Bakkt Acquires Stablecoin Infrastructure Firm DTR for $178M in Stock Deal
Bakkt Holdings (BKKT) surged 20% to $19.21 after announcing its acquisition of Distributed Technologies Research, a stablecoin infrastructure provider, in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $178 million. The transaction involves issuing over 9 million Class A shares to DTR stakeholders, with Intercontinental Exchange—Bakkt's 31% owner—voting in favor.
The strategic MOVE consolidates payment infrastructure ahead of Bakkt's planned neobanking launch. Notably, DTR founder Akshay Naheta currently serves as Bakkt's CEO, having assumed sole leadership following co-CEO Andy Main's departure earlier this year. The acquisition accelerates Bakkt's transformation into an integrated financial platform with enhanced stablecoin settlement capabilities.