Bakkt (BKKT) Stock Soars Over 170% Following Major Analyst Upgrade and Strategic Shift

Shares of Bakkt Holdings (BKKT) have experienced a massive rally, jumping 17% on Tuesday and climbing more than 170% over a two-week period. This surge was primarily driven by Benchmark Company more than tripling its 12-month price target for BKKT to $40. The stock's appreciation pushed it above the $30 mark for the first time since January, reversing a long period of trading below $10.

Analyst Confidence and New Leadership

Benchmark analyst Mark Palmer initiated the bullish momentum, calling Bakkt an "attractive buy" despite its rapid gains, arguing its current valuation is modest compared to peers like Coinbase and Robinhood.

Investor optimism is also tied to recent leadership changes:

• CEO Akshay Naheta took charge in August, signaling a new strategic direction.
• The appointment of veteran fintech investor Mike Alfred to the board is seen as adding credibility and expertise in scaling the business.

While the stock's recovery is significant, it remains 97% below its 2021 all-time high, highlighting the magnitude of the company's turnaround challenge. Bakkt's impressive recent performance has earned it a high Relative Strength Rating of 96 from Investor’s Business Daily.

Strategic Focus on Core Growth and Bitcoin Treasury

Bakkt has been actively reshaping its business to focus on core growth areas:

• Streamlined Operations: The company sold its loyalty rewards unit for $11 million to narrow its focus on crypto custody, trading infrastructure, and tokenized payments.
• Treasury Expansion: Bakkt’s board approved a revised corporate investment policy allowing it to purchase Bitcoin and other digital assets for its treasury. This signals long-term confidence in the digital asset space.
• Capital Raise: To finance its ambitious new strategy, Bakkt filed an S-3 registration statement with the SEC to potentially raise up to $1 billion through various securities offerings.

CEO Akshay Naheta summarized the strategy by stating that Bakkt intends to act as a "bridge between institutions and emerging financial rails," aligning its services with the strategic shift of digital assets. Despite the positive outlook, the company acknowledged ongoing financial challenges, including a limited operating history and reliance on a single major client, in its S-3 filing.

October 2025, Cryptoniteuae