OKX Raises $25B to Expand Tokenized Equity Infrastructure

OKX has extended its strategic investment round to a $25 billion pre-money valuation, attracting key players like Circle, Ripple, Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures, and Qube Research & Technologies (QRT). This follows an earlier round led by ICE in March 2026, signaling OKX’s shift beyond traditional spot trading toward tokenizing equities. The new backers are not just providing capital but also critical infrastructure to connect traditional equity markets with on-chain trading.

The timing aligns with OKXICE LLC’s SEC filing from October 4-5, 2026, which seeks to tokenize 63 NYSE-listed equities under the SEC’s September 17, 2026, Innovation Exemption. By integrating stablecoin issuers like Circle and Ripple, OKX is positioning itself to meet regulatory requirements while expanding its capabilities. Circle’s involvement, following its integration of USDC on the X Layer, underscores the growing role of regulated dollar infrastructure in on-chain trading environments.

Ripple is embedding its RLUSD stablecoin into OKX’s unified order book, emphasizing the strategic importance of stablecoins in global financial infrastructure. Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures brings institutional-grade custody experience, while QRT, a quant fund with $38 billion in assets under management, is expanding its US presence. These investments highlight OKX’s pivot toward becoming a regulated financial utility, in line with broader industry shifts prompted by the Fed GENIUS Act NPRMs.

While individual investment amounts remain undisclosed, OKX’s goal is clear: to create a closed-loop system linking exchange liquidity with regulatory frameworks. The success of this transition hinges on navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, particularly as the SEC Innovation Exemption provides a narrow path for tokenized securities and stablecoins. OKX CEO Star Xu described the company’s evolution as moving from an exchange to a broader global financial technology platform.