ATLANTA, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IntercontinentalExchange (NYSE: ICE), a leading operator of regulated global futures exchanges, clearing houses and over-the-counter (OTC) markets, announced that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has granted ICE Clear Europe registration as a U.S. derivatives clearing organization (DCO) pursuant to Section 5b(b) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

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Said Paul Swann, President of ICE Clear Europe, "As a leading global clearing house for futures and OTC markets, DCO registration acknowledges our adherence to core principals and offers flexibility and confidence to our member firms. We appreciate the work of the Commission in granting this order."

Based in London, ICE Clear Europe is regulated by the U.K. Financial Services Authority (FSA) as a Recognised Clearing House. As one of five regulated clearing houses operated by ICE, ICE Clear Europe has served the futures markets of ICE Futures Europe and ICE's OTC energy markets since its establishment in November 2008. In July 2009, ICE Clear Europe introduced clearing for European CDS, with a separate risk pool, guaranty fund and margin accounts, as well as a dedicated risk management system and independent governance structure.

About IntercontinentalExchange

IntercontinentalExchange(®) (NYSE: ICE) is a leading operator of regulated futures exchanges and over-the-counter markets for agricultural, credit, currency, emissions, energy and equity index contracts. ICE Futures Europe(®) hosts trade in half of the world's crude and refined oil futures. ICE Futures U.S.(®) and ICE Futures Canada(®) list agricultural, currencies and Russell Index markets. ICE(®) is also a leading operator of central clearing services for the futures and over-the-counter markets, with five regulated clearing houses across North America and Europe. ICE serves customers in more than 55 countries. www.theice.com

The following are trademarks of IntercontinentalExchange, Inc. and/or its affiliated companies: IntercontinentalExchange, IntercontinentalExchange & Design, ICE, ICE and block design, ICE Futures Canada, ICE Futures Europe, ICE Futures U.S., ICE Trust, ICE Clear Europe, ICE Clear U.S., ICE Clear Canada, The Clearing Corporation, U.S. Dollar Index, ICE Link and Creditex. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information regarding registered trademarks owned by IntercontinentalExchange, Inc. and/or its affiliated companies, see https://www.theice.com/terms.jhtml

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 - Statements in this press release regarding IntercontinentalExchange's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the SEC on February 11, 2009.

SOURCE IntercontinentalExchange