Bakkt reports second quarter 2023 results

Second quarter 2023 results include Apex Crypto, which was acquired on April 1, 2023 and rebranded Bakkt Crypto Solutions

In accordance with GAAP, crypto services revenues and crypto costs and execution, clearing and brokerage fees are being presented on a gross basis

Gross crypto services revenues of $335.3 million, which are partially offset by crypto costs and execution, clearing and brokerage fees of $334.0 million, reflect impact of Apex Crypto’s trading activity

Total revenues of $347.6 million include gross crypto revenues and net loyalty revenues

Total operating expenses of $398.7 million includes crypto costs and execution, clearing and brokerage fees and $17.0 million of acquisition-related expenses of which $12.1 million is non-cash

Strong expansion of our client base with seven new clients recently signed, including in Latin America

Updated full year 2023 outlook for revenues, operating cash flow and free cash flow (non-GAAP) reflects impact from acquisition of Apex Crypto and current macroeconomic environment

Operating cash flow usage for full year 2023 expected to be $78 million - $84 million, down over 20% from previous guidance. Second half 2023 operating cash flow usage expected to be down over 75% from first half reflecting our focus on prudent expense management

ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bakkt Holdings, Inc. (“Bakkt”) (NYSE: BKKT) announced its financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

“We are pleased with the rapid momentum we built in the second quarter,” said Gavin Michael, President and CEO of Bakkt. “The closing of our acquisition of Apex Crypto at the beginning of the quarter was a pivotal moment for us. Our focused execution enabled us to provide a seamless experience for our clients, which included launching a new app for Webull in record time. We’ve been successfully expanding our broad reach in the crypto ecosystem with strong traction in new clients signed, and exciting new collaborations formed with Plaid and Fireblocks. We are making strong progress on our international go-to-market strategy and expect to launch our crypto capabilities in Latin America in the fourth quarter. In parallel, we are actively working to expand into the United Kingdom, European Union, Hong Kong and Australia. We are excited about the momentum we are building and our best-in-class platform positions us well for continued success.”

Recent Strategic Highlights

Crypto trading - Closed Apex Crypto acquisition and substantially complete with integration of our businesses, including rebranding to Bakkt Crypto Solutions. Strong progress expanding our platform and client network including:

• Webull - developed and launched new Webull Pay app and ACH funding¹ functionality for Webull Pay customers in approximately 40 days. Significant opportunity to leverage ACH funding¹ functionality for new and other existing clients.
• Expansion of client base - our advanced crypto trading capabilities are attracting strong interest from new clients, mostly in the fintech industry. Recently signed clients include invstr, Swan Bitcoin, Blockchain.com, Zaden, ibex and CryptoMom. We will extend our reach into Latin America with ibex. Our commercial agreement with Apex Fintech Solutions has been valuable in helping to drive some of these new client relationships.
• Partnership with Plaid – joining forces with Plaid where we will be one of Plaid’s crypto solution partners for their customers who are interested in offering crypto solutions to their end users. Plaid has an extensive network of more than 8,000 fintechs using their platform. Through the Plaid and Bakkt partnership, those fintechs will be able to easily and safely explore offering (Bakkt) crypto solutions to their users.

Crypto custody - Continuing to invest in our best-in-class custody to enhance our offering with application redesign and new functionality to launch additional products. Successful expansion of our platform includes:

• Expansion of client base – our secure, reliable and trusted custody platform is benefiting from a flight to quality with strong increase in inbound client interest. We have successfully signed new custody clients and are engaged in late-stage negotiations with multiple prospects across broad client verticals.
• Collaboration with Fireblocks – signed new multi-faceted agreement, which includes providing Fireblocks Off-Exchange customers with our Disaster Recovery Services. We will also join the Fireblocks Qualified Custodian Network, part of the Fireblocks Network that is used every day by thousands of organizations to transfer over $3 trillion in digital assets, which will provide us with access to a broad network of over 1,800 institutions.

Bakkt Second Quarter Financial Highlights (unaudited)

Second quarter 2023 results include Apex Crypto, which we acquired on April 1, 2023. In accordance with GAAP, we are presenting crypto services revenue and crypto costs and execution, clearing and brokerage fees on a gross basis since we are a principal in those transactions.

¹ Currently available in most states, awaiting regulatory approval in certain states.

• Key performance indicators (including historical Apex Crypto data for comparison purposes):
  • Crypto enabled accounts of 6.0 million have continued to increase steadily.
  • Transacting accounts of 1.2 million decreased 20% year-over-year, due to industrywide slowdown in crypto activity.
  • Notional traded volume of $531 million decreased 51% year-over-year, due to industrywide decline in crypto trading volumes and lower hotel, rental car and merchandise loyalty redemption activity.
  • Assets under custody of $660 million increased 3% year-over-year, primarily due to higher coin prices.
• Revenues of $347.6 million reflect a significant increase in gross crypto services revenues driven by Apex Crypto’s trading activity. Net loyalty revenues of $12.3 million decreased 8% year-over-year as subscription and service revenues were down due to a reduction in volume-based service revenues.
• Operating expenses of $398.7 million reflect a significant increase in crypto costs and execution, clearing and brokerage fees driven by Apex Crypto’s trading activity, as well as $17.0 million in acquisition-related expenses which includes a $10.4 million non-cash accrual related to the contingent stock earnout per the Apex Crypto purchase agreement.
• Operating loss of $(51.1) million increased 17% year-over-year driven by acquisition-related expenses, partially offset by improvement in compensation and benefits expense, due to lower headcount and share-based compensation expense.
• Net loss of $(50.5) million increased 83% year-over-year.
• Adjusted EBITDA loss (non-GAAP) of $(24.5) million decreased 17% year-over-year primarily due to a reduction in compensation and benefits costs and marketing expenses.

Updated Full Year 2023 Outlook

We are updating our full year 2023 guidance to reflect the impact from our acquisition of Apex Crypto and the current market environment:

• Full year 2023 revenues expected to be ~$2,132 million - ~$3,771 million; includes gross crypto revenues of ~$2,077 million - ~$3,716 million and net loyalty revenues of ~$55 million.
• Full year 2023 crypto costs expected to be ~$2,069 million - ~$3,702 million, in line with gross crypto revenues.
• Full year 2023 net cash used in operating activities expected to be ~($78 million) – ~($84 million). Prior full year 2023 guidance of ($100 million) - ($110 million).
• Full year 2023 free cash flow (non-GAAP) expected to be ~($90 million) - ~($96 million). Prior full year 2023 guidance of ($105 million) - ($115 million). Second half 2023 free cash flow (non-GAAP) usage outlook reflects a ~70-80% reduction from first half 2023 level reflecting our focus on prudent expense management.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Bakkt will host a conference call at 9:00 AM ET, August 10, 2023. The live webcast of Bakkt’s earnings conference call can be accessed at https://investors.bakkt.com, along with the earnings press release and accompanying slide presentation. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (833) 470-1428 or (404) 975-4839, and reference participant access code 830313 approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. A replay will be available promptly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (866) 813-9403 and entering the access code 989042. The replay will be available through September 7, 2023.