Global Market: ECB launches blockchain payment service, to invest in digital securities

The European Central Bank has launched a new service connecting its payment infrastructure with blockchain-based financial markets, while also announcing plans to invest a small portion of its own funds in digital securities, Reuters reported.

The initiatives mark a broader push by central banks to adapt to the increasing use of blockchain technology in financial markets. Blockchain allows assets to be issued, transferred and traded through shared digital ledgers, potentially reducing the need for traditional market infrastructure.

The ECB's new service, called Pontes, enables banks and investors to settle blockchain-based transactions using central bank money in euros. This is intended to provide an alternative to stablecoins and other forms of privately issued digital money for settling transactions involving tokenised assets, Reuters reported.

Major banks among first users

According to Reuters, the first group of participants to complete onboarding includes Deutsche Bank, Santander and clearing house Clearstream. These institutions will be able to use Pontes from its launch.

The platform will initially be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central European Time on business days. The ECB plans to expand the service and its operating capabilities over time as adoption develops.

The central bank sees blockchain as having the potential to make financial transactions faster and more efficient by combining different stages of an asset's lifecycle and enabling greater automation.

ECB to invest in blockchain-based bonds

The ECB also plans to allocate a small portion of its EUR 23 billion in own funds to blockchain-based securities, Reuters reported.

The investments will focus on highly rated, euro-denominated debt issued by public institutions. The move would give the central bank direct exposure to tokenised financial assets while allowing it to gain practical experience with blockchain-based markets.

ECB Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel had previously argued that central banks should increase their involvement with blockchain-based financial infrastructure, saying that greater use of the technology could reduce dependence on privately operated digital alternatives, Reuters said in the report.

Central banks explore blockchain

The ECB is not alone in examining the use of blockchain for financial-market infrastructure. The Swiss National Bank is conducting Project Helvetia, which explores the use of wholesale central bank digital money for settling securities transactions.

The Bank of England is also testing blockchain-related applications through its Digital Securities Sandbox, which allows market participants and regulators to examine how digital technologies can be used in securities markets, Reuters reported.

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Meanwhile, the ECB is developing a digital euro for consumers as part of efforts to strengthen Europe's payments infrastructure and reduce reliance on non-European payment networks.

The central bank aims to launch the digital euro in 2029, adding a retail component to its broader exploration of blockchain and digital forms of money.

(Disclaimer: This article is based on inputs from agencies. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)