $96. Earlier, it reached a high of $120 following the news.
Bakkt, another ICE-backed digital asset firm, also saw market movement. Its NYSE-listed shares rose 0.74% in early New York trading.
ICE has invested in digital asset platforms in recent years. It previously backed Bakkt and invested $2 billion in Polymarket.
The companies confirmed they will continue regulatory discussions. They said any new products will depend on regulatory support.
OKX serves about 120 million users worldwide. ICE operates major regulated exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange.
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