NYSE Owner ICE in Talks to Invest in Crypto Payments Firm MoonPay at $5B Valuation

Intercontinental Exchange's potential investment signals deepening Wall Street interest in crypto infrastructure

The Deal

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, is in discussions to invest in cryptocurrency payments firm MoonPay as part of a new funding round, according to Bloomberg.

MoonPay is targeting a valuation of approximately $5 billion in this round, marking a significant milestone for the crypto payments sector.

Why This Matters

ICE's potential investment represents a notable endorsement of crypto infrastructure from one of traditional finance's most established players. As the operator of the world's largest stock exchange, ICE's involvement signals growing institutional confidence in the long-term viability of cryptocurrency payment rails.

This move aligns with ICE's existing crypto exposure. The company launched Bakkt in 2018, a digital asset platform offering custody and trading services. An investment in MoonPay would further expand ICE's footprint in the digital asset ecosystem.

About MoonPay

Founded in 2019, MoonPay provides fiat-to-crypto payment infrastructure that enables users to purchase digital assets using credit cards, bank transfers, and other traditional payment methods. The company's technology powers crypto purchases across numerous wallets, exchanges, and decentralized applications.

MoonPay has positioned itself as a critical bridge between traditional finance and the crypto economy, processing billions of dollars in transactions annually. Its client roster includes major crypto platforms and NFT marketplaces seeking seamless onboarding solutions for users.

Market Implications

The $5 billion valuation target reflects sustained investor appetite for crypto infrastructure companies despite market volatility. Payment and onboarding solutions remain essential as the industry pursues mainstream adoption.

Traditional finance institutions continue exploring crypto opportunities. ICE's potential MoonPay investment follows similar moves by major banks and asset managers seeking exposure to digital asset infrastructure rather than tokens directly.