Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), is expanding deeper into crypto-linked markets through a new partnership with crypto exchange OKX to launch perpetual futures tied to oil prices.
Less than three months into our partnership with Intercontinental Exchange, we’re launching ICE Brent and ICE WTI Perp Futures – bringing the world’s top oil benchmarks to OKX and expanding regulated energy market access for our 120M+ users.
Oil markets run the world economy.… pic.twitter.com/iY2SF3DBNm
— OKX (@okx) May 22, 2026
The new products will use ICE benchmark prices for Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI), giving crypto traders access to oil markets through perpetual contracts that do not expire.
The move adds another traditional asset class to crypto trading platforms as exchanges push beyond digital assets into commodities and tokenized finance.
ICE benchmarks enter crypto derivatives market
OKX said the upcoming contracts will be available in regions where the exchange is licensed to offer perpetual futures products.
The oil contracts will be based on ICE’s pricing data for Brent and WTI crude, two of the world’s most followed energy benchmarks. Unlike traditional oil futures traded on commodity exchanges, the perpetual version has no expiry date.
This allows traders to keep positions open without rolling contracts forward or taking delivery of physical oil barrels.
OKX Global Managing Partner Haider Rafique said the launch reflects growing demand for products that combine traditional financial markets with digital asset infrastructure.
Crypto exchanges expand beyond digital assets
Perpetual futures, commonly known as “perps,” first gained popularity in crypto markets as traders used them to speculate on Bitcoin and other digital assets. However, exchanges have increasingly expanded the model into real-world assets as demand grows for around-the-clock trading.
The trend has accelerated as traders look for markets that remain active outside traditional exchange hours, especially during weekends and global events. Crypto exchange Hyperliquid has already introduced perpetual contracts linked to real-world assets, including crude oil.
In related news, OKX is pushing deeper into the tokenized assets space with the launch of equity perpetual swaps, a new product designed to give traders round-the-clock exposure to global stocks and indices without leaving the crypto ecosystem.
Crypto and traditional finance move closer
The oil launch builds on a broader partnership announced by ICE and OKX in March. Both companies previously said they would work on blockchain infrastructure, crypto-based futures products, and tokenized securities linked to NYSE markets.
Additionally, ICE will take a board seat at OKX and the two firms will pursue a sweeping collaboration spanning futures products, tokenized equities, custody, and clearing infrastructure.
ICE executive Trabue Bland said the new offering gives OKX’s reported 120 million users access to energy benchmark products through crypto markets.
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