The European Central Bank announced that the Eurosystem has launched Pontes, enabling wholesale transactions in tokenised assets to settle in central bank money. The launch delivers the first initiative under the Eurosystem’s tokenised finance strategy, following its 2024 distributed ledger technology tests and the previously scheduled September 2026 rollout. An initial group of 13 market participants, four distributed ledger technology operators and the Deutsche Bundesbank has completed onboarding and can use the service immediately. Pontes initially provides a core set of services, with additional participants expected to connect in the coming months. Enhanced functionality and longer operating hours will be introduced gradually, with full implementation expected by 2028. In parallel, the Appia initiative is conducting experimentation and analysis with Danmarks Nationalbank and public and private sector stakeholders to develop a blueprint for an integrated distributed ledger technology based financial ecosystem by 2028.
2026-09-21European Central Bank
European Central Bank announces Eurosystem launch of Pontes for wholesale tokenised asset settlement in central bank money
The European Central Bank announced the launch of Pontes, allowing wholesale tokenised asset transactions to settle in central bank money. An initial group of market participants and distributed ledger technology operators can use the service immediately, with functionality and operating hours set to expand toward full implementation by 2028. The longer-term Appia initiative is developing a blueprint for an integrated tokenised financial ecosystem.