Europe to accelerate tokenized capital markets with ‘Pontes’ bridge launch: Details
Europe is accelerating its tokenized capital markets strategy with the planned launch of 'Pontes,' a bridge designed to connect the current fragmented private blockchain networks. The European Central Bank (ECB) identifies platform fragmentation and the lack of a single trusted on-chain settlement asset as key challenges. It views the growing reliance on private stablecoins, like USDC, as a risk to monetary sovereignty and liquidity. The ECB asserts that central bank money is the safest settlement asset and is pushing for its use. Pontes, part of the broader Appia roadmap, is scheduled for Q3 2026 and is a step toward a full EU tokenized market framework by 2028. This initiative aims to protect the EU's market and monetary authority as tokenization moves toward mass adoption, countering U.S. dominance in the sector. The ECB is also concurrently advancing its digital euro project.
ambcrypto03/24 11:03
