EZB setzt auf Krypto-Technik: Europas Währungshüter digitalisieren Wertpapierhandel

In a significant leap towards the digital future of finance, the European Central Bank (EZB) and the national central banks of the Eurozone have launched a new platform called "Pontes." This innovative platform aims to enable financial institutions to trade digital securities directly with central bank money, ensuring secure and efficient transactions.

The EZB has also announced plans to invest in some of these digital securities themselves, allowing the bank to test the technology firsthand. Traditional securities trading currently involves a chain of intermediaries, including exchanges, clearinghouses, and specialized banks. By tokenizing assets into digital tokens on blockchain technology, these processes can be streamlined into a single, automated operation.

Blockchain technology, primarily known as the foundation for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, is now increasingly making its way into regulated finance. This shift promises to save time, reduce costs, and lower risks in the retail sector. At the core of "Pontes" is a risk-free and stable currency from the central bank, which acts as a bridge between blockchain networks and traditional central bank money.

EZB President Christine Lagarde emphasized that the Eurosystem is working to integrate the European financial market into a more innovative and crisis-resilient digital age. According to EZB Director Piero Cipollone, "Pontes" provides the necessary stability and confidence to bring this digital financial world to the forefront. Major banks, including Deutsche Bank, BayernLB, DZ Bank, and development banks like KfW and the European Investment Bank, are already on board "Pontes" or preparing to join.

To validate the practicality of the platform, the EZB plans to invest a portion of its own funds, primarily from its operational budget, in tokenized securities. This will enable the bank to gain first-hand experience with the entire lifecycle of digital securities and send a strong signal to the financial sector in Europe.