ECB Launches DLT Settlement Platform Pontes

The European Central Bank (ECB) has officially launched Pontes, a DLT-based settlement infrastructure for tokenized assets. The platform enables wholesale tokenized asset transactions to be settled in central bank money, integrating issuance, trading, settlement, and custody through smart contracts. Thirteen banks, including Deutsche Bank, Santander, and Société Générale, alongside four DLT operators like Clearstream, are among the initial participants. The project aims for full completion by 2028.