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ECB Launches Pontes Blockchain Payment System and Digital Securities Initiative

Steady: 1 in the last 7 days Updated wednesday

The latest in this situation

  1. The ECB is connecting blockchain markets, including Ethereum, to payment infrastructure through new services involving Deutsche Bank and Santander.
  2. Central banks, including the ECB and Bank of England, are pursuing blockchain initiatives, with major banks adopting new platforms.

How it started

2 reports, 2 independent, last reported Sep 21. The briefing below covers this first event.

AI-generated briefing. Brind wrote this from the reports listed below. It can be wrong. Each section says how much you can rely on it, and the sources are linked so you can check.

What happened

Some supportReported by 1 outlet

The European Central Bank launched a new service called Pontes, which links its payment system to blockchain-based financial markets. This platform allows banks and investors to settle transactions using euros backed by the ECB, rather than private stablecoins. The ECB stated that a first group of users, including Deutsche Bank, Santander Group, and Clearstream, had completed onboarding to use Pontes. Furthermore, the central bank announced it would begin investing a small portion of its €23 billion own funds in blockchain-based securities, focusing on highly rated, euro-denominated debt issued by public institutions.

From thestar.com.my

Why it matters

Some supportBrind's analysis of the reports

The move reflects a broader central banking effort to adapt to the growing use of shared digital ledgers for finance. The ECB stated that this technology has the potential to make transactions faster and more efficient by enabling automation and bundling multiple steps of an asset's lifecycle. The central bank noted that this approach could reduce reliance on private financial alternatives.

From thestar.com.my

Who's involved

  • European Central BankCentral bank of the European Union and the eurozone, leading the initiative.
  • Deutsche BankOne of the initial users of the new blockchain payment system, Pontes.
  • Santander GroupOne of the initial users of the new blockchain payment system, Pontes.
  • ClearstreamA clearing giant and one of the initial users of the new blockchain payment system.

Possible ripples

Who this could reach next, traced step by step from the reporting. Possibilities worth considering, not forecasts.

How it developed

Newest first. Tap a step to see who reported it.
  1. The ECB is connecting blockchain markets, including Ethereum, to payment infrastructure through new services involving Deutsche Bank and Santander.Sub-event
  2. ECB official urges central banks to go on-chain as major banks adopt blockchain platforms.1 source

Keep exploring

The entities involved

Coverage

Newest first; wire copies grouped