Bakkt has finalized its acquisition of Distributed Technologies Research (DTR), a company focused on stablecoin infrastructure, through an equity-based transaction. As part of the deal, Bakkt issued more than 11.3 million shares to DTR’s beneficial holders, with the possibility of issuing an additional 725,000 shares in the future.
Push into stablecoin-powered settlement
CEO Akshay Naheta said the strategic goal is to combine Bakkt’s institutional-grade infrastructure with DTR’s AI-powered payments engine and stablecoin technology. The intended outcome is a 24/7 digital settlement layer that can help bridge traditional finance and digital assets.
The deal underscores Bakkt’s effort to move deeper into infrastructure rather than remain centered only on narrower digital asset services. Stablecoin rails and payment technology are increasingly viewed as key building blocks for real-time settlement, cross-market transfers, and broader financial integration between on-chain systems and legacy finance.
Part of a broader repositioning effort
The acquisition comes after several moves by Bakkt to reinforce its market position. In February, the company completed a $48 million share sale aimed at addressing market uncertainty and delisting risks. It has also rebranded as Bakkt Inc., signaling a broader ambition to expand its role across the digital asset ecosystem.
Taken together, the DTR acquisition reflects a more focused strategy around stablecoins, institutional infrastructure, and digital payments. If the integration proceeds as planned, Bakkt could strengthen its position in the emerging settlement layer connecting traditional financial institutions with digital asset networks.