European Central Bank launches tokenised settlement platform

• The European Central Bank launched Pontes to settle wholesale tokenised asset transactions using central bank money.
• The digital platform marks the initial step in implementing the Eurosystem strategy for tokenised finance.
• Commercial banks and financial market infrastructures will integrate into the network using a gradual onboarding approach.

The European Central Bank has launched preparatory operations to integrate central bank money into digital asset markets.

The infrastructure deployment anchors wholesale distributed ledger technology transactions directly to sovereign monetary reserves.

“The Eurosystem is working to enable a more integrated, innovative and resilient European financial market in the digital age,” European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said in a statement.

The network provides institutional market participants with a risk-free settlement asset designed to scale blockchain efficiency.

“Pontes brings the stability and trust of central bank money to the European tokenised finance ecosystem,” European Central Bank Executive Board Member Piero Cipollone said in a statement.

Initial platform features prioritise core settlement capabilities before introducing extended operating hours ahead of full deployment by 2028.

Commercial lenders across the currency union will connect progressively to expand regional digital asset liquidity pools.

The initiative establishes a permanent bridge connecting traditional central bank reserves with modern decentralised market infrastructure.