ECB Launches Pontes Platform for Tokenized Asset Settlement
The European Central Bank (ECB) has launched Pontes, a platform that enables banks and financial institutions to settle tokenized asset transactions in central bank money. This move aims to expand distributed ledger technology across financial markets in Europe.
Pontes connects private DLT platforms with the Eurosystem's existing TARGET Services, providing a settlement option for tokenized bonds, funds, and other financial assets. The ECB said the platform makes central bank money suitable for an increasingly tokenized financial system.
The initial group using Pontes includes 13 market participants, including Deutsche Bank, Santander, Société Générale, and DLT operators such as Clearstream and Axiology. The ECB expects full implementation by 2028.