Axiology joins ECB’s Pontes launch and Appia group

By Milan Rojan

European Central Bank (ECB) has selected Axiology to participate in the initial launch of Pontes, the Eurosystem initiative connecting distributed ledger technology (DLT) platforms with TARGET Services. The digital asset infrastructure provider has also joined the ECB’s Appia Contact Group, which has been established to support the longer-term development of tokenised financial markets.

Axiology was included among four DLT operators on the ECB’s Pontes list, alongside Clearstream, SWIAT and Cashlink. The company has been preparing to connect its regulated DLT Trading and Settlement System (DLT TSS) with Eurosystem payment infrastructure.

Marius Jurgilas, CEO of Axiology, said, “Tokenization will only deliver meaningful change to European capital markets if digital securities can connect effectively with the infrastructure institutions already rely on. Pontes is an important step in making that connection possible today, while Appia looks further ahead to how a more integrated tokenised financial ecosystem could develop. For Axiology, participating in both is an opportunity to help demonstrate how regulated DLT infrastructure can become part of the wider European financial system.”

Under the Pontes model, tokenised securities have remained recorded and transferred on DLT infrastructure, while the corresponding cash leg has been settled in central bank money. Axiology has been testing settlement scenarios covering primary issuance, secondary-market transactions, redemptions and coupon or interest payments.

The ECB’s Pontes initiative has focused on connecting DLT-based market infrastructure with TARGET Services, while Appia has been designed to support the longer-term development of a more integrated tokenised financial ecosystem. The Appia Contact Group has brought together market participants to provide input into the development of both initiatives and the wider Appia roadmap.

Axiology has been progressing through Pontes testing and certification ahead of the initial launch scheduled for 21 September 2026. Production participation remains subject to operational requirements, final certification and necessary regulatory approvals.