NYSE Parent ICE Eyes Investment in MoonPay at $5B Valuation
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the operator of the New York Stock Exchange, is reportedly in advanced talks to back MoonPay, the Web3 payments startup, at a valuation of around $5 billion. The move marks another bold step by Wall Street into the fast-evolving digital asset economy.
Coinccino 
Market Snapshot
According to CoinPaprika, sources close to the deal say ICE is considering a strategic investment in MoonPay, the crypto payment processor known for enabling easy fiat-to-crypto transactions and NFT purchases across major platforms.
MoonPay — once dubbed the “PayPal of crypto” — became one of the industry’s breakout unicorns after its 2021 funding round. Its latest valuation signals that institutional finance continues to view crypto payments and digital onboarding tools as a long-term growth sector, despite market volatility.
If confirmed, ICE’s involvement would be one of the most significant TradFi-to-Web3 partnerships since Nasdaq and BlackRock’s blockchain initiatives.
Ecosystem Impact
ICE’s potential backing of MoonPay underscores how legacy financial institutions are pivoting toward blockchain-native payment systems.
MoonPay already serves millions of users across more than 160 countries and integrates with top wallets, NFT marketplaces, and fintech apps.
The partnership could bring regulatory credibility and market reach, helping MoonPay expand its infrastructure into bank-backed digital payments and tokenized settlement networks.
For ICE, the investment would reinforce its broader strategy of bridging traditional markets with crypto finance, following its earlier success with Bakkt — a digital asset platform launched in 2018.
Industry Reactions
Crypto investors and analysts are calling the potential deal a “powerful signal of mainstream validation.”
“This isn’t just another partnership — it’s Wall Street doubling down on Web3 infrastructure,” one analyst said on X (formerly Twitter).
MoonPay’s CEO, Ivan Soto-Wright, has long advocated for “universal crypto accessibility,” aligning closely with ICE’s mission to modernize global financial systems through technology.
Market observers note that such high-profile collaborations could accelerate U.S. regulatory clarity, as institutional players like ICE push for compliant, large-scale adoption of blockchain technology.
Future Outlook
If the talks succeed, ICE’s investment could pave the way for MoonPay’s public listing or further partnerships with global banks and payment networks.
Analysts believe the move will inspire similar deals between major financial institutions and crypto-native fintechs heading into 2026.
Ultimately, the line between fintech and crypto is blurring fast — and MoonPay’s evolution from startup to potential Wall Street-backed powerhouse is proof that digital asset infrastructure is here to stay.
