Payments Daily · Thursday, September 24, 2026Daily
PAY.NEWS
European Central Bank launches Pontes to enable settlement of tokenized assets in central bank money
The European Central Bank today launched Pontes as a bridge connecting distributed ledger networks with TARGET settlement services, enabling wholesale tokenized asset transactions to be settled in central bank money. Building on the experience of 64 participants, more than 40 trials, and transactions exceeding €1.59 billion in 2024, the service marks an important advance for central bank digital currency in the wholesale sector.
Payments & Infrastructure
Payments Cards & MobileEuropean Central Bank launches Pontes, enabling settlement of tokenized assets in central bank money
The European Central Bank launched Pontes as a bridge between distributed ledger networks and the Eurosystem TARGET settlement services, enabling wholesale tokenized asset transactions to be settled in central bank money. Building on the experience of 64 participants, more than 40 trials, and transactions exceeding €1.59 billion in 2024, the service has limited functionality initially, with full implementation targeted for 2028.