v3.25.1
Share-Based and Unit-Based Compensation
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Share-Based and Unit-Based Compensation Share-Based and Unit-Based Compensation
2021 Incentive Plan
Bakkt's 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2021 Incentive Plan”), became effective on the Closing Date with the approval of VIH’s shareholders and the Board. The 2021 Incentive Plan allows the Company to make equity and equity-based incentive awards to employees, non-employee directors and consultants. There were initially 1,032,677 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 Incentive Plan which can be granted as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), performance stock units ("PSUs"), dividend equivalent rights and other share-based awards. On June 6, 2023, the Incentive Plan was amended to increase the shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 Incentive Plan by 1,063,618 shares. On May 31, 2024, the 2021 Incentive Plan was again amended to increase the shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 Incentive Plan by 938,625 shares for a new aggregate total of 3,034,920 shares. No award may vest earlier than the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to limited exceptions.
Share-Based Compensation Expense
During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, the Company granted 729,849 and 482,599 RSUs, respectively, to employees and directors. No PSUs were granted during the during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024.
Bakkt recorded $2.8 million and $7.7 million of share-based compensation expense related to RSUs during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, respectively. The Company recorded $0.5 million and $0.3 million of share-based compensation expense related to PSUs during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, respectively. Share-based compensation expense for both RSUs and PSUs, is included in “Compensation and benefits” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Unrecognized compensation expense as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was $17.3 million and $12.9 million, respectively, for the RSUs and PSUs. The unrecognized compensation expense as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.54 years and 1.36 years, respectively.
RSU and PSU Activity
The following tables summarize RSU and PSU activity under the 2021 Incentive Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024 (in thousands, except per unit data):
RSUs and PSUsNumber of RSUs and PSUsWeighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)Weighted Average Grant Date Fair ValueAggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2023521 1.38$69.75 
Granted482 $11.50 $5,527 
Forfeited(77)
Vested(233)
Outstanding as of March 31, 2024693 1.90$27.25 
Outstanding as of December 31, 20241,421 1.36$18.17 
Granted730 $10.52 $7,678 
Forfeited(21)
Vested(242)
Outstanding as of March 31, 20251,888 1.54$14.80 
During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, Bakkt recorded zero and $4.9 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense related to the accelerated vesting of awards for certain employees, primarily related to the termination of a former executive. Acceleration of share-based compensation expense related to the Company's restructuring efforts is included in “Restructuring expenses” in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company also recorded reversal of share-based compensation expense of zero and $0.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, respectively, for forfeitures related to the termination of employees. Reversal of share-based compensation expense related to the Company's restructuring efforts is included in “Restructuring expenses” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Total fair value of vested RSU and PSU awards was $2.8 million and $4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, respectively.
The fair value of the RSUs and PSUs used in determining share-based compensation expense is based on the closing price of Bakkt's common stock on the grant date.
PSUs provide an opportunity for the recipient to receive a number of shares of our common stock based on various performance metrics. Upon vesting, each performance stock unit equals one share of common stock of the Company. The Company accrues compensation expense for the PSUs based on management's assessment of the probable outcome of the performance conditions. The metrics for PSUs granted during 2024 relate to the Company's performance during fiscal year 2024, as measured against objective performance goals approved by the Board. The actual number of units earned may range from 0% to 150% or 200% of the target number of units depending on the metric and depending upon achievement of the 2024 performance goals. PSUs granted in 2024 vest in two equal annual installments from 2025 to 2026. The metrics for PSUs granted during 2023 relate to Bakkt's performance during fiscal year 2023, as measured against objective performance goals approved by the Board. The actual number of units earned may range from 0% to 150% of the target number of units depending upon achievement of the 2023 performance goals. PSUs granted in 2023 vest in three equal annual installments from 2024 to 2026. The metrics for PSUs granted during 2022 relate to the Company's performance during fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024, as measured against objective performance goals as determined by the Board. The actual number of units earned may range from 0% to 150% of the target number of units depending upon achievement of each year’s performance goals. PSUs granted in 2022 vest in three equal annual installments, subject to a catch-up provision over the three annual performance targets.
Opco Plan
Preferred incentive units and common incentive units (collectively, “incentive units”) represent an ownership interest in Opco and are entitled to receive distributions from Opco, subject to certain vesting conditions. Opco classifies incentive units as equity awards on its consolidated balance sheets. Participation units, issued directly by Opco to Opco Plan participants, do not represent an ownership interest in Opco but rather provide Opco Plan participants the contractual right to participate in the value of Opco, if any, through either a cash payment or issuance of Class A Common Stock upon the occurrence of certain events following vesting of the participation units. Refer to Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's 2024 Form 10-K where the modifications to the Opco Plan are described in detail.
Upon consummation of the VIH Business Combination, the 76,475,000 outstanding preferred incentive units and 23,219,745 outstanding common incentive units were converted into 17,473,362 common incentive units, and the 10,811,502 outstanding participation units were converted into 1,197,250 participation units. Opco preferred incentive units and common incentive units outstanding prior to the VIH Business Combination, as well as participation units, were not impacted by the Reverse Stock Split discussed in Note 2, therefore these amounts are presented without consideration of the Reverse Stock Split Ratio. Contemporaneously with the conversion, approximately one-third of the awards in the Opco Plan vested. The second tranche vested on the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date and the third tranche vested on the two-year anniversary of the Closing Date, although under the terms of the Opco Plan, employees who were terminated without cause after the Closing Date vested in the unvested portion of their awards immediately upon their termination date. There has not been, and will not be, any additional awards made under the Opco Plan following the VIH Business Combination.
Incentive Unit Activity
The following table summarizes common incentive unit activity under the Opco Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (in thousands, except per unit data):
Common Incentive UnitsNumber of Common Incentive UnitsWeighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)Weighted Average Grant Date Fair ValueAggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2024287 0$166.75 $47,867 
Granted— 
Forfeited— 
Exchanged(1)
Outstanding as of March 31, 2025286 0$166.75 $47,024 
Common Incentive UnitsNumber of Common Incentive UnitsWeighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)Weighted Average Grant Date Fair ValueAggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2023309 0$166.75 $51,467 
Granted— 
Forfeited— 
Exchanged(5)
Outstanding as of March 31, 2024304 0$166.75 $50,677 
The Company did not make any cash payments to settle vested participation units during the three months ended March 31, 2025 or March 31, 2024.