OKXICE Aims to Revolutionize U.S. Securities Trading with Tokenized Platform

OKXICE, a joint venture between crypto exchange OKX and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), has filed with the SEC under the agency’s new Innovation Exemption to launch a Tokenised Securities Venue in the United States. This filing positions OKXICE among the first firms to seek approval under the exemption, which was introduced after comprehensive crypto legislation backed by President Trump failed to advance in the Senate. The exemption allows blockchain-based securities to trade on U.S. crypto venues under specific conditions.

The initial lineup includes tokenised shares of 63 NYSE-listed companies, with issuers given 30 days to opt out before trading begins. The platform aims to offer round-the-clock trading and faster on-chain settlement while preserving dividend and voting rights, a requirement under the SEC’s new framework. The launch timeline depends on completing the opt-out period and meeting remaining regulatory requirements.

Global exchanges like the NYSE, Nasdaq, and the London Stock Exchange are preparing to introduce 24/7 trading, while prediction markets are also entering U.S. stock trading, attracting regulatory scrutiny. The SEC’s Innovation Exemption has spurred competition, with different models vying for market share. OKXICE, backed by NYSE’s parent company, stands out by working directly with public companies to bring tokenised shares to crypto markets.

This shift represents a structural challenge for traditional exchanges, as crypto venues offering 24/7 access to U.S. equities with on-chain settlement redefine what an exchange can be. Early movers under this exemption gain a significant first-mover advantage in a market that traditional finance is only beginning to explore.