The European Central Bank has named Clearstream, SWIAT, Cashlink and Axiology as the first DLT operators for Pontes, its platform linking distributed ledger infrastructure to central bank money settlement, ahead of the September 2026 launch.
The providers will connect regulated tokenised securities infrastructure directly with settlement in Eurosystem central bank money, part of the ECB’s push toward a more integrated tokenised financial ecosystem.
Pontes and Appia are the two complementary strands of the Eurosystem’s tokenisation strategy: Pontes links DLT platforms to TARGET Services, while Appia targets longer-term infrastructure development. Axiology has been selected for both, and will also join Appia’s launch.
A new Appia Contact Group, replacing the former Pontes Market Contact Group and New Technologies for Wholesale Settlement Contact Group, begins work in September 2026 to coordinate engagement across both initiatives.
The ECB said the operator list will be updated as more providers complete registration.
