OKX has signaled that it will postpone its U.S. listing until it can deliver long-term value to shareholders. At the New York Digital Asset Summit, Heider Rafik, the company’s chief operating officer and chief marketing officer, stated that OKX would pursue an IPO only when there is confidence it can return value to shareholders; if such confidence is lacking, the firm would have no appetite for going public. The stance comes as OKX secured a strategic investment tied to its NYSE-listed parent, ICE, a move that reportedly values the company at about $25 billion.
Rafik described the funding round as priced conservatively, arguing that revenue growth, licensing, and assets suggest the company was undervalued. He emphasized that the decision was “very intentional” and aligned with a long-term plan to deliver shareholder returns. He also warned that repeating past patterns of token launches could harm the industry, noting concerns about rushes to public markets.
Despite the expanded global footprint, OKX says it remains focused on building the business for the long term, with a view toward deeper involvement in tokenized finance and on-chain infrastructure through its ICE partnership. The executive reiterated that IPO timing will be driven by sustainability rather than urgency, and that the company intends to build the business for decades rather than chase a quick public listing.
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