Bitcoin Exchange Bakkt to Become Publicly Traded With $2.1B Valuation Via Merger

The combined company will be called "Bakkt Holdings" and will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange with an expected valuation of $2.1 billion.

AccessTimeIconJan 11, 2021 at 1:54 p.m. UTC
Updated May 9, 2023 at 3:14 a.m. UTC

Bitcoin exchange Bakkt has inked a business combination deal that will result in the Intercontinental Exchange subsidiary becoming a publicly traded company.

  • According to an announcement Monday, the agreement will see Bakkt merge with VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings, a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Victory Park Capital.
  • The combined company will be called "Bakkt Holdings" and will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange with an expected valuation of $2.1 billion.
  • With the announcement, Gavin Michael, former head of technology of Citi’s Global Consumer Bank, is joining Bakkt as CEO effective today.
  • Bakkt investors' equity will roll into the combined company, with Intercontinental Exchange contributing an additional $50 million, according to the announcement. 
  • A year ago, Bakkt acquired loyalty rewards provider Bridge2 Solutions, with help from Intercontinental Exchange.
  • The firm is planning a full launch of its Bakkt Cash app this spring, a year or so after Starbucks integrated it as a way for customers to top up their credits with bitcoin.
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