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ECB pursues digital euro and Pontes wholesale project

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2026-09-29 04:13 UTC → 2026-10-13 08:53 UTC · added removed

ECB launch of pursues digital euro and Pontes blockchain settlement service wholesale project

The European Central Bank (ECB) has launched Pontes, is pursuing a wholesale settlement service designed dual strategy to integrate distributed ledger technology (DLT) with expand the Eurosystem’s TARGET payment services. The infrastructure acts as a technological bridge, allowing financial institutions to settle tokenized asset transactions, such as bonds and funds, using reach of central bank money. By facilitating simultaneous transactions between the sale of securities money through both wholesale and retail initiatives. While the receipt of funds, Pontes project focuses on wholesale tokenized finance, the system aims to reduce credit risk, eliminate intermediate waiting times, and increase transparency ECB is also developing a proposed digital euro for professional operators. retail use. The initiative digital euro is intended to establish European public money as for person-to-person transactions, e-commerce, and in-store purchases. Although not yet approved, the foundation ECB is targeting a potential first issuance in 2029, contingent upon EU legislation being finalized by late 2026. A pilot program for the digital finance, mitigating risks associated with private stablecoins and reducing reliance on non-European platforms. Initial participants include Deutsche Bank, Santander, and Clearstream. While euro is scheduled for the service currently operates on business days between 8 a.m. second half of 2027. Under this proposal, the digital euro would not pay interest, and 4 p.m. CET, individual holdings would be subject to specific limits. Complementing this retail focus, the ECB intends Pontes service—launched on September 21—serves to expand connect distributed ledger technology (DLT) platforms with Eurosystem services. Designed for banks, market infrastructures, and investors, Pontes aims for full implementation by mid-2028, with goals to provide 24/7 operations by mid-2028. Additionally, the ECB indicated it would begin investing a portion of its funds into highly rated, euro-denominated blockchain-based securities. service, enhanced resilience, and multi-currency capabilities for wholesale applications.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-13 08:53 UTC ECB pursues digital euro and Pontes wholesale project
  2. 2026-09-29 04:13 UTC ECB launch of Pontes blockchain settlement service

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