OKX has named Andrew M. Cuomo, the former governor of New York, to its board of directors, formalizing an advisory relationship that began in 2023. Founder and CEO Star Xu announced the appointment on July 20, emphasizing that Cuomo’s move from advisor to director elevates his role to one of fiduciary responsibility and governance. Xu stated that Cuomo’s understanding of how governments, institutions, and markets think is essential as OKX aims to become the infrastructure layer for both traditional and digital finance.
Cuomo brings a high-profile public service background. He served as New York’s 56th governor from 2011 to 2021, previously was the state’s attorney general, and led the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. His political career was marred by a resignation amid sexual harassment allegations, which he has denied, and a failed 2025 bid for New York City mayor. Despite that baggage, his addition to OKX’s board signals a serious commitment to institutional credibility and U.S. regulatory alignment.
Cuomo already co-chairs OKXICE, a 50-50 joint venture between OKX and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) — the owner of the New York Stock Exchange — formed in June to tokenize NYSE-listed stocks and futures. The venture plans to register as a U.S. broker-dealer and futures commission merchant, pending regulatory approval. If cleared, OKX’s 120 million users could gain access to tokenized traditional assets. ICE also made an investment in OKX in March that reportedly valued the exchange at around $25 billion.
The board appointment comes after OKX pleaded guilty to anti-money-laundering violations in 2025 and paid over $500 million in penalties. The move is widely interpreted as a step to strengthen governance and rebuild trust following that legal scrutiny. OKX now holds licenses in the U.S., UAE, European Economic Area, Singapore, and Australia, and publishes monthly proof-of-reserves reports. Cuomo’s directorship, alongside deepening traditional-finance ties, positions the exchange for a more formalized U.S. market presence.
