Bakkt’s Bitcoin Payment App on Horizon, Loyalty Platform Buyout

Bakkt is planning to purchase Bridge2 Solutions, a customer loyalty and rewards service, as part of its plans to offer a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency-powered payment app in the near future.

The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) revealed details in a Feb 5. press release:

When Bridge2 Solutions ultimately joins Bakkt, the strategic combination will accelerate the development of the Bakkt consumer application, which will provide digital asset aggregation, conversion and payments through a single platform for consumers around the world.

This acquisition is part of Bakkt’s shift toward consumer services. Last year, it launched futures trading, derivatives products, and a custody service—all of which are aimed at institutional investors. By contrast, the upcoming payments app will be aimed at the general public.

More details should become clear in the next few months. Bakkt expects to launch its app within the first half of this year, and it plans to complete its acquisition of Bridge2 for…