Distributed Technologies Research Acquired by Bakkt | Financial Services M&A Deal

Bakkt has completed the acquisition of Distributed Technologies Research, a payments processing business in Georgia, for $44. Bakkt acquires Distributed Technologies Research to add agentic payments and stablecoin infrastructure capabilities to its regulated institutional rails. Distributed Technologies Research develops AI-native payments technology and a scalable compliance stack designed for fintechs and institutions seeking programmable settlement in GA. The financial services M&A is structured as a platform acquisition by a public company acquisition, with Bakkt acquisitions expanding its digital settlement layer for cross-border payments processing. Deal terms include issuance of 11,316,775 shares of Bakkt Class A common stock at closing, with potential additional shares tied to outstanding warrants.