ECB Launches Digital Euro Platform Pontes Next Week

The European Central Bank (ECB) is set to launch Pontes, a digital euro platform for banks, on September 21. ECB President Christine Lagarde announced this at the conclusion of the Eurogroup meeting. The new payment platform will be accessible only to credit institutions and marks the start of the pilot phase for the introduction of the digital euro.

Lagarde emphasized that the ECB is awaiting the completion of the EU's legislative process to meet the deadline and 'test the pilot phase in mid-2027.'