ICE Partners With tZERO to Build Tokenized Securities Infrastructure, Develop NYSE-Linked Platform

Intercontinental Exchange Inc., the parent of the New York Stock Exchange, is partnering with blockchain financial infrastructure firm tZERO to build trading and settlement infrastructure for tokenized securities.

The Block reported on August 31 that ICE and tZERO agreed to work together on infrastructure for the tokenized securities market. tZERO will serve as a design partner for an NYSE-linked tokenized securities platform that ICE is developing.

The companies are also jointly pursuing a digital transfer agent program linked to the NYSE. The initiative is focused on building infrastructure to manage ownership records and transfers for tokenized securities, with the potential to connect those functions to trading and settlement over time.

As part of the partnership, ICE will participate in tZERO's new investment round. ICE will also obtain licenses to 103 blockchain patents in tZERO's portfolio covering compliant asset transfers, smart contracts and corporate actions.

The partnership could later expand into collateral management. The companies plan to examine ways to use tZERO's tokenized assets for collateral management at ICE clearinghouses and other affiliates.

Chief Executive Officer Alan Konevsky said tZERO has spent years building an end-to-end regulated platform for tokenized securities and related intellectual property. Working with ICE to extend that effort into listed equities marks the natural next step for the tokenization market and the infrastructure services business, he added.

Michael Blaugrund, ICE's vice president for strategic initiatives, said tZERO's experience in regulated on-chain infrastructure will be important in expanding a digital transfer agent program that supports trading and settlement for tokenized securities.

tZERO received approval from U.S. regulators in September 2024 to provide digital-asset custody. It currently competes in the tokenized asset market with firms including Securitize and Superstate.

ICE has also been stepping up investment in on-chain financial infrastructure. In May, it formed a 50-50 joint venture with crypto exchange OKX to develop next-generation infrastructure for tokenization and digitally native financial products. ICE also invested an additional $600 million in Polymarket in March after a $1 billion investment in October 2025, and has invested in OKX at a $25 billion valuation.