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Jul 1, 2025, 10:13 p.m.
- The European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council has approved two sets of work that will use central bank money to settle distributed ledger technology (DLT) transactions.
- The ECB has been exploring how to utilize DLT technology to make its payment system more efficient.
The European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council has approved research efforts that will use central bank money to settle distributed ledger technology (DLT) transactions, as the body looks to make its payment systems more efficient.
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One short term approach is called “Pontes” which will link DLT platforms with Eurosystem TARGET services that ensure the flow of cash and securities across Europe. A pilot will be launched by the third quarter of 2026. A more long term solution called “Appia” will facilitate global operations and analyze DLT-based solutions, on Tuesday.
“The decision is in line with the Eurosystem’s commitment to supporting innovation without compromising on safety and efficiency in financial market infrastructures,” the release said.
The ECB has been exploring how to utilize DLT technology to boost payments settlement, something which . It conducted exploratory work on wholesale central bank money settlement between May and November 2024. A on the results of this work was also published on Tuesday that identified DLT having benefits such as reducing costs and countering credit and settlement risks.
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Camomile Shumba is a CoinDesk regulatory reporter based in the UK. Previously, Shumba interned at Business Insider and Bloomberg. Camomile has featured in Harpers Bazaar, Red, the BBC, Black Ballad, Journalism.co.uk, Cryptopolitan.com and South West Londoner.
Shumba studied politics, philosophy and economics as a combined degree at the University of East Anglia before doing a postgraduate degree in multimedia journalism. While she did her undergraduate degree she had an award-winning radio show on making a difference. She does not currently hold value in any digital currencies or projects.
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