Catenaa, Sunday, January 18, 2026- Bakkt announced plans to acquire stablecoin infrastructure provider Distributed Technologies Research Ltd. (DTR), sending its shares up 18% to close at $19.21.
The acquisition will be executed through the issuance of over 9 million Class A common shares to DTR shareholders.
Bakkt said the deal accelerates its stablecoin settlement capabilities, reduces reliance on third parties, and positions the company to expand revenue opportunities in payments and banking.
DTR was founded by Bakkt co-CEO Akshay Naheta, who previously led a strategic partnership between the two firms. Naheta now oversees the unified infrastructure following the acquisition.
An independent special board committee approved the transaction, with Intercontinental Exchange, Bakkt’s largest shareholder holding roughly 31% of Class A shares, also backing the deal.
The acquisition aligns with Bakkt’s broader pivot toward a B2B2C model targeting traditional financial institutions entering crypto.
In recent months, Bakkt has divested its loyalty rewards business, acquired money transmitter licenses across all 50 US states, launched a bitcoin treasury via a public offering, and strengthened its board with crypto veteran Mike Alfred.
The company intends to use the DTR integration to support a forthcoming neobanking initiative and enhance its stablecoin settlement infrastructure.
Bakkt, launched in 2018 with NYSE operator ICE support, initially focused on physically-settled Bitcoin futures for institutional investors.
The company also announced a corporate name update to “Bakkt, Inc.” effective January 22, reflecting its strategic evolution toward a comprehensive financial infrastructure platform.
