Cuomo’s OKX ties and new ICE venture spark debate

Andrew Cuomo’s OKX advisory role during a federal probe draws scrutiny. After losing the NYC mayoral race, he became co-chair of a new OKX-ICE venture for tokenized financial products.

Andrew Cuomo’s advisory role with crypto exchange OKX, during a federal investigation that led to a $505 million settlement for anti-money laundering violations, has become a focal point in his 2025 New York City mayoral campaign. Critics have highlighted his involvement and his recommendation of Linda Lacewell as OKX’s chief legal officer. After his unsuccessful mayoral bid, Cuomo was appointed co-chair of a new 50-50 joint venture between OKX and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange. The venture aims to develop infrastructure for tokenized and digitally native financial products, allowing OKX’s 120 million users to access ICE futures and NYSE tokenized equities, pending regulatory approval. The project will operate as a U.S.-registered broker-dealer and Futures Commission Merchant, with Cuomo and ICE’s Trabue Bland as co-chairs. This partnership follows ICE’s strategic investment in OKX and marks its continued expansion into digital assets.