OKX has appointed former New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to its board of directors, formalizing a relationship that began in 2023.
The exchange said Cuomo helped shape its approach to United States regulation and institutional engagement.
Founder and chief executive Star Xu confirmed the appointment on X on July 20. Xu said, “Governor Cuomo has been a thoughtful voice for OKX for years, and his move to the board formalizes a relationship that has already shaped how we approach the U.S. market.”
He added that OKX needs leaders who understand how governments, institutions, and markets operate as the company builds infrastructure linking traditional and digital finance.
Cuomo Brings Government Experience to OKX
Cuomo served as New York’s 56th governor from 2011 until 2021. He previously served as the state’s attorney general and led the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development as secretary.
His appointment expands a role focused on advising OKX about regulatory and institutional strategy. The move gives Cuomo a formal position in the exchange’s governance structure.
Cuomo also co-chairs OKXICE, a joint venture created by OKX and Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange. Trabue Bland, ICE’s senior vice president of futures exchanges, serves as the other co-chair.
OKXICE Targets Tokenized Traditional Assets
The companies announced the equally owned venture in June. OKXICE plans to tokenize NYSE-listed shares and ICE futures contracts, subject to regulatory approval.
The venture intends to register as a United States broker-dealer and futures commission merchant. If regulators approve the project, OKX says its 120 million users could access tokenized versions of NYSE equities and ICE futures.
ICE reportedly invested about $200 million in OKX in March, valuing the exchange at roughly $25 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Cuomo said in June, “This is not about crypto.” He added, “This is about blockchain and financial technology, and applying blockchain to other assets.”
Appointment Follows Political and Legal Controversy
Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment. He has repeatedly denied the allegations.
He later entered the 2025 New York City mayoral race but lost to Zohran Mamdani. Cuomo has said he will devote most of his time to the OKX venture while advising nonprofit organizations.
He has stated that he does not plan to seek office again, although he told reporters, “Never say never.”
Cuomo began advising OKX while the exchange faced a Department of Justice investigation. The case ended in 2025 when OKX pleaded guilty to anti-money-laundering violations and paid more than $500 million before relaunching its United States operations.
OKX holds licenses across the United States, the UAE, the European Economic Area, Singapore, and Australia. It publishes monthly proof-of-reserves reports.
