ECB's Pontes Goes Live as Four Day-One DLT Platforms Connect, Including an XRPL-Derived Operator
ECB's Pontes bridge went live September 21, linking four DLT platforms to TARGET rails, one built on XRPL-derived tech; ECB also plans to invest in tokenized securities via Pontes.
Why it matters
Pontes gives DLT platforms and banks a route to settle tokenized securities in central-bank money, and the ECB now plans to use the same rail for a slice of its own-funds portfolio. If adopted in the MiCA review, the ESCB's proposal would shift where stablecoin issuers keep reserves and how quickly they must be able to access them. No purchases have been executed yet, and Pontes is only expected to be fully implemented by 2028.
Where the sources disagree
Day-one operator name spelling
Axiology
CoinGape
Axology
Crypto News (CryptoNews.net)
CoinGape writes the XRPL-derived operator's name as Axiology while Crypto News writes Axology; neither outlet flags the other spelling, and both describe the same company.
Figures that do not reconcile
Found by comparing the numbers in the reports automatically. They are differences, not yet confirmed to be about the same thing.
size of the holdings (reserves)
60%
Cointelegraph
30%
Crypto.News
Cointelegraph reports 60%, Crypto.News reports 30% (50% apart).
reported flows (deposits)
30%
Crypto News Flash
60%
Crypto.News
Crypto News Flash reports 30%, Crypto.News reports 60% (50% apart).
Key facts
The ECB's Pontes wholesale settlement bridge went live on September 21, and ECB President Christine Lagarde confirmed the launch after the Eurogroup meeting.
Reported by CoinGape
Axiology, a Lithuanian DLT firm founded by former Bank of Lithuania board member Marius Jurgilas, runs a permissioned network derived from XRP Ledger code, over which tokenized assets settle against central-bank euros through Pontes.
Reported by CoinGape
Cash settles through Pontes in euro central-bank money, not in public XRP.
Reported by CoinGape
The ECB said on September 21 it is preparing to invest a small portion of its own-funds portfolio in tokenized euro-denominated securities, with purchases settling in central-bank money through Pontes.
Reported by CoinDesk
Initial eligible issuers are euro-area central and regional governments, public agencies and European supranational institutions.
Reported by Decrypt
The European System of Central Banks proposed replacing MiCA's mandatory 30% and 60% stablecoin bank-deposit floors with minimum shares of reserve assets maturing within one and five working days.
60 %Disputed figureReported by Cointelegraph
CoinDesk reported that Pontes is expected to be fully implemented by 2028.
Reported by CoinDesk
What happened
The ECB's Pontes wholesale settlement bridge went live on September 21, and ECB President Christine Lagarde confirmed the launch after the Eurogroup meeting. CoinGape listed the four day-one operators as Clearstream, SWIAT, Cashlink and Axiology — Crypto News spells the name Axology — and reported that Axiology, a Lithuanian firm founded by former Bank of Lithuania board member Marius Jurgilas, runs a permissioned network derived from XRP Ledger code; the cash leg still settles in euro central-bank money, not in public XRP. Crypto News alone quotes Lagarde saying 'It's the beginning, not the finish' and pairing Pontes with a full digital euro pilot planned for around mid-2027. Also on September 21, the ECB said it is preparing to invest a small portion of its own-funds portfolio in tokenized euro-denominated securities issued by euro-area governments, public agencies and supranational institutions, with purchases settling through Pontes. Separately, the European System of Central Banks proposed in its response to the European Commission's review of MiCA that mandatory bank-deposit floors of 30% and 60% for stablecoin reserves be replaced with minimum shares of reserves maturing within one and five working days.
How the story developed
- Official statement
ECB announces plan to buy tokenized securities via Pontes
The ECB said it is preparing to invest a small portion of its own funds in tokenized euro-denominated securities, settling through Pontes.
- First report
First report by CoinGape
ECB’s Pontes Goes Live as One of Four Day-One DLT Platforms Runs on XRP Ledger Tech
- Update
Pontes goes live and Lagarde confirms the launch
The ECB's wholesale settlement bridge went live September 21; Lagarde confirmed it after the Eurogroup meeting.
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by CoinDesk
ECB plans to buy tokenized bonds with its own funds
- Update
CoinDesk adds 2028 horizon and Cipollone quote
CoinDesk reported Pontes is expected to be fully implemented by 2028 and quoted ECB executive board member Piero Cipollone.
- Official statement
ESCB files MiCA review response
The European System of Central Banks proposed liquidity thresholds to replace the stablecoin bank-deposit floors.
- Update
Crypto News adds digital-euro pilot detail
A syndicated report quotes Lagarde saying a full digital euro pilot is planned for around mid-2027.
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 21 Sept 2026, 09:49 UTC: CoinGape — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 21 Sept 2026, 15:00 UTC: CoinDesk — 2 independent sources, 2 reports
- 21 Sept 2026, 19:00 UTC: Decrypt — 3 independent sources, 3 reports
- 21 Sept 2026, 20:28 UTC: Crypto News (CryptoNews.net) — 4 independent sources, 4 reports
- 22 Sept 2026, 02:30 UTC: NewsBTC — 5 independent sources, 5 reports
- 22 Sept 2026, 11:22 UTC: Cointelegraph — 6 independent sources, 6 reports
- 22 Sept 2026, 11:50 UTC: Crypto News Flash — 7 independent sources, 8 reports
- 22 Sept 2026, 16:39 UTC: Crypto.News — 8 independent sources, 10 reports
Affected entities
Also mentioned: Bitcoin, European Union, Chainlink, Coinbase, USD Coin, JPMorgan, Kraken
Original sources
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