What Is the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)?
The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is a global network of exchanges and clearing houses for financial and commodity markets. It operates more than 20 regulated exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), ICE Futures Europe, ICE Futures US, and ICE Clear Europe. The company also provides data services to customers in over 70 countries around the world. Founded in 2000 by Jeffrey Sprecher, it has grown into one of the largest exchange operators in the world with a market capitalization of $50 billion as of 2020.
ICE offers trading across multiple asset classes such as equities, commodities, currencies, fixed income products and derivatives. Its platform enables customers to access liquidity from other participants on its network through direct or indirect connections via brokers or electronic platforms like Bloomberg Tradebook or Tradeweb Markets LLC. In addition to providing an efficient marketplace for buyers and sellers to transact business quickly at competitive prices, ICE also provides risk management solutions that help protect against price volatility while allowing investors to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.