Focus Session - Preparing the go-live of Pontes
Wednesday, 22 July 2026 9:30-11:30
Online event
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Programme
- 9:20
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Registration and login
- 9:30
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Practical information
- 9:40
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Welcome address
The Eurosystem is exploring a long-term vision for a future-ready, integrated financial ecosystem that leverages tokenisation and distributed ledger technology (DLT). The first deliverable is Pontes a new Eurosystem’s DLT solution that links market DLT platforms and TARGET Services to settle DLT-based wholesale transactions in central bank money. Learn more about the current status of the project and what should be in focus prior to its launch.
- André Brunner, Programme Manager, ECB
- 9:50
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Timeline, use cases and key milestones ahead
Gain insight on the timeline, use cases and key milestones of the Pontes project until its launch and what is expected beyond.
- George Kalogeropoulos, Deputy Head of Market Infrastructure Development Division, ECB
- 10:15
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User testing and Onboarding
The Pontes functionalities are currently being tested by the Eurosystem and the start of users testing is scheduled for August 2026. To participate in the testing of the initial launch of Pontes, certain preparatory steps are required. Learn more about how to prepare for user testing and onboarding and explore the key aspects of each.
- Vitus Rossmann, Expert, Market Infrastructure Support Division, ECB
- 10:40
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Operational and Legal aspects
The participants need to prepare for operational and legal aspects. Learn more about the operational and legal framework for Pontes go-live.
- Matej Mesar, Adviser, Market Infrastructure Management Division, ECB
- 11:00
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Latest developments in the Appia programme
The Appia roadmap, published in March 2026, sets out the vision for developing a European tokenised financial ecosystem. Following a public consultation, stakeholders have provided valuable feedback and proposals to guide the next phase of analytical and practical work.
This session will present initial insights from the consultation, outline key elements of the forthcoming practical work, and highlight how continued collaboration with market participants will shape the programme. It will also emphasise the central role of standardisation as an enabler of progress in the work ahead.
- André Brunner, Programme Manager, ECB
- 11:20
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Closing remarks
- André Brunner, Programme Manager, ECB
- 11:30
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End of event
This programme may be subject to change without notice.
Audiovisual notice: The entire Focus Session will be livestreamed, recorded and published on the ECB’s website shortly after the event, together with the slides presented.