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Wall Street, Fintech, Cryptocurrency Exchange, Web3, OKX

OKX is broadening its operations to serve as both a global exchange and a regulated infrastructure partner, leveraging “dual-stack” custody to help traditional institutions integrate with the crypto economy.

For nearly a decade, “fintech” was synonymous with better user interfaces, such as mobile applications that improve the aesthetics of banking, but do little to improve the way banking functions. Underneath, the antiquated systems of clearing and settlement remained intact.

In 2025, however, a true rebuilding of the financial architecture might be underway, and it is driven by crypto-native infrastructure developments, rather than Silicon Valley code. As OKX president Hong Fang puts it, “the convergence between crypto and traditional finance is no longer theoretical. It is happening right now, and it is redefining how capital moves, how institutions operate and how customers experience financial services.”

Traditional institutions need partners who understand both code and compliance to navigate this environment. Digital assets exchange OKX, for example, has grown from a trading venue to also becoming an infrastructure partner. “What began as a parallel industry has evolved into a symbiotic relationship,” Fang explains, with crypto innovations now helping the broader financial system adapt to a digital-first era.

The platform boasts a global presence that includes the United States, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Australia. By obtaining licenses in major regulatory jurisdictions and developing institutional-grade rails, OKX aims to be the bridge that enables Wall Street to safely transition to Web3. For Fang, that bridge matters because “traditional finance brings scale, governance and experience,” while crypto contributes “innovation, transparency and speed.”

Architecture of trust

The defining characteristic of this new era is a fundamental shift in how trust is established. Historically, financial trust was institutional; reliant on a chain of intermediaries to verify that money moved from Point A to Point B. Blockchain technology inverts this model, placing trust in verifiable, tamper-resistant data rather than the intermediaries managing it.

Fang describes this as crypto’s “most significant contribution:” a “reimagining of trust,” moving from reliance on gatekeepers to systems grounded in verifiable, transparent data.

While this may represent a potential threat to some traditional financial institutions, many others view it as an opportunity for operational improvement. “In response, we are seeing traditional finance begin to integrate blockchain solutions into core infrastructure,” Fang highlights, pointing to developments like tokenized deposits and new settlement layers on distributed ledgers.

“Technology can strengthen, rather than replace, the foundations of financial trust,” emphasizes the OKX president. This collaborative approach is driving major pilots, from tokenized deposits to blockchain-based interbank settlement, demonstrating that the future of finance is not about replacing banks, but providing them with improved tools.

From concept to capital markets

If trust is the foundation, speed is the utility. The efficiency of crypto rails has given rise to one of the year’s most significant trends: the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs). Fang calls tokenization “one of the most promising bridges between traditional finance and crypto”, as it can make RWAs “more liquid, divisible and accessible to a broader range of investors.”

While early tokenization pilots were experimental, many major financial institutions are now issuing tokenized funds, bonds and real estate on regulated blockchains. This situation creates a demand for “dual-stack” infrastructure. Institutions need custodial solutions that can efficiently manage a tokenized treasury bond alongside a traditional equity portfolio.

In response to this demand, OKX developed compliant custody and wallet solutions capable of handling both asset classes, eliminating the technological friction that previously kept institutional capital on the sidelines.

Regulation as a competitive advantage

Perhaps the most surprising catalyst for this convergence is regulation. Rather than stifling innovation, clear legal frameworks in jurisdictions such as the UAE, Singapore and the European Economic Area have created a level of certainty that institutions need to participate in emerging markets.

In hubs like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, regulators have moved from skepticism to supervision, creating environments where digital asset innovation is encouraged within guardrails. OKX has built upon this strategy and secured the necessary licenses and operating approvals in these jurisdictions. By aligning with policymakers, platforms like OKX offer an entry point for institutions seeking to deploy capital without regulatory ambiguity.

“Good regulation is not a constraint; it is an enabler of sustainable innovation,” Fang points out, because it gives institutions the confidence to build, manage risk and offer clients exposure through trusted channels.

Blurred lines

As experiments turn into live products, the line between “traditional finance” and “crypto” is beginning to blur. Banks, asset managers, exchanges and regulators are no longer debating whether digital assets matter; they are deciding how fast they can safely scale them. The emerging model is collaborative: traditional finance brings regulatory discipline and scale, while crypto platforms contribute transparency, programmability and speed.

Fang frames the shift as cultural as much as technical, stating that crypto brought a “culture of experimentation, agility and open innovation,” and institutions are now learning to pair that velocity with mature governance.

The OKX president argues that this convergence is more than a passing phase: “Fintech and crypto are no longer separate stories; they are part of the same narrative.” In this narrative, digital assets help redraw how money, markets and trust work across borders.

The winners of this vision will not be disruptors trying to burn down the old system, but builders using it as a catalyst for a more connected global economy. Through its partnerships with major financial entities and its commitment to regulated infrastructure, OKX aims to demonstrate that the future of finance lies in the seamless integration of both Wall Street and Web3.