As Bakkt’s second CEO exits firm, questions rise about the hyped Bitcoin “catalyst” 🚨 This article is 5 years old...
As Bakkt’s second CEO exits firm, questions rise about the hyped Bitcoin “catalyst”
2 min read
Updated: Apr. 26, 2020 at 6:48 am UTC
Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
Bakkt, the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) crypto subsidiary, suffered its second high-profile executive exit last week after CEO Mike Blandina stepped down. While the rumored institutionalization of cryptocurrency remains a far-fetched vision, several empty promises and misplaced hypes question Bakkt’s integrity as a company.
Third executive in four months
As reported on Bloomberg, Blandia resigned the Bitcoin futures bourse after just four months on the job. He now joins J.P. Morgan to head its payments technology division. Interestingly, the U.S. investment bank was poised to develop its JPM coin in 2019, but not much has transpired on that front since.
When Blandia joined Bakkt as CEO in December 2019, he vowed to oversee the exchange’s expansion in key markets, explore newer product offerings, and even launch a retail application for everyday payments. Previously, Blandia had stints at PayPal and Google, both centered in the payments division.
Bakkt’s new CEO is David Clifton, previously at ICE as head of M&A and integrations. Adam White continues his role as company president, and no further announcements on the exchange’s future exist at press time.
Promises, hot air, and zero substance
Formerly, Blandia replaced U.S. senator Kelly Loeffler, who was recently in the headlines for gaining millions in the stock market based on insider information. Loeffler was extensively praised in 2018-19 for bringing in institutional tools for the cryptocurrency market before her administrative appointment. But Bakkt’s poor, non-existential performance in the recent months has begged larger questions — are institutions even interested in Bitcoin exposure at all?
Crypto fanatics once regarded Bakkt as Bitcoin’s “killer app” — a so-called slang for products/services that revolutionize industries and rival products. Popular crypto commentator Scott Melker tweeted:
The @Bakkt news is arguably the most bullish event for institutional investors in the history of bitcoin. PHYSICALLY delivered futures (require the holder to either produce actual bitcoin or take delivery from the exchange) backed by the New York Stock Exchange. We are maturing.
— The Wolf Of All Streets (@scottmelker) August 16, 2019
However, since its launch in September 2019, Bakkt has no substantial metric or use case to boast about. On the first hour of trading post-launch, only five contracts changed hands. At the end of the session, only 28 contracts were traded — a number smaller than the worse ranked crypto exchanges.
The exchange’s main selling point — that of physical-settled Bitcoin futures — turned out a disappointing farce. Only 63 percent of contracts were reportedly settled in the digital currency.
Myth: Bakkt futures fully backed by bitcoin.
Reality: Bakkt futures 37% backed by dollars or treasuries. pic.twitter.com/m9Gww7SP8v
— Alex Krüger (@krugermacro) December 2, 2019
Bakkt’s daily volumes continue to remain woefully low — only 200 June BTC contracts — and any developments about the much-hyped Starbucks application seem buried. Most who expected Bitcoin prices to rise substantially after the launch were in for a surprise, the currency fell 50 percent in the months to come, exactly a day after Bakkt’s launch.
Among a rotating door of executives, low volumes, absent mobile applications, lies about daily Bitcoin settlement, a former executive involved in insider trading, and questionable margin statements – Bakkt comes across as an “institutional” leader no better than “unregulated” crypto exchanges.
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Bakkt
Bakkt is a new company of NYSE-operator InterContinental Exchange (ICE) designed to bring digital assets to the mainstream and help unlock the potential of this important technology.
Kelly Loeffler has built an impressive career, transitioning from the corporate sector as the CEO of Bakkt, a prominent digital asset services subsidiary of Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), to a political role as a United States Senator representing Georgia.
Adam White is a former Coinbase Vice President and current COO of Bakkt.