NYSE Parent ICE Invests in OKX, Values Crypto Exchange at $25B 

Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, has made its another big strategic investment in crypto world after Polymarket’s $9 billion investment.

This time ICE has invested in leading crypto exchange OKX that values the platform at around $25 billion, according to a report by Fortune.

The investment gives ICE a seat on OKX’s board as per the deal. It also marks one of the latest collaborations yet between a major traditional exchange operator and a global crypto trading platform.

While the exact size of the investment and detailed terms are not disclosed, the deal unveils a bigger partnership too – “for tokenized equities.”

OKX To Allow NYSE Listed Stock Trading

Under the agreement, OKX will provide ICE with real-time pricing data for tradable cryptocurrencies on its exchange.

In return, OKX users will gain access to tokenized versions of stocks and derivatives listed on the New York Stock Exchange. These are expected to launch on the platform in the second half of 2026, according to the Fortune report.

The investment is not ICE’s first major bet on blockchain-based markets. In November 2025, the exchange operator invested up to $2 billion into prediction-market platform Polymarket at a valuation of roughly $9 billion. That deal highlighted ICE’s growing interest in alternative market structures built on blockchain infrastructure. It is particularly focusing on platforms that blend financial speculation with real-time data markets.

For ICE, which operates some of the world’s largest financial marketplaces, the deal could open a new distribution channel for tokenized products to reach global crypto-native traders.

Also Read: Kalshi’s Fight Against Insider Trading

Meanwhile, OKX gains closer ties to one of the most influential operators in traditional capital markets.

The collaboration also comes as OKX looks to expand its presence in the United States after it relaunched in the country in April 2025. According to comments from an OKX Marketing officer Haider cited in the Fortune report, the exchange may relocate up to 2,000 employees to the U.S. from its global workforce of roughly 5,000 staff. However, a timeline for the move has not yet been confirmed.

A global managing partner for corporate affairs at OKX stated that the exchange plans to relocate up to 2,000 employees to the United States from its total workforce of 5,000, but declined to provide a timeline. OKX may also pursue broader cooperation with Intercontinental…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) March 5, 2026

Market reaction to the news is also visible. OKX’s native token OKB has surged sharply following the announcement. It is trading above $120 and recording a 24-hour gain of nearly 59%, according to trading data from the exchange.

Also Read: Jack Dorsey’s Crypto Vision after 40% Staff Cut

Boost for Tokenized Equities?

Interestingly, the ICE–OKX partnership could also come as a boost for the tokenized equities market. While gaining traction across crypto exchanges and on-chain platforms, tokenized stocks’s market expanding from roughly $30 million in early 2025 to more than $963 million by January 2026. This is marking nearly 2,900% year-over-year growth.

At the same time, trading activity has been ramping up sharply. Some platforms report monthly on-chain trading volumes approaching $800 million. Average daily volumes across tokenized stock markets have hovered around $80 million during periods of peak activity.

Against this backdrop, the OKX–ICE tie-up particularly the plan to introduce tokenized NYSE-listed stocks and derivatives on the exchange could further boost it.