Eurosystem launches Pontes
21 September 2026 Europe
Image: jorisvo/stock.adobe.com
The Eurosystem and the European Central Bank (ECB) have launched Pontes, a solution enabling wholesale transactions in tokenised assets to be settled in central bank money.
According to the Eurosystem, Pontes is the first initiative in its strategic programme to make central bank money 鈥渇it for a tokenised future鈥� and to support the development of a changing financial ecosystem.
The launch builds on the entity鈥檚 2024 tests, in which distributed ledger technology (DLT) was used for central bank money settlement.
From the testing, public and private sector stakeholders determined that access to a risk-free settlement asset was 鈥渃rucial for the wider adoption鈥� of DLT.
An initial cohort of market participants and DLT operators has completed onboarding and is prepared to commence using Pontes immediately, with additional institutions scheduled to connect in the coming months.
Pontes will initially offer a core set of services, with plans for further expansion in line with both market demand and technological developments.
The Eurosystem says enhanced features and longer operating hours will be introduced gradually, and full implementation is anticipated by 2028.
The work will continue under Appia, the Eurosystem鈥檚 long-term strategic DLT wholesale financial market infrastructure initiative, and will involve experimentation and analysis conducted by the Eurosystem, Danmarks Nationalbank, and public and private sector stakeholders.
Appia aims to have a blueprint ready by 2028.
Speaking on the launch, Christine Lagarde, president of the ECB, says: 鈥淭he Eurosystem is working to enable a more integrated, innovative and resilient European financial market in the digital age.
鈥淲e will continue to make progress in close collaboration with the market.鈥�
Piero Cipollone, member of the ECB鈥檚 executive board, adds: 鈥淧ontes brings the stability and trust of central bank money to the European tokenised finance ecosystem.
鈥淚t will give an important advantage to help it scale.鈥�
According to the Eurosystem, Pontes is the first initiative in its strategic programme to make central bank money 鈥渇it for a tokenised future鈥� and to support the development of a changing financial ecosystem.
The launch builds on the entity鈥檚 2024 tests, in which distributed ledger technology (DLT) was used for central bank money settlement.
From the testing, public and private sector stakeholders determined that access to a risk-free settlement asset was 鈥渃rucial for the wider adoption鈥� of DLT.
An initial cohort of market participants and DLT operators has completed onboarding and is prepared to commence using Pontes immediately, with additional institutions scheduled to connect in the coming months.
Pontes will initially offer a core set of services, with plans for further expansion in line with both market demand and technological developments.
The Eurosystem says enhanced features and longer operating hours will be introduced gradually, and full implementation is anticipated by 2028.
The work will continue under Appia, the Eurosystem鈥檚 long-term strategic DLT wholesale financial market infrastructure initiative, and will involve experimentation and analysis conducted by the Eurosystem, Danmarks Nationalbank, and public and private sector stakeholders.
Appia aims to have a blueprint ready by 2028.
Speaking on the launch, Christine Lagarde, president of the ECB, says: 鈥淭he Eurosystem is working to enable a more integrated, innovative and resilient European financial market in the digital age.
鈥淲e will continue to make progress in close collaboration with the market.鈥�
Piero Cipollone, member of the ECB鈥檚 executive board, adds: 鈥淧ontes brings the stability and trust of central bank money to the European tokenised finance ecosystem.
鈥淚t will give an important advantage to help it scale.鈥�
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