I think this BAKKT thing doesn't not require the same permissions from the SEC to get started as the ETF does, and basically the end result is similar: it allows people to get exposure to BTC even if they are computer illiterates but have money an understand Bitcoin is a must have in any 2018 financial portfolio.
According to what can be read about BAKKT project its development started about 14 months ago. I assume that most of the things from the regulatory / legal side it's already done since they announced start in November. But by one article they still wait for approvals regarding institutional investors, although I do not know which agencies must give their approval.
This is what I don't understand about this market. Bitcoin pumps on the idea that ETF is coming. Bitcoin dumps when ETF decision gets delayed. BAKKT get announced that not only does everythung the ETF would do but also partners with huge retailers who will help promote adoption and the price tanks? Reminds me of 2014 when lots of good news was happening but had no effect on the price.
Have you not noticed the level of reading comprehension the average Bitcoiner displays?
Most don't get beyond the first two words of a headline, let alone the whole headline, let alone the beginning of an article, let alone a whole article. By the final sentence 99.7% of people will be long gone.
Digesting the Bakkt thing requires at least, ooh, a minute or two.
In most tiny minds ETF = MOOON and nothing but. And no ETF = DOOOOM.
I must unfortunately agree with your comment, the vast majority of people does not understand the difference between words
"delay" and
"denied". Just because of ignorance it is very easy to manipulate with crypto market, 2000$ up and down in a very short period of time based on ETF speculations is the most obvious example of this.
Lack of understanding BAKKT from ordinary users is actually expected, or maybe most of them think it is just one more "big thing" like futures or ETF which will not actually have any impact on the price. I think it will be difficult to return trust from ordinary small investors after last price correction - 14000$ lost in value in just few months is not easily forgotten.