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Rizwan Ansari
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Sohrab KhawasSohrab is a passionate cryptocurrency news writer with over five years of experience covering the industry. He keeps a keen interest in blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionize finance. Whether he's trading or writing, Sohrab always keeps his finger on the pulse of the crypto world, using his expertise to deliver informative and engaging articles that educate and inspire. When he's not analyzing the markets, Sohrab indulges in his hobbies of graphic design, minimal design or listening to his favorite hip-hop tunes.
- Mar 24, 2026 10:53 UTC
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ECB Says Stablecoins Need Central Bank Backing to Scale
ECB warns stablecoins need central bank backing to safely scale Europe’s tokenized financial markets.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has warned that stablecoins and tokenized deposits need to be tied to central bank money if Europe wants digital markets to grow safely.
The plan aims to improve crypto-related financial infrastructure, allow faster and safer settlement, and ensure deposits have a trusted anchor to reduce risks.
ECB Pushes Tokenized Finance to Build Europe’s Digital Asset Market
At a recent speech in Brussels, ECB executive board member Piero Cipollone said that tokenized markets are growing, with about €4 billion in digital bonds issued since 2021
These assets are built using distributed ledger technology, allowing issuance, trading, settlement, and custody within one digital system.
Meanwhile, tokenization turns traditional assets into blockchain tokens, allowing faster settlement, automated payments, and more transparency. Thus, the ECB believes this tokenized model can reduce friction and make activity more efficient.
However, officials said the system still has problems, like separate platforms and the lack of a trusted on-chain settlement asset.
Central Bank Money as the Foundation for Digital Markets
Therefore, the ECB highlighted that tokenized financial markets in Europe won’t scale without a public settlement anchor, meaning central bank money issued on a digital platform.
To address this, the Eurosystem is preparing a new initiative called “Pontes,” expected to launch in the third quarter of 2026. The system will connect blockchain platforms with central bank money, enabling tokenized assets to settle securely.
This could also support stablecoin interoperability and improve crypto-linked financial infrastructure.
Why Regulators Are Pushing for Clear Rules
Industry groups and banks have also been calling for clearer rules around tokenized money and stablecoins. Europe’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA) already provides a legal base for digital assets, but experts say more work is needed to support this new infrastructure.
However, Europe is also under pressure to keep up with global trends. U.S.‑linked stablecoins dominate the global market, and some ECB officials worry this could weaken Europe’s monetary autonomy if left unchecked.
The stablecoin market currently has a total value of $320 billion, with USDT holding the largest share.
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FAQs
The ECB wants stablecoins linked to central bank money to ensure safety, trust, and stable value, reducing risks and enabling secure growth of digital markets.
Pontes is a planned system to connect blockchain platforms with central bank money, enabling safe and efficient settlement of tokenized assets across Europe.
Tokenization makes transactions faster, more transparent, and automated, reducing costs and delays while improving overall efficiency in financial systems.
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