Crypto Marketplace Bakkt Considers Potential Breakup Or Sale As Market Recovers

As an analyst with a background in finance and experience following the digital asset sector, I believe that Bakkt Holdings’ exploration of strategic alternatives, including a potential sale, comes as no surprise given the current state of the crypto industry. The surge in crypto prices to near-record highs has prompted consolidation within the sector, with some firms looking to expand while others are still recovering from the downturn two years ago.


Reports indicate that Bakkt Holdings, the digital asset trading platform operated by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), is pondering over the possibility of selling the business due to heightened acquisition interest in the cryptocurrency sector.

Bakkt Evaluates Strategic Alternatives

As a crypto investor following the latest news, I’ve come across some intriguing developments regarding Bakkt. According to my sources close to the situation, Bakkt has enlisted the help of a financial advisor to consider different strategic paths. One possibility is a potential split-up, but no definitive choice has been reached yet.

ICE, the corporation behind significant futures exchanges including the New York Stock Exchange, introduced Bakkt to much excitement. This new endeavor, unveiled in partnership with Starbucks and Microsoft, has attracted considerable notice.

Kelly Loeffler, who initially led Bakkt as its CEO at its inception, subsequently served as a US Senator from Georgia for just one year. Early in 2021, Bakkt announced potential difficulties that could impact their status as a financially viable company and faced the possibility of being removed from the NYSE listing.

During times of market stability in the digital asset industry, Bakkt makes its entrance, offering a range of services such as trading and custodial solutions.

As a researcher observing the crypto market, I’ve noticed an intriguing trend emerging: prices are soaring close to previous highs. This development has sparked renewed interest among some firms, leading them to consider expanding their operations. In stark contrast, others are still grappling with the aftermath of the industry-wide downturn that occurred two years ago.

Potential Breakup Considered 

In the role of an analyst, I’d recount that Bakkt became publicly traded last year through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). For the first quarter of 2023, the firm reported a loss of $21 million on a revenue base of $855 million. Notably, on a recent Friday, Bakkt disclosed a collaboration with Crossover Markets to create a crypto electronic communication network (ECN), thereby extending its product range.

The New York State Department of Financial Services has granted Bakkt a prized BitLicense, which is essential for businesses to legally function within the state.

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed some exciting news that sent the company’s shares soaring by 15% to hit $22.33 on Friday. This marked a substantial 27% gain for the week. With a market value hovering around $300 million, things were looking up. However, it’s important to acknowledge that Bakkt’s stock has seen a downturn of approximately 30% over the past year.

As the digital asset marketplace firm considers various strategic moves, such as a possible sale, due to increased cryptocurrency industry activity, it reaches a pivotal juncture.

With its approved BitLicense, strategic partnerships, and comprehensive range of offerings from Bakkt, the company has established itself as a major contender in the market. However, it is essential to keep an eye on Bakkt’s future developments and whether they will choose to stay independent or consider being acquired by another entity.

Crypto Marketplace Bakkt Considers Potential Breakup Or Sale As Market Recovers

Based on the most recent data, the overall value of the cryptocurrency market has dropped below the $2.5 trillion threshold. The main cause for this decrease can be attributed to the falling price of Bitcoin (BTC), which is the largest cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization. I’ve observed that the value of Bitcoin has declined significantly, from around $71,000 to approximately $69,000 at present.

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2024-06-08 06:11