ECB to Invest Own Funds in Tokenized Securities via New Pontes Settlement Service

The European Central Bank said on Monday, September 21, 2026, that it has begun preparations to invest a portion of its own funds in tokenized securities, settling transactions through its newly launched Pontes service. The ECB did not disclose the investment amount or a start date. Initial purchases will target tokenized, euro-denominated securities issued by euro-area governments, public agencies and European supranational institutions. The assets, conventional securities such as bonds recorded on a distributed ledger, will settle in central bank money through the Eurosystem's Pontes platform. The funds will come from the ECB's own-funds portfolio, which generates income for operating expenses unrelated to supervisory duties. Pontes is part of a Eurosystem strategy to adapt central bank money for digital markets and will operate alongside Appia, a separate tokenized-ecosystem initiative. Pontes combines three tested systems, settles via cash tokens or the T2 payment system, and uses a Hash-Link protocol to synchronize asset transfers and payments.