How to Build a $25 Billion Everything Exchange | DAS NYC 2026 | Day 3 | Empire

Why It Matters

OKX’s $25 billion raise and ICE partnership could accelerate tokenized equity trading in the US, forcing legacy exchanges to confront a globally liquid, on‑chain competitor and expanding institutional access to crypto‑linked assets.

Key Takeaways

• OKX raised $25 billion, targeting US expansion via tokenization
• Partnership with ICE provides credibility and access to NYSE infrastructure
• Unified global order book reduces slippage for weekend and cross‑border trades
• OKX’s wallet supports 130+ native chains, offering advanced trading tools
• Focus shifts from crypto hype to institutional tokenized equities and futures

Summary

At DAS NYC 2026, OKX’s global managing partner Haidider announced a $25 billion fundraising round, underscoring the exchange’s ambition to become a universal venue for crypto and tokenized traditional assets, especially in the United States.

The raise was described as “miserable” due to heightened scrutiny on Asian‑origin firms, but OKX leveraged its profitability, a network of licenses across Europe, Latin America, Turkey, Australia and Singapore, and a unified order‑book that promises lower slippage for weekend and cross‑border trades. A strategic investment from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) supplies institutional credibility and a pathway to NYSE‑backed tokenized equities and futures.

Haidider highlighted that OKX already runs a 24/7 market for ten years, operates a wallet with native support for more than 130 chains, and offers an advanced trading interface that rivals centralized platforms. He noted the firm is “a year or two ahead” of other Asian exchanges in entering the US and expects its global liquidity to unlock demand for tokenized US stocks worldwide.

If OKX successfully launches tokenized securities in the US, it could reshape market structure by blurring the line between crypto venues and traditional exchanges, pressure incumbents like Coinbase and Nasdaq, and accelerate institutional adoption of on‑chain assets. The partnership also signals that regulators may become more receptive to cross‑border, tokenized finance.

Original Description

How to Build a $25 Billion Everything Exchange

Speakers: Haider Rafique, Jason Yanowitz

This is a panel from DAS New York 2026. To explore more Blockworks events, visit blockworks.co/events