Eurosystem launches Pontes for tokenised asset settlement in central bank money
On 21 September 2026 the Eurosystem launched Pontes, a solution allowing wholesale transactions in tokenised assets to be settled in central bank money. It is the first initiative under the Eurosystem's strategy for tokenised finance, with an initial core set of services to be expanded gradually and full implementation expected by 2028. An initial group of banks, market infrastructures and DLT operators has completed onboarding and can start using the service immediately.
Related updates
ECB to invest own funds in tokenised securities settled via Pontes
The ECB has launched preparatory work to invest a small portion of its own funds in tokenised securities, settled in central bank money via Pontes, the Eurosystem's DLT settlement solution launched on 21 September 2026. Initial investments will target euro-denominated securities issued by euro area public sector entities and European supranationals. Operational details and timing will be decided later by the ECB Executive Board.
21 Sep 2026
ECB Consumer Expectations Survey results – August 2026
On 18 September 2026, the ECB published its Consumer Expectations Survey for August 2026. Euro-area consumers’ inflation expectations increased across all horizons, with expectations for the next 12 months rising to 3.0%, while expected economic growth remained at -1.2%. Expected unemployment decreased to 11.0%, while expectations for income, spending, house prices and mortgage rates remained broadly unchanged. The release does not introduce regulatory requirements and is therefore mainly relevant as economic and financial-stability context rather than as a core regulatory-watch item.
18 Sep 2026
ECB's Vujčić: Energy Prices Dominate Inflation Outlook, No Forward Guidance
In an interview with Reuters published on 18 September 2026, ECB Vice-President Boris Vujčić said that rising energy prices are now the main driver of market expectations for the interest rate path, following the latest Eurosystem projections. He reiterated that the ECB provides no forward guidance and decides meeting by meeting on the basis of a broad set of data. He also highlighted the more persistent inflation impact of gas prices, projected food inflation peaking at 3.4% in Q3 2027, and the ongoing transmission of monetary policy to lending and funding costs.
18 Sep 2026