The video explains the launch of Pontes, the Eurosystem's new infrastructure that links blockchain‑based tokenized financial assets to central bank money through the TARGET/T2 real‑time settlement system. It describes how Pontes enables delivery‑versus‑payment (DvP) so that a tokenized bond and the euro payment are exchanged simultaneously. The system went live on September 21, 2026 with an initial cohort of major banks (Deutsche Bank, Santander, European Investment Bank) and infrastructure providers (Clearstream, SWIAT). The initial service is limited, with additional features, longer operating hours, and full implementation planned for 2028. Access is restricted to eligible wholesale institutions and approved operators.
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Europe's tokenized markets just gained a payment connection to central bank money. That puts the infrastructure behind the euro into the process of settling blockchain-based financial transactions right now. The system is called Pontes. The euro system launched its own on September 21st with an initial group of bankers and market operators. Imagine a bank buying a tokenized bond The seller needs to deliver the bond. The buyer needs to deliver the actual money. Putting the bond on a blockchain handles one part. You also need a way to incorporate payments so the asset and the money actually arrive together. The European Bank describes Pontes as a connection between market blockchain platforms and Target, its payment infrastructure. The design supports delivery versus payment. In everyday language, basically the asset moves when the payment moves. The point is to make the exchange work as a coordinated transaction. For the cash side, the final settlement happens in T2, the Eurosystem's real-time settlement system. That's a piece worth understanding. You got to understand that a tokenized market can connect to a public settlement money while using new technology for for the asset side. There— and there's major institutions behind this launch. The onboarded group includes Deutsche Bank, Santander, and the European Investment Bank. The infrastructure providers include Clearstream and SWIAT, and their inclusion establishes that they are connected and ready. It doesn't tell us how much they've traded. The initial service is limited More features and longer operating hours are coming gradually, with full implementation expected by 2028. Access is for eligible wholesale institutions and approved infrastructure operators.
