Bakkt was originally founded in 2018 by Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, with the ambitious goal of bringing institutional trust, regulatory compliance, and digital asset infrastructure to the cryptocurrency markets. Initially launched to offer physically settled bitcoin futures contracts and consumer digital wallet applications, the company evolved its business model toward providing B2B software-as-a-service solutions for loyalty programs, crypto trading, and digital asset custody. Bakkt went public via a SPAC merger on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BKKT, continually adapting its strategy to navigate shifting regulatory frameworks and digital finance trends.