Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has joined the board of cryptocurrency exchange OKX, formalizing an advisory relationship that began in 2023 as the company expands its regulated business in the United States.
OKX founder and CEO Star Xu announced the board appointment on Monday. Xu credited Cuomo with providing regulatory and policy guidance during the exchange’s growth and described the appointment as part of OKX’s effort to strengthen trust around its global platform.
OKX did not disclose Cuomo’s compensation, committee assignments or the length of his board term. The exchange says it serves more than 120 million users globally across its trading, wallet and onchain products.
Cuomo served as New York governor from 2011 until his resignation in 2021. He previously served as the state’s attorney general and as U.S. housing secretary under President Bill Clinton.
Appointment Deepens ICE And OKX Relationship
The board seat follows Cuomo’s appointment as co-chair of OKXICE, a 50-50 joint venture between OKX and Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange.
The companies formed OKXICE in June to pursue regulated infrastructure for tokenized securities, digital asset derivatives and continuous trading. ICE executive Trabue Bland serves as co-chair alongside Cuomo.
The venture plans to seek registration as a U.S. broker-dealer and futures commission merchant. Its proposed structure would connect OKX customers with ICE futures and tokenized versions of NYSE-listed securities, subject to regulatory approval.
Cuomo has described the project as a financial technology and market-infrastructure initiative rather than a conventional cryptocurrency venture. He began advising OKX in 2023, including during the exchange’s response to a federal investigation into its U.S. operations.
Board Role Follows U.S. Regulatory Reset
OKX pleaded guilty in February 2025 to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business and agreed to pay more than $500 million in penalties and forfeited fees. The plea covered conduct by Aux Cayes Fintech, the legal entity operating OKX’s global exchange.
The exchange subsequently reentered the U.S. market with a centralized trading platform, crypto wallet and regional headquarters in San Jose, California.
Cuomo’s appointment also revives scrutiny of his political record. New York’s BitLicense regime was introduced during his governorship, establishing one of the country’s strictest state-level licensing systems for crypto businesses. He resigned in August 2021 after a state attorney general investigation concluded that he had sexually harassed multiple women. Cuomo has denied wrongdoing.
OKX’s U.S. expansion now combines its relaunched retail exchange, the planned ICE partnership and a board member with experience in state and federal government as the company seeks additional regulatory approvals.
