FILE PHOTO: The company logo for Bakkt is displayed on a screen at the the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 18, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/ File Photo
(Reuters) -Donald Trump's social media company is in advanced talks to buy crypto trading firm Bakkt, the Financial Times reported on Monday, citing two people with knowledge of the talks.
Trump Media and Technology Group, which operates Truth Social, is close to an all-stock acquisition of Bakkt, the report said.
Shares of Bakkt, backed by NYSE-owner Intercontinental Exchange, soared nearly 66% in late afternoon trading, before being halted for volatility.
Trump Media and Bakkt did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Intercontinental Exchange declined to comment.
A deal would help consolidate Trump's involvement with an industry that he championed in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election.
The president-elect has also launched a new crypto venture, World Liberty Financial.
(Reporting by Niket Nishant and Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Alan Barona)
