ECB advances DLT-based transaction settlement, plans pilot launch in 2026

According to ChainCatcher, citing a report from CoinDesk, the European Central Bank's Governing Council has approved two research initiatives focused on settling distributed ledger technology (DLT) transactions using central bank funds, aiming to enhance the efficiency of payment systems. The short-term project, "Pontes," will connect DLT platforms to TARGET services and is expected to launch a pilot in the third quarter of 2026. The long-term project, "Appia," will focus on global operations and analysis of DLT solutions. The central bank stated that this move demonstrates its commitment to supporting innovation while ensuring the safety and efficiency of financial infrastructure.