Bakkt to Acquire Distributed Technologies Research (DTR), Change Corporate Name to "Bakkt, Inc." on Jan. 22, 2026
Bakkt’s official Jan. 12 statement confirms its all-stock purchase of DTR to accelerate stablecoin payment adoption, cut third‑party reliance, and drive future payments and banking revenue.
Bakkt Holdings (NYSE: BKKT) announced on Jan. 12 an agreement to acquire stablecoin payments provider Distributed Technologies Research Ltd. (DTR) through the issuance of about 9,128,682 Class A shares. The official statement highlighted the strategic value of DTR’s technology and assets for accelerating Bakkt’s stablecoin payments rollout, reducing reliance on third parties, and generating future revenue streams in payments and banking. Parent company Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) supports the acquisition, which remains subject to regulatory and shareholder approval. Bakkt will rebrand to "Bakkt, Inc." on January 22, 2026 while maintaining its NYSE ticker and will hold its Investor Day on March 17. The announcement aligns with Bakkt’s broader push for digital asset-based payment innovations.
- Stablecoin: A type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value, often pegged to a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar.
- Regulatory approval: Authorization from government regulators that must be obtained before a transaction can close.
- Shareholder approval: A required vote by a company’s shareholders to authorize a proposed transaction or change.